Storms Packing 60 To 80 MPH Winds Swept Through MD Monday Causing Power Outages

Updated at 10:30 p.m. Monday

MARYLAND — As strong thunderstorms rumbled through the Baltimore-DC region Monday, heavy rain and gusty winds knocked out power to more than 100,000 utility customers.

A tornado watch was issued for most of Maryland until 9 p.m. as a widespread outbreak of severe weather winds down, the National Weather Service said. Fifteen counties were included in the watch with heavy winds — possibly reaching 80 miles per hour, the speed of a category 1 hurricane — predicted.

Weather forecasters say the threats for Maryland include "damaging and locally destructive hurricane-force winds, along with the potential for large hail and tornadoes, even strong tornadoes."

At 10:30 p.m., the PowerOutage.US site said 103,614 utility customers were without power across Maryland. The most outages were in Carroll County with about 32,906, 33,119 outages in Baltimore County, and 13,158 outages in Harford County.

• Related: 132K Without Power In MD: Power Outage Tips

Ahead of the severe storms, the Office of Personnel Management said it will close federal offices at 3 p.m. Monday. “Employees should depart 2 hours earlier than their normal departure time and may request Unscheduled Leave to depart prior to their staggered departure time,” OPM said on its website. “All employees Must Depart no later than 3:00 at which time Federal offices are Closed.”

The University of Maryland's College Park campus close early at 3 p.m. due to the expected storms. In Montgomery County, the parks department said that Sligo Creek Parkway and Beach Drive have closed to vehicles due to the risk of flooding and downed trees.

The areas under the tornado watch, in effect until 9 p.m. on Monday, include Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince George's, Howard, Carroll, Frederick, Washington, Cecil, Baltimore, and Prince George's counties and Baltimore City.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued until 6:30 p.m. for Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's and Baltimore City.

The NWS said at 5:41 p.m., severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from Ellicott City to near Laurel to Potomac, moving east at 45 mph. The main hazard with the storm is 60 mph wind gusts.

Gov. Wes Moore's office urged Marylanders to pay attention to weather alerts.

Marylanders should use the following resources to follow developments:

• Monitor the weather through the U.S. National Weather Service: www.weather.gov/lwx
• Monitor road conditions via the Maryland Department of Transportation 511 and CHARTWeb: chart.maryland.gov
• Monitor power outages through the MdReady installable app and website: MdReady.maryland.gov

Given the risk for severe storms, forecasters are advising the public to pay attention to weather details as the day progresses and sign up for weather alerts.

"Now is the time to review your severe weather safety procedures for the possibility of dangerous weather today," the NWS said. "While seeking shelter indoors, go to the lowest floor to an interior room. Stay away from windows. Those in mobile homes or weaker structures should plan ahead of time to shelter in a stronger shelter. Be prepared for extended power outages, and the potential for some roads to be blocked by fallen trees."

"We want you to have yourself in a place of safety when these storms come through," said Chris Strong, of NWS' Baltimore-Washington forecast office. "To the best of your ability, monitor the warnings that come out of the National Weather Service, and either be in a safe place ahead of time or certainly ready to get to a safe place when the storms come through."

Prince George’s County government buildings will close at 3 p.m. Monday because of the stormy weather forecast. Many employees will be granted administrative leave for the number of hours they were scheduled to work. The county urged residents to stay off the roadways and stay indoors in the late afternoon and early evening hours if severe weather materializes.

"It is rare for us to be at a level four out of five for severe storm risk. The primary threat is damaging straight-line winds, but there could also be large hail or tornadoes," WBAL-TV reported Monday. "Storms are possible in the Baltimore area, mainly between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m."

The storm threats include flooding rain, frequent lightning, damaging winds and hail. A tornado is possible in the Baltimore metro region and other parts of Maryland.

AccuWeather reported Monday morning that it has been nearly five years since the NWS's Storm Prediction Center has issued a "moderate risk" for severe weather in most of the Northeast, except for Maryland, which had one in 2019.

A population of 13.2 million is under the "moderate risk" level.

People in the path of the storms should take protective action like securing loose objects outside and making space for a car inside a garage. Residents are also encouraged to charge tablets, phones and other portable devices in the case of widespread power outages.

Monday's thunderstorms should end by 10 p.m., followed by a partly cloudy evening as temperatures will drop only into the low 70s.

After the storms move through on Monday, dry weather is in the forecast for the next two days, when the first-place Orioles will be hosting the 2022 World Series champion Houston Astros at Camden Yards. There's a slight chance of storms for the Orioles' afternoon game against the Astros on Thursday.

Here is a look at the National Weather Service forecast for most of central Maryland for the rest of the work week:

Monday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. High near 91.

Monday night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 11pm. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. Low around 73.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 86. West wind 13 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Tuesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. West winds 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 90. West winds 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.

Thursday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88.

Thursday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.