Not again, another Flood Watch issued for portions of central Maryland to round out this holiday workweek. We look to continue to add on too our yearly record breaking 70+ inches of rain in Baltimore with another 1-2"+ of rain forecast for Friday morning and afternoon. Besides the water aspect to the storm system we do look to benefit as air temperatures climb well into the 60 degree range.
TIMING
A Flood Watch is in place for Southeast Harford, Anne Arundel, Central & Southeast Howard, Southern Baltimore, Baltimore City, Central & Southeast Montgomery Prince Georges, Kent, and Cecil counties from Friday morning into the evening hours. A watch means that conditions are favorable for flooding with 1-2" of rain in the forecast and the possibility of 2"+ in localized areas.
Rain is set to arrive late tonight from western Maryland before pushing east into Baltimore for the morning rush hour commute home. Heavy rain and even a few rumbles of thunder look to arrive late Friday morning into the early afternoon hours. This will be our best bet for flooding before the front clears the area late Friday afternoon.
Once again a potent area of low pressure to our west is responsible for the super soaking. This same storm system is responsible for over a foot of snow in Minnesota and numerous reports of severe weather across the Deep South.
The worst of the rain though looks to come in Friday morning (6-8am) with the best chance of flash flooding throughout the mid morning period and then again Friday midday. The front will then clear the area after (2-4pm) putting an end to the rainy weather. Skies will not clear though until late Friday night into Saturday.
BALTIMORE/I-95 CORRIDOR IMPACTS
Many locations look to receive 1-2" of rainfall with localized pockets of 3"+ closer to the I-95 stretch. Wind gusts upwards of 20-30 mph with any thunderstorms that may form. Urban street and stream flooding likely. Areas of concern based on recent rain Howard County (Patapsco River) and Montgomery County.
EASTERN SHORE/KENT ISLAND/ANNAPOLIS/CECILTON
1-2" rainfall amounts with localized areas of 3" or more. Heavy ponding on the roads with urban street and small stream flooding. Minor coastal flooding concerns as winds come in from the east piling the water up into the Chesapeake Bay.
SOUTHERN MARYLAND/OCEAN CITY/SALISBURY
0.5-1" rainfall amounts Friday. Low end severe weather risk with damaging winds south of MD 92. Temperatures could touch 65 to maybe even 70 degrees.
MOUNTAIN MARYLAND/FREDERICK COUNTY POINTS WEST
0.5-1" of rainfall with localized heavier pockets. High temperatures even here right around 60 degrees.
The time is now to think about your flooding precautions. If you live in a low lying area remember to seek higher ground when a warning is issued. Never drive through high water since you may not know what is underneath of it or in it. The old saying "Remember Turn Around Don't Drown." A common saying that oh so many do not listen too. Please do not take it for granted since these situations look to change very quickly.
Rain is out Friday evening with clearing skies and temperatures near 50. Next shot of heavy rain comes New Years Eve and into 2019 as highs climb back toward 60 degrees.
