Coastal Storm To Hit MD With Heavy Rain, Gusty Winds: See Timing

A coastal storm moving over Maryland is expected to bring heavy rain, gusty winds and cooler temperatures to parts of the state Tuesday into Wednesday, according to the latest forecasts.

Spotty sprinkles and light showers have already made it to the immediate Washington, D.C. area, but a low-pressure system moving north along the East Coast is expected to bring additional and much-needed rainfall to parts of the state experiencing abnormally dry drought conditions, the National Weather Service said in a short-range forecast discussion released Tuesday.

According to the latest AccuWeather forecast, the system is expected to bring 4 to 8 inches of rain to parts of the Mid-Atlantic, including eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia, through the middle of the week. The storm could develop tropical characteristics as it moves inland, potentially spreading rain into the Interstate 95 corridor up to New York City.

In addition to heavy rain, beach communities from North Carolina to New Jersey will likely experience rough surf, dangerous rip currents and minor to moderate coastal flooding during high tides, AccuWeather forecasters said.

"The system is forecast to stall tonight into much of Wednesday over eastern Virginia to eastern North Carolina," according to the National Weather Service. "The slow and meandering movement of the system will support potential for additional heavy rainfall amounts across northeast North Carolina into southeast Virginia and the southern Delmarva Peninsula, with two-day totals of 2-5 inches possible."

According to The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang, the Baltimore region is expected to have mostly cloudy, cooler, and breezy conditions with intermittent sprinkles and showers developing from southeast to northwest. A rumble of thunder is possible on Tuesday afternoon.

"Some areas, especially from D.C. to the northwest, may not see much rain," the Capital Weather Gang said. "Rainfall could range from about 0.25 to 0.5 inches south and east of D.C. to barely wetting the ground north and west."

By Tuesday evening into the overnight hours, showers should become more consistent region-wide and could be heavy at times, forecasters said.

Northeast winds are expected to reach 10 to 20 mph, with gusts of 20 to 35 mph possible, especially east of Interstate 95.

Cloudy skies and showers will linger into Wednesday and Wednesday night, with winds from the north and northeast at 10 to 15 mph and gusts near 25 mph.

"Storm total rainfall could range from as little as 0.25 to 0.75 inches north and west of D.C. to as much as 0.5 to 1.25 inches from D.C. to the south and east," the Capital Weather Gang said.

Here's a look at the detailed NWS forecast for the Baltimore region:

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Northeast wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tuesday Night: Showers likely, mainly between 8pm and 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. High near 68. Northeast wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 63. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 81. North wind around 6 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 85.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.