MARYLAND — A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect for portions of Maryland until midnight Thursday night as strong to severe thunderstorms move across the region, according to the National Weather Service and the Storm Prediction Center.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch 317 includes 12 Maryland counties: Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester. The watch was issued at 7:15 p.m. EDT and remains in effect until 12 a.m. Friday.
Forecasters warn that storms developing across the watch area may produce damaging wind gusts, large hail, dangerous lightning and periods of heavy rainfall. Residents are encouraged to closely monitor weather conditions throughout the evening and be prepared to take shelter if severe thunderstorm warnings are issued.
The watch also includes several Chesapeake Bay and tidal waterway areas, where strong thunderstorms could create hazardous conditions for boaters.
In addition to Watch 317, parts of central Maryland remained under Severe Thunderstorm Watch 315 until 10 p.m. Thursday. Counties included in that watch are Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, along with Baltimore City.
A severe thunderstorm watch means weather conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in and near the watch area. The National Weather Service urges residents to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts as storms continue moving through Maryland Thursday night.
