Flood, Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued In MD: See Latest Forecast

Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to return to Maryland on Thursday, bringing the potential for damaging wind gusts, torrential rainfall and localized flooding, forecasters said.

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the greater Baltimore region, which is in effect from 2 p.m. Thursday until later this evening. A severe thunderstorm watch has also been issued for large parts of Maryland until 10 p.m.

According to forecasters, a cluster of strong-to-severe thunderstorms is likely to move across the region starting around 2 p.m. and continuing through the evening.

The system is expected to bring very heavy rainfall to the area, bringing the chance for scattered gusts of up to 70 mph, lightning, and isolated hail the size of a quarter.

"These rates could approach 2 to 3 inches per hour, with higher instantaneous rates possible," the National Weather Service wrote. "The most vulnerable locations would be urbanized areas along I-95, as well as areas that have experienced heavy rainfall in recent days."

The primary threat of severe thunderstorms ends by
the mid-evening hours as the system pushes out of the state; however, scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible on Friday, mainly after 4 p.m.

Some lingering showers are possible over the weekend, when temperatures are expected to drop.

"The true drop in humidity levels does not take place until late
in the weekend into Monday. This should offer a dry start to the upcoming work week," the National Weather Service wrote. "Eventually, above-average temperatures return to the picture toward the middle of next week."

Detailed Baltimore-Area Forecast

Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. High near 87. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then scattered showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 10pm. Low around 71. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 90. West wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. North wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.