Severe MD Weather: Tornado Watch, Thunderstorm Warning Issued

BALTIMORE, MD — The National Weather Service has issued severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings for several counties in Maryland Thursday afternoon, while a hazardous weather outlook is in place for most of the state. Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are possible, with a small threat for a tornado.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Howard and Prince George's counties. It is in effect until 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 23. During a tornado warning, people should stay indoors and go to the center of an interior room.

A tornado watch — meaning conditions could allow tornadoes to form — is in effect until 8 p.m. for Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George's, Queen Anne's, St. Marys and Talbot counties, plus the city of Baltimore.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning on Thursday, May 23. It will be in effect until 4 p.m. "At 3:40 p.m. EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from Ellicott City to near Laurel to University of Maryland, moving east at 50 mph," the National Weather Service said in a statement.

"Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches to fall," the agency added. "This could injure those outdoors, as well as damage homes and vehicles. Roadways may become blocked by downed trees. Localized power outages are possible. Unsecured light objects may become projectiles."

Affected areas include: Baltimore, Columbia, Rockville, Bethesda, Bowie, Severn, Annapolis,
College Park, Crofton, Greenbelt, Langley Park, Beltsville, Elkridge, Riviera Beach, Mayo, Naval Academy, Baltimore-Washington Airport, Sillery Bay, Millers Island, and North Point State Park.

Hazardous Weather Outlook

Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening, forecasters said. "Locally damaging winds and large hail are the primary threats, but an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out as well."

Forecasters expect the severe weather to impact the District of Columbia, the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, the Tidal Potomac River, and adjacent counties in central Maryland and northern Virginia.

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Severe Thunderstorm Watch

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 23 for these jurisdictions: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George's, Queen Anne's, Talbot and Washington counties and Baltimore City. The watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms.

Forecast (May 23-27)

Here is the forecast in the Baltimore-Washington area for the rest of the week:

Thursday afternoon

• Isolated showers before 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 2pm and 5pm, then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Southwest wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday evening

• Scattered showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am, then a slight chance of showers. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 66. West wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday afternoon

• Sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Friday evening

• Mostly clear, with a low around 61. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Saturday afternoon

• Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

Saturday evening

• A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday afternoon

• Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.

Sunday evening

• A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Memorial Day

• Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.