Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued As 60 MPH Winds Hit MD

Updated at 1:55 p.m.

MARYLAND — A strong thunderstorm is moving across Maryland, packing 60 winds that have prompted the National Weather Service to issue a severe thunderstorm warning until 2:30 p.m. Heavy rainfall has caused flash flooding in parts of Montgomery County.

The warning includes parts of Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, Howard County, Montgomery County and Prince George's County.

The NWS extended the warning to 3 p.m. for Baltimore City and Anne Arundel County.

Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches to fall, the NWS said. This could injure people outdoors, as well as damage homes and vehicles. Roadways may become blocked by downed trees. Localized power outages are possible. Unsecured light objects may become projectiles.

"Large hail, damaging wind, and continuous cloud to ground lightning are occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately," the NWS alert said. "If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways."

Locations impacted include Baltimore, Columbia, Bowie, Severn, Annapolis, Olney, College Park, Crofton, Greenbelt, Beltsville, Elkridge, Riviera Beach, the Naval Academy, Baltimore-Washington Airport, Fort Smallwood State Park, Glen Burnie, Aspen Hill, Severna Park, Odenton, and Laurel.

A flash flood warning is in place until 4:30 p.m. for central Montgomery County after radar indicated thunderstorms were producing heavy rain across the warned area.

Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen, and the expected rainfall rate is 1.5 to 2.5 inches in one hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area, the NWS said. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

Earlier Wednesday the National Weather Service issued a flood watch for portions of the greater Baltimore-Washington region.

“A flood watch has been issued until 8PM this evening with flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall possible. 1 to 2 inches of precipitation in an hour is expected within thunderstorms with localized amounts up to 3 inches possible," the NWS said on social media. "Turn around, don't drown!”

The flood watch will be in effect from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. More severe weather looms for Thursday.

Areas in the flood watch include: Carroll, Baltimore, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Charles, Montgomery, Howard, and Harford counties.

"Showers and thunderstorms are likely this afternoon through early this evening. The heavy amounts of rain in a short period of time may lead to rapid rises of creeks and streams out of
their banks as well as potential flash flooding in urban areas," the NWS warned.

In between storms, things are heating up in the region. The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang notes that Wednesday brings high humidity and temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s. Thursday's highs could reach the 90s, with a real-feel heat index in the mid-90s before another chance of storms in the afternoon and evening.

High temperatures stay in the low- to mid-90s through Sunday, before daytime highs reach 100 degrees on Monday and Tuesday, the NWS said.

Here is the National Weather Service forecast for the Baltimore region:

Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 3pm and 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 91. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Light southwest wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. High near 96. Southwest wind 5 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11pm, then a slight chance of showers between 11pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Northwest wind around 7 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 94.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 77.

Sunday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 80.

Monday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 100.