After yesterday’s surprisingly potent tornado outbreak focused on Maryland, we’ve got another afternoon into evening storm risk brewing today. In this case, the most focused activity should tend to be south and east toward Southern Maryland. But, with storms developing locally we can still take a bit of a punch. Good news is the bad weather today is caused by a cold front that will deliver much nicer weather to end the work week.
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Through Tonight: Showers and storms are popping up locally, with most of the activity moving southeast of the immediate area by 5 or 6 p.m. An additional shower or storm is possible behind the main batch, through about midnight. The primary risk should be isolated damaging wind gusts, mainly near Interstate 95 and eastward, along with the potential for heavy rain and dangerous lightning. A brief tornado can’t be ruled out.
Lows end up dipping into the mid- and upper 60s as humidity dwindles toward dawn.
View the current weather at The Washington Post.
Tomorrow (Friday): We’ll end the work week on a bright note. Clouds are few and sunshine is warm as highs rise to a range of near 80 to the mid-80s. Humidity is also down, thanks to a somewhat gusty west wind.
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More storms: Any storms that develop this afternoon could quickly turn strong thanks to abundant moisture and warmth, plus a cold front moving toward the area. Compared to yesterday, wind shear — change and direction with height — is less favorable for tornadoes. The greatest uncertainty is in the fact that storms will be beginning in our area, rather than marching in from well west.
According to Jeff Halverson, our severe weather expert: “this afternoon’s strong cold front is expected to trigger a line of storms that will sweep through starting midafternoon.
Halverson pointed out that “models suggest more scattered coverage north of D.C., and more of a solid line D.C. and south. The greatest hazard is localized, damaging straight line wind gusts.”
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