(UPDATE) Maryland Weather Alert: Wind Advisory Extended Monday

(Updated at 1:15 p.m. Monday) BALTIMORE, MD — The National Weather Service has extended a wind advisory — calling for scattered power outages, downed tree limbs and fallen power lines — Monday for much of Maryland. A wind advisory means that 45 to 55 mph winds are possible and can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles, according to the weather service.

The wind advisory went into effect at 5 a.m. and was set to expire at 4 p.m. Monday, but the weather service has extended the advisory until 7 p.m. Monday. Residents will continue to deal with east winds at 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph throughout the day.

Rains and strong winds have downed trees and power lines across the state. In Prince George's County, Pepco reported a power outage affecting 1,383 customers along Branch Avenue near Andrews Air Force Base. And more than 1,300 people were experiencing power outages in Harford County as of 12:35 p.m., according to BGE. Outages appeared to be peppered throughout the county. Some were concentrated in the Otter Point and Bel Air South areas, while places like Norrisville and Aldino were also affected.

SEE ALSO:

• UPDATED: Wind Restrictions at 2 Maryland Bridges, Warnings at 3 Others
• Maryland Weather Forecast: Nor'easter Brings High Winds, Rain

Areas covered by the wind advisory include the District of Columbia, Carroll, Baltimore, Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Howard, and Harford counties. This includes the cities of: Washington, Baltimore, Eldersburg, Westminster, Reisterstown, Cockeysville, Bowie, Suitland, Clinton, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Camp Springs, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, South Gate, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, Germantown, Damascus, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Lisbon, Columbia, Ellicott City, Jarrettsville, and Aberdeen.

The winds are expected to pick up Sunday night, along with rain, and continue through Monday afternoon, the wind advisory says. Expect winds to reach 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph, according to the weather service.

A gale warning is also in effect on the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River from 1 a.m. Monday through the day. Under a gale warning, winds are 34 to 47 knots and recreational boaters should seek safe harbor.

Waterways included in the warning include the Patapsco River, Baltimore Harbor, Chester River, Choptank River, Patuxent River, and the inland waters surround the District of Columbia, southern Baltimore, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, and southeast Harford counties.

Patch file photo.