Thunderstorms, Flooding Possible As 2-Day Soaker Heads To MD

MARYLAND — Storms could be rolling into Maryland, kickstarting a possible two-day soaker with up to 4 inches of rain possible in some areas. Thunderstorms and flooding could hit Wednesday, and the rain may continue Thursday.

Most of the Baltimore-Washington metro area is under a flood watch from noon until 10 p.m. Wednesday. A watch is sandwiched between an advisory and a warning in its severity. Watches mean hazardous weather is possible, but not immediately dangerous.

"Multiple rounds of heavy showers and thunderstorms will move across the area today into this evening," the National Weather Service said in its flood watch.

The NWS said 1 to 2 inches of rain are likely. Isolated rainfall totals of 3 to 4 inches are possible.

"Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible," the NWS said. "Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded."

The flood watch covers Baltimore City and southern Baltimore County. All of these counties are also under the flood watch: Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's.

Harford County is under a hazardous weather, with isolated severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts possible this afternoon and evening. A tornado or two is also possible, the NWS said.

Here's the National Weather Service seven-day forecast at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport:

Wednesday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 82. Southeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2am, then scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 2am and 5am. Low around 70. Southeast wind 7 to 9 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. West wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers between 8pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. West wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 82. West wind 6 to 11 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 81.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Sunday: A chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night: A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.