Tornado Risk, Flood Watch In MD Weather Forecast

MARYLAND — A flood watch is in effect Tuesday through Wednesday evening for the Baltimore-DC region, including most of Northern Virginia, according to the National Weather Service. On Wednesday, a line of showers and thunderstorms are forecast to cross the state, bringing the potential for damaging winds, hail, and isolated tornadoes.

Heavy rain, which began drenching the region on Monday due to a coastal storm, is expected to continue over the next couple of days, causing flooding along local creeks and rivers.

“One to two inches of rain is most likely, with localized amounts up to 4 inches possible," the National Weather Service said. “This may result in flooding of small streams and creeks. Flash flooding is possible.”

Between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain fell this morning near Elkridge, which means a flood warning is in place until 10:30 p.m. Tuesday for parts of central Maryland, around Elkridge in Anne Arundel and Howard counties. Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring, the weather service said.

The hazardous weather will continue with thunderstorms capable strong, gusty winds and hail Tuesday afternoon and into Wednesday evening, according to the NWS forecast. The flood watch runs until 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Severe thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts and a brief tornado or two are possible Wednesday.

The following localities in Maryland are included in the flood watch: Carroll, Baltimore, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Howard, and Harford counties, plus the cities of Laurel, Cockeysville, Annapolis, Bethesda, Suitland-Silver Hill, Severn, Arnold, Columbia, Glen Burnie, Westminster, Odenton, College Park, Rockville, Ellicott City, Reisterstown, Baltimore, Bowie, Greenbelt, Aberdeen, Silver Spring, Germantown, Severna Park, Gaithersburg, and Eldersburg.

Here's the latest Maryland forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

Tuesday: Showers likely before 3pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 3pm and 4pm, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 55. East wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 1am and 3am, then showers likely after 3am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Patchy fog before 5am. Low around 46. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Patchy fog after 7am. High near 56. East wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. West wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: Showers likely, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. West wind 7 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night: Showers likely before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 66.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.