Weather

Tornado Alert, Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued: MD Weather

Strong winds are blowing through Maryland; a tornado is possible with severe thunderstorms Friday, the National Weather Service reports.

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MARYLAND — As potentially damaging weather moves through the region, the National Weather Service has issued multiple alerts across Maryland. Tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings have been posted in some areas, while a tornado watch is in effect for much of Maryland until 9 p.m. on Friday, April 26.

A tornado warning is in effect for Cecil and Kent counties until 5 p.m. A warning means severe weather is imminent and people should take cover, as debris and tree limbs may fly.

"Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building," the National Weather Service warns. "Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

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Radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado at 4:29 p.m. that was located 7 miles southeast of Aberdeen Proving Ground, moving northeast at 45 mph.

Elkton, Cecilton, Betterton, Warwick, Sassafras, Newtown, Brantwood, Cayots, Hollywood Beach, Kennedyville, Chesapeake City and Galena may be impacted, according to the weather service.

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Tornado Watch For Almost All Of Maryland

A tornado watch is in effect for these areas from 1:35 until 9 p.m.: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George's, Queen Anne's, Somerset, St. Mary's, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico and Worcester counties as well as Baltimore City.

A watch means that severe weather is possible because conditions are favorable for producing a tornado, and people should take steps to prepare. In this case, that entails knowing where to take shelter.

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued

Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot counties are under a severe thunderstorm warning until 5:15 p.m.

Warnings That Have Expired

Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Kent, Queen Anne's, Prince George's, St. Mary's and Talbot counties were under a severe thunderstorm warning until 4:30 p.m.

Baltimore and Harford counties were under a tornado warning until 3:45 p.m.

Harford County Public Schools had students shelter-in-place until the threat had passed.

A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Cockeysville at 3:12 p.m. and was moving northeast at 30 mph. Radar indicated there was rotation in the storm, which should approach these areas at these times, according to weather officials:

  • Fallston — 3:35 p.m.
  • Jarrettsville — 3:40 p.m.

These other locations could have been impacted by the tornadic thunderstorm, according to the warning: Glencoe, Norrisville, Hunt Valley, Sparks, Pylesville, Forest Hill, Chrome Hill, Bynum, Phoenix and Street.

Baltimore and Harford counties were also under a severe thunderstorm warning until 4:15 p.m. Officials said that severe thunderstorms were on a line from Railroad to Pikesville, moving northeast at 40 mph at 3:08 p.m. Radar indicated wind gusts up to 60 mph that could cause branches to fall, roads to become blocked and power to go out.

"Remain alert for a possible tornado!" weather officials warned. "Tornadoes can develop quickly
from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the basement or small central room in a sturdy structure."

Baltimore, Carroll and Howard counties as well as Baltimore City were under a severe thunderstorm warning until 3:15 p.m. calling for winds up to 60 mph and penny-sized hail.

Montgomery County was under a tornado warning until 3:15 p.m. and a severe thunderstorm warning from 2:20 to 3 p.m. on Friday. Wind gusts up to 60 mph could cause trees and branches to fall, leading to blocked roads and localized power outages, officials said.

The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for much of the state Friday, as potentially severe storms approach Maryland. Damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph and quarter-sized hail may accompany strong thunderstorms, along with an isolated tornado, according to forecasters.

Here is when the storms should arrive on Friday, according to the National Weather Service:

  • Metro areas — 2 to 4 p.m.
  • Southern Maryland, bay areas — 4 to 6 p.m.

Temperatures are expected to drop from the low 70s to the low 60s from Friday into Saturday. For the weekend, the weather is expected to clear up, with sunny skies on Saturday.


Hazardous Weather Outlooks

Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's, St. Mary's and Washington counties as well as Baltimore City are under a hazardous weather outlook calling for scattered severe thunderstorms and potentially damaging winds with a tornado possible during the afternoon hours into the early evening hours.

In northeastern Maryland — including Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot counties — a hazardous weather outlook states that a line of storms may arrive late afternoon and early evening.

Boaters Should Prepare: Gale Warning

A gale warning is in effect on the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding waters until 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 27.

Now through the summer, officials advise boaters to be sure to check the forecast before heading out on the water.

"For example, we are anticipating damaging thunderstorms to cross the Potomac River Basin and Chesapeake Bay Friday afternoon and early Friday evening," the National Weather Service said in a statement on Friday, April 26. "This activity could quickly ramp up the winds and gusts; thus, easily capsizing smaller vessels. If you are sent overboard, water temperatures are quite chilly for this time of year and even into early summer. Hypothermia can set in quickly."

Here are tips for preparing:

  • Carry one life jacket for each person aboard the boat.
  • Watch for things like rapidly increasing clouds and wind speed, change in wind direction, sudden drop in air temperature and distant thunder. "All of these factors could mean that there is an approaching thunderstorm or a couple of thunderstorms in the vicinity," weather officials said.
  • Head to the nearest shore or safe harbor if inclement weather is coming. Get off the boat, move to an enclosed shelter and wait out the inclement weather.

Forecast for the Baltimore metro area

Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. High near 71 and low of 45. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a 0.75 and 1.25 inches possible.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 61 and low of 47. Breezy, with a west wind 22 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. West wind at night will be 5 to 10 mph and becoming light after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday: A chance of showers, mainly between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67 and low of 39. Southeast wind 6 to 13 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 61 and low of 51. Chance of nighttime precipitation is 50%.

Tuesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75 and low of 53. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69 and low of 54. Chance of nighttime precipitation is 40%.

Thursday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

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