Thunderstorms, Outages Possible Wednesday Afternoon

The Baltimore Gas and Electric Company is warning customers that it is preparing for possible weather-related power outages Wednesday afternoon, in light of predictions that a thunderstorm and high winds might hit central Maryland.

BGE’s warnings come after nearly earlier this month, some for a more than week, after the destructive derecho storm hit the region.

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The warnings also come amid a heat wave this week, which has triggered the opening of cooling centers across the region.

A National Weather Service Hazardous Weather Outlook says scattered thunderstorms are likely Wednesday afternoon and evening in central Maryland, which includes the Perry Hall, White Marsh and Kingsville areas.

Some of those storms may be severe, with large wind gusts, hail and possible flash flooding, the weather service said.

There also may be “strong to severe” thunderstorms Thursday afternoon and evening as well.

A high of 99 degrees is expected Wednesday, with a 20 to 40 percent chance of thunderstorms. There is a 60 percent chance of thunderstorms Thursday, with an expected high of 91 degrees.

“As the region continues to experience high temperatures, exceeding 100 degrees, BGE is also preparing for potential weather-related outages from the severe thunderstorms and high wind forecasted for this afternoon,” said Jeannette M. Mills, vice president and chief customer officer for BGE in a press release.

BGE officials said in a statement they might activate the company’s voluntary energy demand response program, called PeakRewards, “which helps lower the cost of electricity.”

The company activated PeakRewards for about two hours Tuesday, officials said.

“This program is critical to helping the company and the electric grid operator for the region reduce peak demand and keep the electric system balanced, particularly during periods of high demand,” officials said in a statement.

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