As MD Temps Seesaw, High Wind Watch Issued

MARYLAND — While it appeared that summer set in early across Maryland this week, milder temperatures and windy weather are on the way in the next couple of days, forecasters advised Thursday.

Thunderstorms will likely roll through the region from 2 to 10 p.m. Thursday as temperatures hover near 80 degrees, forecasters advised.

Strong wind gusts will arrive behind a cold front Friday morning and night as a powerful system crosses the region, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a hazardous weather outlook for much of the state.

Some showers are tracking across the northern portions of our area. Precip chances will linger through tonight with a few isolated severe storms possible, mainly across eastern WV and northern MD. Main threat will be for damaging wind gusts. pic.twitter.com/eNzUqCM4cA
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) April 29, 2021

Temps will plummet into the 40s late Friday and early Saturday, according to the forecast. (Scroll down for the forecast by local area.)

A high wind watch takes effect from 11 a.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Saturday for parts of Maryland, calling for winds of about 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph.

During the high wind watch, strong winds could blow down trees and power lines, causing widespread outages, weather officials advise. Driving may be difficult, especially for those in high-profile vehicles. People should secure any loose items outside or bring them inside before the watch period.

These areas are under the high wind watch from Friday to Saturday morning:

• Anne Arundel County
• Baltimore City
• Baltimore County
• Carroll County
• Cecil County
• Frederick County
• Harford County
• Howard County
• Montgomery County
• Prince George's County
• Washington County

The National Weather Service specifically noted these towns were included in the watch: Aberdeen, Annapolis, Arnold, Ballenger Creek, Baltimore, Bethesda, Cockeysville, Columbia, Damascus, Eldersburg, Ellicott City, Elkton, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Glen Burnie, Hagerstown, Jarrettsville, Lisbon, Odenton, Reisterstown, Rockville, Severn, Silver Spring, South Gate, Severna Park and Westminster.

Forecast Calls For 40-Degree Shift

Don't put away those summer items yet — 80-degree temperatures are expected to stick around through Thursday afternoon before a cold front arrives Friday morning and Friday night.

Temperatures will seesaw from the 80s into the 40s and back up to the 80s between Thursday and Sunday, according to forecasters.

The coldest point is likely to be overnight Friday and early Saturday morning, when temps may plunge into the 40s.

Daytime temps will be in the 60s Friday and Saturday, while Sunday will cap off the weekend by nearing the 80-degree mark once again.

Here is the forecast for Annapolis from the National Weather Service:

Here is the forecast for Baltimore:

Here is the forecast for Bel Air:

Here is the forecast for Bowie:

Here is the forecast for Chevy Chase:

Here is the forecast for Columbia:

Boaters Under Advisory, Watch

A small craft advisory is in effect from noon Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday for the Chesapeake Bay due to southwest winds of 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 25 knots expected.

A gale watch is in effect for the Tidal Potomac and Chesapeake Bay from 6 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday, according to the weather service, which said waves may capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility. Officials advised mariners to avoid these conditions by staying in port, seeking safe harbor, changing course and/or securing their vessels for severe wind and waves.

For the gale watch, northwest winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 40 knots and waves of 2 to 4 feet are possible.