Nor'easter Forecast For MD: Rainy, Windy Weekend Expected

MARYLAND — A nor'easter will bring storms to Maryland to start the weekend, according to the latest projections from the National Weather Service. Rain is expected to begin on Friday afternoon and continue through the evening, but much of the weekend could be salvaged.

Meteorologists from Accuweather and the National Weather Service said Maryland residents could see rain and heavy wind begin on Friday and continue through Saturday morning.

The storm that will bring rain to our area originated as Super Typhoon Bolaven in Japan, Accuweather meteorologists said. Last weekend, remnants of the storm brought rain to the Pacific Northwest.

Energy from the storm is moved across the U.S. this week, before meeting moist Atlantic air and forming a new storm near the Carolina coast, and then track north, according to AccuWeather.

That is a recipe for a potential nor'easter, which is a strong storm that tracks up the Atlantic coast and intensifies near New England with strong winds out of the northeast.

In its most recent forecast, the National Weather Service said Maryland should avoid the worst of the storm. Meteorologists noted the worst of the storm will remain east of the Chesapeake Bay before hammering the New England region.

"A Nor’easter is a storm along the East Coast of North America, so called because the winds over the coastal area are typically from the northeast. These storms may occur at any time of year but are most frequent and most violent between September and April," the official National Weather Service definition says.

While New York City and New England could see severe flooding and difficulties on roadways, the storm is expected to be less extreme in our area.

"Farther south along Interstate 95, from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., and Norfolk, Virginia, the rain from the storm will tend to be progressively more showery in nature," Accuweather said in a forecast. "Friday will be the wettest period, and sporadic urban flooding is possible. A few thunderstorms are also expected through the mid-Atlantic states, especially Friday afternoon into Friday night."

In its latest forecast for Maryland, the National Weather Service said Saturday could be very windy, but mostly dry.

Chances of rain are expected to increase throughout the day on Friday before declining by Saturday afternoon. Any storms that form in our region should be "sub-severe," according to the National Weather Service.

"[The storm's] more eastward position should keep the associated rainfall east of the Chesapeake Bay," the National Weather Service forecaster's discussion said. "However, will continue to monitor its position in terms of implications of rainfall and enhanced wind fields."

Here is a look at the National Weather Service forecast through Monday in Maryland:

• Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. South wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Friday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11pm, then isolated showers between 11pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Breezy, with a west wind 13 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.
• Saturday night: A slight chance of showers before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. West wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Breezy, with a northwest wind 11 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.
• Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
• Monday: Sunny, with a high near 60.