Tornadoes Possible, Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued For MD

Updated at 3:56 p.m.

MARYLAND — The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch on Wednesday afternoon for most of the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., area, which could provide a break from the unrelenting heat. The watch is in effect until 10 p.m.

Severe thunderstorms are expected on Wednesday afternoon , with a high temperature of 93 degrees, according to the NWS. Severe thunderstorms and then isolated showers will move into the area in the evening.

Damaging wind gusts are the primary threat expected, with a couple tornadoes possible, the agency said.

Cities and counties in the watch include: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's and Washington counties plus the city of Baltimore.

Marylanders will get a slight break from the heat wave on Friday.

With a high of 87 degrees, it will be the first day below 90 degrees since July 3. Daily high temperatures haven't dropped under 85 degrees since July 1.

Maryland remains under an excessive heat warning on Wednesday.

The heat index could hit 112 degrees in some areas, the National Weather Service said in its warning, calling for "dangerously hot conditions." The warning lasts until 8 p.m. Wednesday. It covers portions of central, northern and southern Maryland.

That leaves residents counting down until Friday's slightly cooler temperatures. The heat will quickly return, as Saturday and Sunday are each expected to reach the 90s.

There's also a chance of rain daily through Saturday.

Here is an hour-by-hour forecast at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, according to the National Weather Service.

The true temperature is listed first. The real-feel heat index is in parentheses.

Wednesday

• Noon - 93 (107)
• 3 p.m. - 95 (109)
• 6 p.m. - 93 (104)
• 9 p.m. - 84 (94)

Thursday

• 9 a.m. - 78 (78)
• Noon - 86 (86)
• 3 p.m. - 90 (90)
• 6 p.m. - 90 (91)
• 9 p.m. - 85 (88)

Friday

• 9 a.m. - 78 (78)
• Noon - 82 (85)
• 3 p.m. - 84 (87)
• 6 p.m. - 84 (88)
• 9 p.m. - 81 (85)

Saturday

• 9 a.m. - 78 (78)
• Noon - 86 (90)
• 3 p.m. - 91 (95)
• 6 p.m. - 90 (93)
• 9 p.m. - 84 (89)

Sunday

• 9 a.m. - 81 (85)
• Noon - 92 (96)
• 3 p.m. - 95 (98)
• 6 p.m. - 91 (94)
• 9 p.m. - 85 (90)

Here is the National Weather Service's seven-day forecast for BWI Airport:

Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 109. South wind 11 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind 6 to 14 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 93. West wind around 7 mph.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. West wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Light and variable wind becoming east around 6 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

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

Saturday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night: A chance of thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 96.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74.

Monday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99.