MARYLAND — Parts of Maryland could see strong to severe thunderstorms Saturday as a storm system moving through the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley brings the potential for damaging wind gusts and isolated large hail to the region.
The Storm Prediction Center includes portions of Maryland within a marginal risk area for severe thunderstorms through early Sunday morning. While the highest severe weather threat is expected farther west and north, forecasters say some storms moving into Maryland could still become strong enough to produce damaging winds and hail.
According to the SPC, clusters of thunderstorms are expected to develop and intensify across the Ohio Valley and Northeast throughout the afternoon and evening. Some of these storms may track eastward into the Mid-Atlantic region.
Damaging wind gusts are the primary concern, with the potential for isolated large hail in the strongest thunderstorms. Strong winds could bring down tree limbs, cause scattered power outages and create hazardous travel conditions.
Forecasters noted that the overall severity of the storms in Maryland will depend on how much instability develops during the day and how organized thunderstorm clusters become as they move east.
Residents are encouraged to monitor weather forecasts and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions, especially during the afternoon and evening hours when severe weather potential is expected to be greatest.
The threat is expected to diminish overnight as storms continue moving east.
