MD Weather: How Tropical Storm Chris Will Affect Maryland

BALTIMORE, MD — Tropical Storm Chris is expected to bring dangerous surf conditions and rip currents to Maryland waters after it becomes a hurricane late Monday night or Tuesday morning, with the storm currently churning about 200 miles of the coast of North Carolina. But the storm will be too far off-shore and will not directly impact Maryland when it passes by midweek, although showers and thunderstorms are possible.

The National Weather Service said Chris is likely to pass well east of Maryland on Wednesday. There are beach hazard and rip current hazard messages Monday night for the state's beaches from Ocean City south to Assateague. Breaking waves of 3 to 4 ft will result in rough surf conditions and a high risk of rip currents.

"Long-period swells from Tropical System Chris will cause an enhanced risk for the development of dangerous rip currents through, at least, the middle of the week," according to the National Weather Service.
Indeed, the Coast Guard has warned mariners and beachgoers of hazardous weather that could take place as Tropical Storm Chris makes its way up the East Coast.

Swells generated by Chris are expected to increase and affect portions of the coasts of North Carolina and the mid-Atlantic states during the next few days. These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, the NWS warns.

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Wind, waves and visibility can quickly become problematic for boaters, while the increased sea states leading up to and after a tropical storm can create powerful rip currents that can pull even the strongest swimmer away from the shore. Swimmers are urged to only swim at beaches with active duty lifeguards and to follow local advisories at their beach for beach closures and rip currents.

AccuWeatherRecreational and commercial mariners are advised to put safety first and operate within their vessel's parameters and not to go out in heavy weather, the Coast Guard says.

"Rip currents are serious risk in the mid-Atlantic. If you head to the beach, pay attention to the local beach advisories and check the weather forecast before you go," said Matt Brooks, command duty officer at the 5th District command center. "There have been numerous deaths this year due to rip currents. Swim at a beach with a lifeguard and do not swim after hours."

Here are some other points made by the Coast Guard:

• Rip currents are a significant threat along the mid-Atlantic coast, primarily along the southern Outer Banks in North Carolina, in Maryland waterways and off the shore.
• The most important safety precaution people should take regarding rip currents is to swim only at beaches where lifeguards are on duty. Lifeguards are highly trained and are the first line of defense when beachgoers are swept away by rip currents. Don't take the risk of swimming at an unguarded beach.
• The presence of rip currents along our coasts is another reason people should wear life jackets at all times. People who fall overboard boats or overturn paddlecraft could potentially be affected by rip currents, and wearing a life jacket could help save their lives.

Here is the forecast:

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 3 to 5 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the morning.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 88. North wind 7 to 9 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. North wind 3 to 7 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.

Image via Maria Cormack-Pitts/Patch