Severe Storms Possible In MD Ahead Of Multiple Temperature Swings

Thunderstorms are expected to target the Baltimore region on Wednesday and could bring damaging winds, large hail and possible tornadoes to parts of Maryland, according to the latest forecasts.

Well-above-normal temperatures will precede the storm, according to the National Weather Service, with temperatures in the mid-70s and possibly approaching 80 degrees on Wednesday afternoon.

This is ahead of a powerful cold front, which will bring a substantial change to the weather, forecasters said.

Severe thunderstorms are possible on Wednesday
afternoon and evening as the cold front pushes through the state.

In its latest update, the NWS Storm Prediction Center expanded the "Slight Risk" (level 2 out of 5) to include most of Maryland. It also highlighted an elevated risk of tornadoes just west of the D.C. area into the Potomac Highlands and Western Maryland.

According to forecasts, the storm's biggest impacts will be rain, damaging winds gusting between 30 and 40 mph, and large hail; however, it's uncertain how widespread they will be, The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang wrote.

"Some models show hefty storms passing by during the late afternoon and early evening. Others suggest they’ll be more spotty and concentrated to the north and west," the Capital Weather Gang wrote.

Showers are expected to linger into the morning hours on Thursday as the storm system moves through the state. This will be followed by a series of cold fronts crossing the area into
early next week, leading to multiple temperature swings.

Temperatures are expected to take a 15- to 30-degree dive on Thursday before warming again this weekend. The Baltimore region should see temperatures in the mid- to upper 50s on Saturday and then 50s to low 60s on Sunday.

Temperatures will fall again early next week, ushering in a return to more winter-like conditions.

"Next week brings another cool to cold snap by Tuesday and Wednesday, with even a chance of some wet snowflakes on Tuesday morning," the Capital Weather Gang wrote.

Here's a look at the detailed National Weather Service forecast for the Baltimore region:

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Light south wind.

Wednesday: A chance of rain after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Light south wind increasing to 6 to 11 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Wednesday Morning: A chance of rain before 11pm, then a chance of rain and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am, then rain likely after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. South wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: Rain likely, mainly before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Northwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 33.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 53.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63.