Record-Breaking Temps Possible, MD Heat Wave Draws Air Quality Alert

MARYLAND — Incoming heat could challenge daily temperature records this week in Maryland, and it poses an air quality hazard for sensitive residents Monday.

A heat wave is rolling into the Old Line State before possible thunderstorms later in the week.

Monday's predicted high is 90 degrees at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The April 29 high temperature record at BWI Airport was 91 degrees in 1974.

The April 30 record of 92 degrees set in 1910 could also be topped if Tuesday's high of 87 ticks up a few degrees.

"If forecasts hold, Monday will be the warmest stretch of weather since the heat wave spanning Sept. 3-9 in Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Matt Benz said in a forecast. "If these areas have highs in the 80s for multiple days during the upcoming week, it will be the first time for that since early October."

The Maryland Department of the Environment issued a code orange air quality alert on Monday for the Baltimore and Annapolis regions.

Air pollution concentrations may become unhealthy for sensitive groups like children, the elderly and people with asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases. These groups should avoid strenuous activity and exercise outdoors.

"An early preview of summer arrives this week as highs reach the 80s each day," the National Weather Service said Monday on Facebook. "Hottest temps today in the upper 80s to low 90s. A cold front brings scattered showers/storms Tuesday afternoon and evening, and again Wednesday."

Here is the National Weather Service's seven-day forecast at BWI Airport:

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Light and variable wind becoming west around 6 mph in the afternoon.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. South wind around 6 mph.

Tuesday: A slight chance of showers between 2pm and 5pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. West wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.

Friday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Chance of precipitation is 30%.