Hail, Tornadoes, Heavy Wind Possible With Severe MD Storm System

MARYLAND — A slow storm system capable of producing tornadoes and hail is targeting the East Coast, including Maryland, AccuWeather forecasters say.

After storms leave Texas and Louisiana Wednesday, downpours are expected to start ahead of a cold front along the East Coast on Thursday, according to AccuWeather.

However, the National Weather Service predicted Baltimore could see a storm after 3 a.m. Wednesday.

"The severe weather risk will continue to shift eastward along the southern Atlantic Seaboard. Storms may exit quickly Thursday morning in northeastern Florida, Georgia and much of the Carolinas. However, the threat may ramp up again due to the warmth of the afternoon from northeastern North Carolina to the mid-Atlantic," AccuWeather reported.

Heavy wind, hail, flash flooding and tornadoes are possible hazards with the severe weather set to travel through Maryland and the mid-Atlantic states.

The National Weather Service forecasts the showers overnight Wednesday to bring a cloudy sky and light, variable wind.

While rain chances average 60 percent other days, Thursday night has a 100 percent chance for rain in parts of Maryland, such as Baltimore, College Park and Bel Air. Breezy conditions are possible.

AccuWeather said Tuesday major cities like Port Arthur, Texas and Jackson, Mississippi, were at risk for severe weather.

"We believe there will be double-digit tornadoes produced by the severe weather outbreak, and multiple tornadoes could be on the ground at the same time on Wednesday despite less-than-perfect atmospheric conditions," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said in a report.

Along the East Coast, severe weather could also target Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida.

Here is the latest the National Weather Service forecast for Baltimore:

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Southeast wind around 6 mph.

Tuesday Night: Showers likely, mainly after 3 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 60. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Showers likely, mainly before 11 a.m. Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers, mainly between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Thursday: Showers, mainly after 2 p.m. High near 75. Southeast wind 6-14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 61. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent.

Friday: Showers likely, mainly before 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Friday Night: A chance of showers before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Breezy.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.