Storms, Showers Likely To Cool Off MD After Record Heat: Forecast

MARYLAND — After a sweltering Wednesday for parts of Maryland and the greater Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area, Thursday will be cooler as showers and storms move into the region, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures reached a scorching 101 degrees in D.C. on Wednesday, while Baltimore recorded a high of 99 degrees. Thursday will bring a bit of relief — expect to see high temperatures around 89 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

By mid-morning, however, rain and thunderstorms were forecast to move into the region and continue throughout the day, forecasters said.

Isolated showers and thunderstorms were expected before 11 a.m. and will become more likely. after 2 p.m. Cloudy conditions will persist with rain and storms picking up again between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

A hazardous weather outlook was in effect Thursday for the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, the Tidal Potomac River and the I-95 corridor. According to the NWS, Thursday's thunderstorms could produce isolated instances of damaging winds and flash flooding this afternoon and evening.

Looking ahead to Labor Day, the area will see showers and temperatures in the 80s over the weekend before skies clear on Sunday, NWS says. The holiday will be sunny with a high near 83.

"The best chance for showers and storms comes later today and possibly again Saturday afternoon and evening. There are shower chances on Friday and Sunday, too, but they should be pretty isolated allowing plenty of outdoor time," the Capital Weather Gang said in its latest forecast. "Labor Day looks like the first safely dry day so fire up the grill."

Air quality has also improved in the Baltimore area. On Wednesday, the region was under a Code Orange alert for the third consecutive day. That meant that people with some health issues needed to avoid outside activities.

Air quality on Thursday was good, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment.

Here is the detailed National Weather Service forecast for the Baltimore region:

Thursday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 11am, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 80. East wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 8 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday: A chance of showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Labor Day: Sunny, with a high near 83.