Posted on 04/12/19
| News Source: Pikesville Patch
BALTIMORE, MD — Outdoor plans are going to be dicey this weekend across much of Maryland. The weather forecast says rain and thunderstorms are likely and a risk of a tornado is possible, the National Weather Service said Friday. A hazardous weather outlook has been issued for central and western Maryland with an isolated threat for thunderstorms to produce damaging wind gusts Friday evening and localized flooding is possible.
A few thunderstorms may become severe Sunday afternoon and Sunday night with damaging winds a risk. However, a tornado cannot be ruled out, the forecasters said. Some storms may also produce heavy rain that could lead to flooding Sunday night through early Monday.
These parts of Maryland are under the hazardous outlook Friday night: Frederick, plus parts of Carroll, Baltimore, Allegany, Montgomery, Howard and Harford counties.
Thunderstorms weather may disrupt two-way operations at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, the Maryland Transportation Authority said. Two-way is prohibited during bridge wind warnings/restrictions or times of precipitation. Drivers may experience delays during the afternoon rush-hour period.
Drivers can call 1-877-BAYSPAN (229-7726) for current traffic conditions. For the most up-to-date information follow twitter.com/TheMDTA or facebook.com/TheMDTA. For statewide traffic conditions, visit md511.org.
The weather service reminds residents about the risk of lightning. "Today's highlight is lightning. When Thunder Roars - Head Indoors. If you hear thunder, you're close enough to be at risk for a lightning strike. Get inside, or inside a vehicle."
Severe thunderstorms are possible from the Gulf Coast into the Ohio valley and parts of the mid-Atlantic states, The Weather Channel says. Severe weather is most likely Sunday from eastern Alabama and Georgia into southern Ohio and eastward in western North Carolina and southwestern Virginia.
Damaging winds are the main severe weather threat, though a few tornadoes are possible in the Southeast, the weather site says. Golfers and fans at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, will be hampered by rains throughout the weekend, forecasters say.
Here's the detailed forecast from the National Weather Service:
Friday Afternoon: Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. High near 71. South wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Low around 60. South wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Saturday: A chance of showers before 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. West wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 76. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Sunday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Monday: A chance of showers before 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 65. Chance of precipitation is 40%.