Flash Flood Watch, Wind Advisory In Effect For Harford County

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — The Hatem Bridge is under a wind warning Thursday afternoon, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.

Winds have also prompted an advisory from the National Weather Service, which issued multiple alerts for the region as a wet cold front moves through from Christmas Eve into Christmas Day.

Bridge Wind Warning, Restriction

The Maryland Transportation Authority issues wind warnings when gusts exceed 30 mph.

As of 4 p.m. Thursday, authorities said the Hatem Bridge was under a wind warning.

During wind warnings, drivers of house trailers, box trailers, motorcycles, vehicles with roof-mount racks containing cargo or any other vehicle that may be subject to high winds should use caution while traveling across bridges.

Drivers are encouraged to slow down and keep both hands on the steering wheel, particularly in high-profile vehicles. Officials remind drivers that speed limits are based on normal weather conditions.

The Bay Bridge is under limited wind restrictions as of 4 p.m. Thursday. These are issued when gusts are over 40 mph and means drivers of house trailers, empty box trailers or other vehicles that may not safely cross the bridge will be denied passage.

The wind is expected to continue into the evening.

Wind Advisory

A wind advisory is in effect for Harford County from noon Thursday to 2 a.m. Friday. During the advisory period, winds may gust up to 50 mph, with sustained winds of about 15 to 25 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

The wind advisory applies to northern Baltimore and northwest Harford counties. Weather officials said Jarrettsville, Reisterstown and Cockeysville may be impacted in particular.

Tree limbs may blow down, and power outages are possible. Residents should tie down any loose objects. Harford County government officials advised people to charge their phones and have batteries and flashlights ready in the event of outages.

As of 3:55 p.m., BGE reports a handful of outages in Harford County, with power out for fewer than five residents along Rockspring Church Road in Forest Hill and for fewer than five residents off Revolution Street in Havre de Grace.

Flash Flood Watch In Effect, Freeze Possible

A flash flood watch is in effect from 1 p.m. Thursday to 4 a.m. Friday for Harford County and several others in the region.

About 1 to 3 inches of rain may fall Thursday afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service, which reports small streams, creeks and urban areas may flood.

Harford, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's counties are under the flash flood watch. So are the cities of Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

@NWS_BaltWash is predicting heavy rain and damaging winds for #Harford. Be prepared for potential power outages: charge your phone now & have batteries and flashlights ready. A coastal flood watch is also in effect until Christmas morning. Follow weather reports & be safe.
— Harford County Gov't (@HarfordCountyMD) December 24, 2020

Temperatures are likely to plummet as Christmas Eve transitions into Christmas Day, according to the forecast.

"A powerful cold front will bring a variety of impacts to the region today and tonight," the National Weather Service advised the Baltimore-Washington region Thursday.

"Periods of rain will continue through the afternoon hours," weather officials said. "Some of the rain will be heavy at times which could lead to flooding of rivers, streams, and low-lying areas. Later this evening, a line of showers and thunderstorms capable of strong winds will move across the region."

A flash freeze is possible on wet surfaces overnight as cold air moves in, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a hazardous weather outlook for the Baltimore-Washington region.

Here is the forecast for Harford County from the National Weather Service:

Thursday: High near 59 degrees and low around 37. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Breezy, with a south wind around 22 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90. percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Nighttime rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday: Rain showers likely before 10 a.m., then a chance of rain and snow showers between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., then a slight chance of snow showers after 3 p.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 32 by 4 p.m. and 19 degrees overnight. West wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Windy overnight, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 32 and low around 21. West wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 40 and a low around 30.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 47 and a low around 27.