Thunderstorms Possible, Steamy Heat Again Threatens MD Record

MARYLAND — Steamy heat could bring another thunderstorm to Maryland on Wednesday evening. This continues a week of scorching temperatures that have threatened records in the Old Line State.

The Wednesday high of 98 degrees is just under the June 26 record of 99 degrees last hit in 1954 at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

The heat index could reach 100 to 105 degrees, the National Weather Service said in a Wednesday hazardous weather outlook.

The outlook covers the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, the Tidal Potomac River, and the Interstate 95 corridor through central Maryland, northern Virginia and the District of Columbia.

"Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail, and isolated tornadoes are possible this afternoon into the evening," the National Weather Service said in the outlook. "There is the potential for considerable wind damage, but confidence is low at this time."

The National Weather Service said the storm risk starts at 5 p.m. Wednesday with a 70 percent chance of evening precipitation at BWI Airport. Rainfall could total between a quarter and half of an inch.

AccuWeather is calling for "a moderate risk of severe weather."

"A moderate risk means numerous storms are in store in the zone, which can produce damaging wind gusts, hail and flash flooding," AccuWeather said in its forecast. "Portions of the New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., metro areas are within the moderate risk zone along the Interstate 95 corridor."

Maryland should get a slight heat reprieve Thursday through Saturday with temperatures dropping to the upper-80s to 90 degrees before returning to the mid-90s Sunday.

Here's the National Weather Service's seven-day forecast at BWI Airport:

Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 101. West wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 11pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of showers before 8am. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 88. Northwest wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Northeast wind 3 to 8 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Northeast wind around 9 mph.

Friday Night: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 78. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 85.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.