Storm Timing Shifts For MD, Air Quality Alert In Effect Wednesday

An incoming cold front could bring storms to Maryland earlier than expected, and as oppressive heat blankets the Baltimore region on Wednesday, an air quality alert is also in effect.

The Maryland Department of the Environment issued a Code Orange air quality alert for the Baltimore metro and Annapolis region, according to the National Weather Service.

A Code Orange means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. 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.

Additionally, most of the region was under a heat advisory Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the NWS. Temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 90s, with heat index values reaching up to 109 degrees.

Meanwhile, a few isolated late-afternoon showers or thunderstorms can't be ruled out, especially west of D.C., according to the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang.

On Thursday, showers are possible in the morning, with additional showers and thunderstorms likely after 11 a.m., according to the NWS. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue through the afternoon into evening as a cold front approaches, with a threat of damaging winds and flooding, forecasters said.

"Scattered showers and storms are likely during the evening. Some storms could bring damaging winds and flooding," the Capital Weather Gang wrote. "Less intense showers and storms remain possible overnight with muggy lows in the 70s."

As the cold front exits the state, temperatures will be significantly cooler Friday and through the weekend.

Here's the detailed NWS forecast for the Baltimore area:

Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 106. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 77. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Thursday: A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 11am. Increasing clouds, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 103. Calm wind becoming southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Low around 70. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three-quarters and one inch possible.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Northeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 81.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 83.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.

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