Tropical Threats Franklin, Idalia Could Affect MD This Week

MARYLAND — Forecasters are watching two storms in the Atlantic Ocean this week, and said the impacts of Hurricane Franklin and Tropical Storm Idalia could impact the East Coast with high tides, strong offshore winds and the potential for beach closures.

These strong tropical systems are not expected to have a major impact on Maryland. "While no rain and wind are forecast, the eastern U.S. will have some indirect impacts from Franklin this week as it churns well offshore," said AccuWeather.

Beach-goers may have their plans later this week dampened, forecasters said. Rough surf and strong rip currents are expected in Ocean City, and flooding will also be possible with rain expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.

And, thunderstorms with "periods of heavy rain" are in store for parts of Maryland from Monday night through early Wednesday with the presence of tropical moisture, said the National Weather Service office.

"It won’t be raining that entire time everywhere, but there will be a threat of localized flooding, especially for areas near and south/east of the urban (I-95) corridor," NWS forecasters added. "In addition, some tidal flooding is likely the next few evenings and this could be exacerbated by any heavier rainfall."

Heavy rainfall is also possible on Tuesday and Tuesday night, which could exacerbate flooding, said the National Weather Service.

READ ALSO: TS Idalia: Tampa, St. Pete Under Hurricane, Storm Surge Warnings

Looking ahead to the Labor Day weekend, the forecast for Ocean City is partly to mostly sunny weather, with temperatures in the high 70s and low 80s. Temperatures will be slightly higher in the Annapolis area.

As of Monday morning, Franklin was churning offshore north of the Turks and Caicos and could “gain enough wind intensity to become the season's first Category 4 hurricane,” AccuWeather forecasters said.

Idalia, which strengthened into a tropical storm, is on a potential track to come ashore on the west coast of Florida Wednesday as a Category 1 hurricane.

Idalia’s impact could be felt later this week up the Eastern Seaboard, but may not affect Maryland too heavily, forecasters said.

Wednesday’s cold front may help push Idalia too far southeast to bring rain into Maryland. But if the front is weaker than expected, Maryland could see rain move in, especially toward the Chesapeake Bay and Delmarva.

“Rain totaling 4 to 8 inches and wind gusts of at least 40 mph, can occur all the way through eastern Georgia and the Carolinas through late week, complicating vacation plans for some in the days leading up to the Labor Day weekend,” AccuWeather noted.

The National Weather Service added that Idalia will move north in the vicinity of the Carolinas, then "should then move eastward out to sea Thursday night through Friday."

"Otherwise, the systems should bring some periods of mid and high level cloudiness over southern parts of our forecast area for Thursday along with winds that may be quite breezy out of the (northeast)," said the NWS.

Here is a look at the National Weather Service forecast for Maryland through for this week:

Monday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79.

Monday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.

Tuesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80.

Tuesday night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 69.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81.

Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.

Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 78.