Potent Storms Target MD Thursday: See Latest Forecast, Timing

MARYLAND — Locally potent storms could bring heavy rains and damaging winds to parts of Maryland on Thursday before giving way to dry conditions through the weekend, according to the latest forecasts.

A hazardous weather outlook is currently in effect for areas along the Chesapeake Bay, the Tidal Potomac River, and the I-95 corridor through central Maryland, according to the National Weather Service.

Counties affected include Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Cecil, Prince George's, Charles, St. Marys, Calvert, Montgomery, Howard and Harford.

The Baltimore area is among several regions expected to be impacted by "drenching and disruptive thunderstorms" Thursday, according to Accuweather meteorologists.

"The major metro areas of Washington, D.C. and Baltimore are currently in the zone where thunderstorms may go above and beyond garden-variety intensity with frequent lightning, damaging wind gusts and downpours heavy enough to lead to flash flooding," Accuweather meteorologists wrote in a Thursday forecast.

The strongest storms could bring damaging wind gusts up to 65 mph, forecasts said. Storms are most likely to occur between 2-8 p.m., according to CBS Baltimore.

Ahead of possible storms, Marylanders should expect showers to persist through the first half of Thursday. Clouds will break up around midday before storms develop later in the day, according to the Capital Weather Gang's latest forecast.

"Once the sun sets, any lingering showers and storms should die out," the Capital Weather Gang wrote. "Light winds shift to come out of the northwest and skies gradually clear overnight."

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

Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. West wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. North wind around 6 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Light north wind.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Light and variable wind becoming east around 6 mph in the morning.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 92.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75.