Severe Thunderstorm Warning Extended For Harford County

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — As storms with 60 mph wind gusts approach, the National Weather Service placed Harford County under a severe thunderstorm warning. An earlier warning was set to expire at 8:30 p.m.; however, the National Weather Service extended the warning until 9 p.m.

At 8:10 p.m., officials said a line of severe thunderstorms extended from Stewartstown to the area north of Cockeysville, moving east at 40 mph.

The storm was packing 60 mph winds and quarter-sized hail.

These locations may be impacted, officials say: Jarrettsville, Rising Sun, Richardsmere, West Nottingham, Octoraro, Conowingo, Rock Springs, Woodlawn, Pylesville, Darlington, Cardiff, Norrisville, Scarboro, Forest Hill, Chrome Hill, Street, Rocks, Whiteford and Hereford.

During the severe thunderstorm warning period, people should go inside to an interior room on the lowest floor to stay safe.

Wind may cause trees and large branches to fall, injuring people outside and damaging homes and vehicles. Roads could become blocked by fallen trees, and power outages are possible.

The previous severe thunderstorm warning was issued before 7:45 p.m. when radar detected a line of storms from Manchester to Westminster to Gamber that had 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-sized hail. It was moving east at 50 mph, according to officials.

The severe thunderstorm warning is in effect until 8:30 p.m. for the following:

• Northwestern Harford County
• Northwestern Baltimore County
• Northeastern Carroll County

These areas may be impacted: Monkton, Parkton, Butler, Westminster, Hampstead, Manchester, Glencoe, Carrollton, Upperco, Freeland, Lineboro, Sparks, Boring, Bentley Springs, Patapsco, Reese, Parkton, Hereford, Millers, Greenmount and Maryland Line.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Multiple weather alerts have been posted Thursday for Harford County as a front arrives from the West.

A wind advisory calling for south winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph is in effect from 2 to 8 p.m. for Harford as well as Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's, St. Mary's and Washington counties and Baltimore City.

People in these areas should be extra careful when driving, especially high-profile vehicles, and tie down any unsecured objects outside that may be blown around by the winds. Power outages and tree damage may occur, the National Weather Service advised.

The National Weather Service also placed much of Maryland under a severe thunderstorm watch, including Harford County.

Until 10 p.m., the watch is is effect for these jurisdictions: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s and Washington counties as well as Baltimore City.

Here is the forecast for Bel Air, courtesy of the National Weather Service:

Thursday: Showers. High near 67 and low of 47. Breezy, with a south wind around 24 mph and gusts as high as 44 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent; new precipitation may total 0.25 to 0.5 inch during the day, with another 0.25 to 0.5 inch overnight.

Friday: A chance of showers, mainly before 8 a.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 54 and low around 41 degrees. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 18 to 23 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.F

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 54 and low around 41 degrees. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Sunday: A chance of showers, mainly before 8 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 58 and low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58 and low around 45.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Evening showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Showers likely; chance of precipitation: 60 percent.

PREVIOUS (EXPIRED): The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook for much of the region, including Harford County. It comes as a strong front moves east from the Great Lakes, bringing storms and heavy rain to the East Coast until Friday morning.

"Hail or a few tornadoes are possible as well," the National Weather Service said in its hazardous weather outlook for Maryland.

Damaging wind gusts are the main threat, and they may strike even in the absence of severe storms, according to the hazardous weather outlook.

These areas are under the hazardous weather outlook Thursday afternoon and evening:

• Anne Arundel County
• Baltimore City
• Baltimore County
• Calvert County
• Carroll County
• Cecil County
• Charles County
• Frederick County
• Harford County
• Howard County
• Montgomery County
• Prince George's County
• St. Mary's County
• Washington County