Tornado, Hail Possible In MD As Highs In Upper 90s Brew Thunderstorms

MARYLAND — A hot day will brew thunderstorms that could bring a tornado, hail and flash flooding to Maryland Thursday afternoon and evening. The heat index could hit 100 degrees. Much of the state is under a hazardous weather outlook and an air quality alert.

The worst of the storm is forecasted to land along and west of Interstate 81, which runs through Hagerstown.

A brief isolated tornado and hail up to an inch in diameter are possible in this area, the National Weather Service said.

Damaging winds could exceed 60 mph, downing trees and powerlines.

There's also a chance of localized flash flooding in places with poor drainage.

The storm could reach the Interstate-95 corridor, but this region is expected to see less damage. The National Weather Service said there's marginal risk in this area.

"Isolated to scattered thunderstorms capable of producing strong wind gusts are possible over the waters from late afternoon through late evening, and possibly tonight," the National Weather Service said in its Thursday hazardous weather outlook. "Special Marine Warnings may be needed for portions of the waters."

The hazardous weather outlook covers:

• Cecil County
• Southern Baltimore
• Prince George's County
• Anne Arundel County
• Charles County
• St. Mary's County
• Calvert County
• Central and Southeast Montgomery County
• Central and Southeast Howard County
• Southeast Harford County

At least three rounds of downpours and thunderstorms will move slowly from the central Appalachians to the mid-Atlantic coast and New England Thursday through Tuesday, AccuWeather reported.

"On Friday, the potential for storms packing heavy rain and flash flooding will extend from New England to the Interstate 95 corridor of the mid-Atlantic region," AccuWeather said.

At this time, it appears the greatest risk for flooding rainfall in the Northeast will be from late Saturday night to Sunday evening. Torrential rain may be more spotty farther to the southwest, but cities from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia along I-95 could be hit with some of the most significant rain of the entire weather pattern during this weekend, the agency said.

The Maryland Department of the Environment issued a code orange air quality alert Thursday for the Baltimore City metropolitan area and the Annapolis region.

"Air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups," the National Weather Service said in the air quality alert. "Sensitive groups include children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors."

Here's the National Weather Service forecast for Maryland from BWI Airport in Linthicum:

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 100. South wind 7 to 13 mph.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. South wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 9pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and 3am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. South wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 92.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72.

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.