Severe Thunderstorm, Flash Flood Watches Issued Across MD

MARYLAND — Heavy rain is in the forecast Tuesday, with afternoon thunderstorms that weather officials say could leave several inches of rain in some parts of Maryland. The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch and flash flood watch for most of the state on Tuesday, June 18.

While flash flooding is a major concern with heavy rainfall, the weather service also advised there is a slight risk of damaging winds and large hail in northeastern Maryland, southern Maryland, in the District of Columbia and on the Chesapeake Bay and tidal Potomac through Tuesday evening.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued For 17 Counties Plus Baltimore

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for the following until 10 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18:

• Anne Arundel County
• Baltimore City
• Baltimore County
• Calvert County
• Caroline County
• Cecil County
• Charles County
• Dorchester County
• Harford County
• Howard County
• Kent County
• Montgomery County
• Prince George's County
• Queen Anne's County
• Somerset County
• St.Mary's County
• Talbot County
• Wicomico County
• Worcester County

The watch means that there is potential for severe thunderstorms, which are defined by those that produce winds of at least 58 mph and/or hail that is at least 1 inch in diameter.

Flash Flood Watches Posted

Ten counties and Baltimore City are also under a flash flood watch from 2 to 11 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18. There is a separate flash flood watch for five counties on the Eastern Shore, effective until Wednesday morning.

Areas along the Pennsylvania-Maryland border and in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area in particular could experience scattered cases of flooding, weather officials said.

These areas are under the flash flood watch from 2 to 11 p.m. Tuesday:

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

The flash flood watch includes parts of Maryland, D.C. and northern Virginia.

A flash flood watch means conditions leading to flash flooding, or a rapid rise in water level, may develop.

As thunderstorms move into the region Tuesday afternoon and continue into the evening, weather officials said urban areas may be more susceptible to flash flooding.

Localized rainfall could total several inches, according to the National Weather Service, which mentioned these locations in particular when issuing the flash flood watch: Washington, Hagerstown, Frederick, Ballenger Creek, Eldersburg, Westminster, Reisterstown, Cockeysville, Baltimore, Bowie, Suitland-Silver Hill, Clinton, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Camp Springs, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, South Gate, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, St. Charles, Waldorf, Frostburg, Cumberland, Germantown, Damascus, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Lisbon, Columbia, Ellicott City, Jarrettsville and Aberdeen.

A separate flash flood watch is in effect for the Eastern Shore until 6 a.m. Wednesday, which states there is potential for localized flash flooding; at highest risk are areas that experienced heavy rain over the past few days as well as urban areas and those with poor drainage. Streams and creeks may rapidly rise. The watch states torrential downpours are possible as well as storms moving over the same areas repeatedly, with 1 to 3 inches of rain accumulating in a short time.

Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot counties are under the watch there, and officials mentioned Easton and Elkton as cities that may be impacted.