'Monster' Storm To Dampen Halloween Festivities In MD: Latest Timing

A "monster" storm will dampen Halloween activities leading up to Friday's holiday and is expected to bring heavy rain and dangerous conditions to parts of Maryland, according to the latest forecasts.

Soon after a nor'easter exits the mid-Atlantic coast Tuesday night, the combination of Hurricane Melissa tracking offshore, a developing storm and a blast of cold air pushing into the area could create hazardous conditions and upend holiday plans during the middle and latter part of this week, AccuWeather forecasters said Tuesday.

Maryland is likely to feel most of the storm's effects from Wednesday into Thursday. In that time, more than an inch of rain is likely to fall in the Baltimore region, according to The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang.

The storm could also produce periods of windy weather, mainly late Wednesday night into Thursday morning, with some gusts up to 20 to 30 mph.

As far as specific timing, the Capital Weather Gang said spotty showers could develop Wednesday afternoon, but the steadiest rain will probably occur once the sun sets and into Thursday morning.

"A period of heavy rain and even a bit of thunder is possible, mostly between predawn and midmorning Thursday," the forecast stated. "The National Weather Service is predicting about 1.5 inches of rain. We’d lean gently toward a bit less because the storm is tracking to our west, which often means the rain is more showery than steady."

The incoming storm is also expected to continue eroding beaches from the Carolinas to New England, and it could impact travel in several mid-Atlantic states.

"The combination of drenching rain and gusty winds will slow motorists on the highways and can lead to airline delays in a busy corridor from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York City and Boston," AccuWeather forecasters said.

For those heading out with their little goblins and ghouls for trick-or-treating on Halloween, you're in luck. The coming storm should move out of Maryland by Friday, giving way to cool, clear conditions.

Here's a look at the detailed National Weather Service forecast for the Baltimore region:

Tuesday Night: Isolated showers between 9pm and 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northeast wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday: Isolated showers before 9am. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Northeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: Rain, mainly after 8pm. Low around 50. East wind around 9 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before noon, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon. High near 65. East wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. West wind around 8 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 59.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.