Severe Thunderstorm Watch, Wind Advisory Issued For Anne Arundel

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A severe thunderstorm watch and a wind advisory have been issued for Anne Arundel County.

The National Weather Service first issued a severe thunderstorm warning for several counties across Maryland after a line of thunderstorms appeared around noon, running from Manchester to New Market. However, when those storms moved toward central Maryland, the warning was downgraded to a watch for Anne Arundel County. That watch remains in effect until 4 p.m.

A thunderstorm watch means residents should be aware that there is a possibility for further storms, but that they are not in any immediate danger.

Meanwhile, a wind advisory is also in effect until 5 p.m. The NWS says residents across the county should be prepared for west winds of between 20 to 30 miles per hour, with gusts up to 50 miles per hour. They're warning that the storm could blow around debris and tree branches, possibly causing power outages.

Storms are expected to clear off by Thursday night. Little rainfall is expected in most areas.

The weather service asks that everyone is extra cautious driving in the wind, and that residents secure anything they may have left outside their homes, or risk it blowing away.

Here's the latest forecast from the weather service:

Thursday Afternoon: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 2pm. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds. High near 70. Breezy, with a northwest wind 16 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Breezy, with a west wind 16 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Northwest wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 58. West wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.

Sunday: A chance of rain after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night: A chance of rain and thunderstorms, then rain and possibly a thunderstorm after 8pm. Low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 100%.