Severe Weather Expected To Impact Evening Rush Hour In MD On Monday

MARYLAND — Severe weather is expected to pass through Maryland Monday afternoon, affecting the evening rush hour along the I-95 corridor, according to the National Weather Service. Thunderstorms packing 60 mile per hour winds, possible hail and a tornado threat.

The NWS issued a severe thunderstorm watch Monday afternoon that is in effect until 9 p.m. for the city of Baltimore and these counties: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's, and Washington.

In a hazardous weather outlook, the NWS also said a threat of flash flooding exists across the entire Northern Virginia and D.C. area Monday afternoon and evening.

Mostly cloudy skies will cover most of Maryland on Monday and then switch over to severe thunderstorms in the afternoon and into the evening, with a high of 92 and a low of 66, according to the NWS forecast.

Hazardous weather conditions are expected in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, tidal Potomac River, and the I-95 corridor through central Maryland, Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., according to NWS.

Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible during the afternoon and evening hours, bringing damaging wind gusts of more than 60 mph and large hail. There could also be the possibility of a tornado, according to NWS.

"The strongest storms may produce winds up to 70 mph and hail up to the size of ping pong balls," 7News Meteorologist Mark Peña said. “An isolated tornado or two cannot be ruled out.”

Rainfall will generally range from one-tenth to one-half inch, but heavier storms could drop 1 to 2 inches of rain on some areas, especially in southern Maryland and eastern Virginia.

The Maryland Transportation Authority warns that the potential for severe thunderstorms may produce heavy rains, dangerous lighting and powerful winds, across the region.

Rapidly changing driving conditions may occur during these storms, MTA says. Be on the lookout for downed trees and power lines, as well as other debris in the roadway. Flash flooding may also occur.

Heavy winds may force the temporary closure of some Maryland Department of Transportation Authority bridges. Each facility will implement a closure based on current conditions, so lengthy delays may occur on Monday, according to MDTA.

Eastbound delays may occur at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge during the afternoon and evening rush hour, according to MTDA. Heavy rainfall, wind warnings or other restrictions may prevent officials from implementing two-way operations on the bridge. If this occurs, one lane of eastbound traffic will be directed to the westbound span.

A small craft advisory remains in effect from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Monday, for the tidal Potomac, from the Key Bridge to Indian Head, and to Cobb Island in Maryland, according to NWS. South winds of 10 to 15 knots with gusts of up to 20 knots expected.

Showers and heavier thunderstorms are expected on Tuesday, according to the AccuWeather forecast. Winds from the south-southwest of 7 mph will pass through the Maryland, with a high of 79 and low of 64.

The rainy weather is expected to continue through the week, with an 88 percent chance of rain on Wednesday, dropping to 22 percent on Thursday, according to AccuWeather.

Here is the five-day forecast from the National Weather Service for the Baltimore-D.C. area:

Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 5pm. Some storms could be severe, with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. South wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. Low around 66. South wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 2pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. High near 83. Light south wind becoming southwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Low around 65. West wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 85.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 50%.