BALTIMORE, MD—Marylanders are being urged to prepare for a “complex” and potentially dangerous weather setup over the next 48 hours. The National Weather Service (NWS) warns that record-breaking warmth on Wednesday will serve as the fuel for severe thunderstorms, followed by a dramatic “temperature dive” that will return the region to a winter-like chill by Thursday.
Wednesday: Record Heat and Severe Storm Potential
Wednesday is expected to be the warmest day of the week, with temperatures climbing into the mid-to-upper 70s. In some parts of central Maryland, the mercury could approach 80 degrees, putting long-standing daily temperature records in jeopardy.
However, this unseasonable warmth comes with a catch. A powerful cold front diving out of the Great Lakes is set to collide with this warm, moist air, triggering a Level 2 out of 5 “Slight Risk” for severe weather across most of the state.
The Primary Threats for Wednesday Afternoon and Evening:
- Damaging Winds & Large Hail: Winds gusting between 30 and 40 mph are expected even outside of storms.
- Tornadoes: Forecasters noted an “impressive” amount of wind shear, which is favorable for supercell structures. A “hatched area” for tornado probability has been identified for Western Maryland, with the threat potentially extending east along the Maryland-Pennsylvania border.
- Flash Flooding: Heavy rainfall will accompany any storms that fire along the pre-frontal trough.
“Wednesday afternoon and evening is a day to watch closely,” the NWS discussion stated. “Have your severe weather plans ready in case you find yourself needing to act on them.”
Thursday: The Big Freeze
The transition will be jarring. As the cold front crosses the state late Wednesday night, temperatures are forecast to take a 15 to 30-degree dive…