More Severe Weather In Forecast For Maryland

MARYLAND — Severe thunderstorms swept across the state Wednesday, sending trees toppling and knocking out power for thousands of Maryland residents. But the week of severe weather is not over yet.

Another round of afternoon-into-evening storms is in the forecast. Scattered thunderstorms are likely to develop in the afternoon and evening hours on Thursday, May 30, according to the National Weather Service.

Damaging winds, large hail and an isolated tornado are possible.

UPDATE: Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued For 17 Maryland Jurisdictions

The greatest risk is north of the Interstate 64 corridor, according to a hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service.

The hazardous weather outlook comes on the heels of days of severe storms around the state (and a week after a tornado hit Howard County).

On Wednesday, strong winds and downed trees led to road closures and significant power outages in the Baltimore metro area. Trees fell onto houses and at least one vehicle, according to officials in Baltimore County. Lightning struck a house in Cecil County, starting a fire. Due to outages that continued Thursday, one school and the district's central office in Harford County were closed. In all, more than 26,000 customers lost power during the storm Wednesday, May 29, BGE reported.

On Tuesday, storms knocked out power in Anne Arundel County; one school closed early and a city council meeting was canceled in Annapolis due to outages. Some roads flooded in Montgomery County, where 1.51 inches of rain was reported in Rockville as of Tuesday, May 28, according to unofficial data provided to the National Weather Service.

Given the rain that has already fallen this week, weather officials warned Thursday that it will not take much for local rivers and streams to flood.

It's also going to be hot Thursday, with temperatures in the 80s and 90s across the state.

SEE ALSO:

• Lightning Strikes Home In Cecil County, Sparking Fire
• Tree Falls Atop Vehicle In Western Baltimore County
• Power Outages Close One School, Office In Harford County
• Building Damaged During Storm In Havre de Grace
• Annapolis High School Students Sent Home After Power Outage
• Outages Continue After Storm Hits Perry Hall

Here is the Baltimore metro area forecast for the rest of the week, according to the National Weather Service:

Thursday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms between 1 and 4 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 p.m. Some storms could produce hail and gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87 and low around 67. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: A quarter to half inch of rain in the early morning hours is possible, before 3 a.m. Then mostly sunny, with a high near 83 and low around 66.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 84 and low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. High near 80 and low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday: Showers possible before 9 a.m. Sunny, with a high near 75. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Graphics above courtesy of the National Weather Service.