Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued Across Much Of Maryland

MARYLAND — Much of Maryland is under a severe thunderstorm watch Wednesday evening. A watch means thunderstorms may develop that could produce damaging winds. The National Weather Service said scattered thunderstorms could produce damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes.

A hazardous weather outlook has also been issued for the region.

The severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until midnight.

These areas are included in the watch: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George's, Queen Anne's and Talbot counties and Baltimore City.

Cities in the watch include: Aberdeen, Annapolis, Arnold, Bethesda, Bowie, Bel Air, Catonsville, College Park, Columbia, Dundalk, Edgewood, Eldersburg, Ellicott City, Essex, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Glen Burnie, Greenbelt, Havre de Grace, Joppatowne, Laurel, Odenton, Parkville, Pikesville, Potomac, Rockville, Severn, Severna Park, Silver Spring, Towson and Westminster.

When a severe thunderstorm watch is issued, people can go about their normal activities, keeping an eye to the sky and an ear to the National Weather Service's weather radio or local media for updates and possible warnings. A severe thunderstorm is defined as producing hail the size of a quarter or larger and damaging wind gusts of at least 58 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Here's a first look at the Labor Day weekend forecast:

Wednesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 11pm, then a slight chance of showers between 11pm and 2am. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Patchy fog after 5am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 7 mph becoming west after midnight. 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 and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 89. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. West wind 5 to 9 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81.

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

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 83.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.

Labor Day: Sunny, with a high near 84.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.