Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued Across Maryland

MARYLAND — Storms erupted across Maryland Saturday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a slew of severe thunderstorm warnings. Lightning lit up the afternoon and evening skies, followed by piercing thunderclaps and in some cases, heavy rain, strong winds and hail.

Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued for several counties. A warning means a severe thunderstorm is occurring or is imminent.

These areas are/were under severe thunderstorm warnings (all are Saturday unless noted):

• Baltimore and Harford counties until 12:30 a.m. Sunday
• Baltimore, Carroll and Frederick counties until 11:30 p.m.
• Montgomery County until 11:15 p.m.
• Allegany, Baltimore and Carroll counties until 11 p.m.
• Frederick County until 10:45 p.m.
• Washington County until 10:15 p.m.
• Charles County until 9:30 p.m.
• Calvert and Washington counties until 9:15 p.m.
• Prince George's County until 8:45 p.m.
• Anne Arundel and Charles counties until 6 p.m.
• Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot counties until 5:45 p.m.
• Anne Arundel, Montgomery and Prince George's counties until 5:15 p.m.
• Baltimore and Howard counties until 5 p.m.
• Cecil County until 4:45 p.m.
• Carroll and Frederick counties until 4:15 p.m.
• Calvert County until 4 p.m.
• Washington County until 3:45 p.m.
• Anne Arundel, Calvert, and Prince George's counties until 3:30 p.m.
• Charles and St. Mary's counties until 3:15 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm is one with winds of at least 58 mph and/or hail at least 1 inch in diameter, according to the National Weather Service's definition.

During a severe thunderstorm warning period, people should go inside to stay safe from wind and lightning.

Do not drive underneath wooded areas until the threat has passed, as trees and branches may fall. Roads may become blocked by downed trees, and localized power outages are possible, according to the warning.

60 MPH Winds In Baltimore, Harford

A line of severe thunderstorms from Fallston to Rosedale was moving east at 35 mph, according to the severe thunderstorm warning issued, effective from 11:40 p.m. Saturday to 12:30 a.m. Sunday.

Radar showed 60 mph winds in parts of Baltimore and Harford counties.

These locations may be impacted: Middle River, Aberdeen, Havre de Grace, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Back River, Dundalk, Bel Air South, Essex, Bel Air North, Carney, Perry Hall, Rosedale, Rossville, White Marsh, Fallston, Bowleys Quarters, Riverside, Kingsville, Pleasant Hills and Perryman.

People in these areas should move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Expires

Earlier, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch — in effect for 16 counties and Baltimore City — from 2 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 29.

Afterward, there was a lull, and then more storms hit just before 9 p.m.

Additionally, a code orange air quality alert was issued for Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Howard, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot and Wicomico counties.

When officials declare a "code orange" for air quality, air pollution concentrations may become unhealthy for sensitive groups including children; older adults; and people with respiratory or heart ailments. To minimize the effects of air pollution on their health when a code orange air quality alert is in effect, people in sensitive groups should avoid strenuous activities, such as outdoor exercise.

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60 MPH Winds, Hail In Frederick And Washington Counties

At 3:05 p.m., officials said a line of severe thunderstorms extended from near Emmitsburg to near Fountainhead-Orchard Hills and was moving southeast at 30 mph.

Radar indicated 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail with the storm.

These locations may be impacted: Hagerstown, Thurmont, Emmitsburg, Robinwood, Taneytown,
Fountainhead-Orchard Hills, Smithsburg, Paramount-Long Meadow, Mount Aetna, Long Meadow, Wolfsville, Maugansville, Cavetown, Leitersburg, Sabillasville, Fort Ritchie, Chewsville, Ringgold, Middleburg and Warrenton.

"Wind damage with these storms will occur before any rain or lightning. Do not wait for the sound of thunder before taking cover. SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows," the warning states. "Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature`s leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning."

70 MPH Wind Gusts In PG, Calvert Counties

At 3:02 p.m., weather officials said that a severe thunderstorm was located over Dunkirk, or 8 miles west of Chesapeake Beach, moving southeast at 20 mph. Radar indicated the storm had 60 to 70 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail. Chesapeake Beach, Prince Frederick, Breezy Point, Dunkirk, Huntingtown, Owings, Baden, Aquasco, Calvert Beach, Friendship, Lower Marlboro, Port Republic, Sunderland and Mount Harmony may be affected.

"For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building," the severe thunderstorm warning said.

At 2:49 p.m., radar indicated 70 mph wind gusts and quarter-sized hail with a severe thunderstorm over Marlton near Upper Marlboro. The storm was moving southeast at 20 mph, according to a severe weather statement.

These locations may be impacted: Clinton, Chesapeake Beach, Prince Frederick, Breezy Point, Rosaryville, Marlton, Dunkirk, Brandywine, Huntingtown, Owings, Baden, Aquasco, Calvert Beach, Friendship, Lower Marlboro, Port Republic, Sunderland, Cheltenham and Mount Harmony.

"This is a dangerous storm," the National Weather Service warned. "Seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built structure. Abandon vehicles in search of a more substantial permanent structure. Stay away from windows."

Cecil County: Flooding Possible

At 2:11 p.m., southeastern Cecil County was under a severe thunderstorm warning. Officials said a strong thunderstorm 10 miles east of Aberdeen Proving Ground was moving east at 10 mph, and they advised people not to drive through flooded roads and to seek shelter inside a building or vehicle due to the conditions.

Torrential rainfall was occurring with the storm that may lead to flooding, and so was cloud-to-ground lightning. Radar indicated wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny-sized hail were possible. These locations may be impacted, according to the warning: Cecilton, Warwick, Hollywood Beach, Bohemias Mills and Cayots.

A flood advisory is in effect until 5:15 p.m. Saturday in southeastern Cecil County, after radar indicated up to 2 inches of rain had fallen just south of Hollywood Beach. These areas may experience flooding, according to the advisory: Cecilton, Hollywood Beach and Cayots. During a flood advisory, rivers and streams may be elevated or ponding is imminent or occurring.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch In Effect For Much Of State

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for the Baltimore-Washington area and parts of western Maryland Saturday afternoon. The National Weather Service issued the watch for 16 counties as well as Baltimore City in Maryland after 2 p.m. It remains in effect until 7 p.m.

A watch means conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms.

The following areas as well as Baltimore City are under the severe thunderstorm watch until 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 29:

• Anne Arundel
• Baltimore
• Calvert
• Caroline
• Carroll
• Cecil
• Charles
• Frederick
• Harford
• Howard
• Kent
• Montgomery
• Prince George's
• Queen Anne's
• Talbot
• Washington County

Much of the state is also under a hazardous weather outlook for scattered thunderstorms that may produce damaging wind gusts and large hail Saturday afternoon and evening. The highest-risk time is during the watch period, the weather service advised. Thunderstorms may bring heavy rainfall that could lead to flooding, according to officials.