Maryland Weather Alert: Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued For Region

BALTIMORE, MD (Updated 2:20 p.m.) — The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for several Maryland counties and Baltimore City, from 2:15 to 2:45 p.m. on Thursday. After that, the severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect.

The severe thunderstorm warning impacts Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's counties and Baltimore City.

There are 60 mph wind gusts possible during the warning period, according to the weather service. Damaging winds may cause trees and large branches to fall, damaging homes and vehicles. Roads may be blocked, and power outages are possible.

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 5 p.m. A severe thunderstorm watch means that conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms that can produce hail and damaging winds. Isolated tornadoes are also possible. The weather service issued the weather alert at 12:45 p.m. Thursday, and it is in effect until 5 p.m.

Areas included in the severe thunderstorm watch are the city of Baltimore, plus Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s and Talbot counties. The District of Columbia and nearby Northern Virginia counties are also included in the watch.

This includes the cities of Aberdeen, Annapolis, Arnold, Aspen Hill, Bel Air, Bethesda, Bowie, California, Camp Springs, Catonsville, Clinton, College Park, Columbia, Dundalk, Edgewood, Eldersburg, Ellicott City, Essex, Fallston, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Glen Burnie, Greenbelt, Havre De Grace, Joppatowne, Laurel, Lusby, Odenton, Parkville, Pikesville, Potomac, Rockville, Severn, Severna Park and Silver Spring.

A gale warning is in effect for the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay and tidal Potomac River.

When a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is issued, you should go about your normal activities but keep an eye to the sky and an ear to the National Weather Service’s weather radio or local radio and television stations for further updates and possible warnings.

The forecast:

Thursday afternoon: Periods of showers and thunderstorms before 4pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds. High near 66. Breezy, with a southwest wind 11 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday night: A chance of showers before 8pm. Increasing clouds, with a low around 45. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Breezy, with a west wind 14 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 38. Northwest wind 11 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 68.

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