Air Quality Alert, Storms Possible In Maryland Monday

MARYLAND — Scattered thunderstorms and damaging wind gusts are expected to move through Maryland Monday afternoon, while a Code Orange air quality alert is in place for the Baltimore metro and Annapolis region.

The Code Orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases and the elderly. Minimize the hazard by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors, the National Weather Service said.

For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles, visit the Department of the Environment website.

Scattered thunderstorms are possible after 2 p.m. Monday. A few of these storms may be capable of producing localized damaging wind gusts.

Heat will build through Wednesday, with the combination of heat and humidity likely to result in heat index values around 105 Wednesday afternoon.

"There is potential for clusters of strong to severe thunderstorms capable of damaging wind gusts Wednesday afternoon and evening," the NWS said.

Temperatures will reach the high-80s Monday, and will rise to the upper 90s by Wednesday, when another round of thunderstorms is possible.

"Later in the week, a cold front will gradually sweep across the country and will knock down temperatures heading into the Labor Day weekend," Accuweather notes.

Here's the Maryland forecast for the week heading into the Labor Day holiday, according to the National Weather Service:

Monday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Light and variable wind.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming southeast 5 to 7 mph in the morning.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.

Saturday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.