Thursday, July 9, 2026
Maryland gets a calmer evening and overnight period first, but the break will not last long. After several days of humid, stormy, and locally flood-prone weather, another round of showers and thunderstorms is expected to return Thursday, especially during the afternoon and evening.
This does not look like an all-day washout for everyone. The morning may be manageable in many areas. The bigger concern develops later in the day as humidity increases, temperatures rise, and storms become more likely across the state.
The main threats Thursday will be heavy downpours, frequent lightning, gusty to damaging winds in stronger storms, and localized flash flooding where storms repeat or drop rain quickly. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted parts of the Mid-Atlantic for a Slight Risk of severe thunderstorms Thursday, with damaging gust potential mentioned for storms moving across Delmarva and the Mid-Atlantic coast by evening.
Straight-to-the-Point Forecast
Thursday will turn warmer, more humid, and stormier across Maryland.
Morning: Mostly cloudy to partly cloudy, humid, and not stormy for everyone. A few showers or storms may be around, especially later in the morning.
Midday through evening: Showers and thunderstorms become more likely. This is the main window to watch.
Main concerns: Heavy rain, lightning, gusty to damaging winds, localized flooding, and quick changes for outdoor plans.
High temperatures: Upper 70s to low 80s in the mountains, low to mid 80s in western and north-central Maryland, mid to upper 80s around Baltimore and the DC suburbs, and upper 80s to near 90 in Southern Maryland and parts of the Eastern Shore.
Active Alerts and Weather Concerns
As of this check, there are no verified active Maryland Tornado Warnings, Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, Flash Flood Warnings, Flood Watches, or Heat Advisories.
There is a Coastal Flood Advisory for the shoreline of Anne Arundel County from 10 PM Wednesday to 4 AM Thursday, mainly around the time of high tide. NWS says up to about one-half foot of inundation above ground level is expected in low-lying shoreline areas, including possible flooding near Dock Street in Annapolis.
Hazardous Weather Outlooks remain posted for parts of Maryland. NWS Baltimore/Washington says a few severe thunderstorms capable of damaging winds are possible Thursday afternoon into early evening, especially east of the Blue Ridge, and localized flash flooding is also possible.
For the Maryland beaches, NWS Wakefield listed a Moderate Rip Current Risk through Wednesday evening, with lower rip current risk expected later in the week.
Tonight Into Early Thursday
Tonight should be much quieter than the stormy stretch earlier this week, but not perfectly clear everywhere.
Most of Maryland will stay partly to mostly cloudy and humid. A few showers or storms may develop late tonight into early Thursday as a warm front lifts north. NWS Baltimore/Washington notes an increasing chance of showers and embedded thunderstorms late tonight through mid-morning Thursday, along with possible low clouds, patchy fog, or mist near dawn.
For the Baltimore/Washington corridor, lows should mainly fall into the low to mid 70s. Western and north-central Maryland will be cooler, generally in the 60s. Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore should stay muggy, with lows in the low to mid 70s.
Drivers early Thursday should watch for areas of patchy fog, low clouds, and damp roads, especially where recent rain has left wet spots behind.
Thursday Morning Forecast
Thursday morning does not look like the highest-risk part of the day, but it will already feel more humid.
Some areas may start with clouds, fog, or a few showers. The better storm environment builds later, but any morning shower could still briefly reduce visibility or create damp roads.
This is the best window for outdoor plans, travel, and errands before storm chances increase during the afternoon. It will not be perfectly dry statewide, but the more organized thunderstorm risk should hold off until later.
Thursday Afternoon and Evening Storm Risk
The main forecast concern is Thursday afternoon into early evening.
NWS Baltimore/Washington says confidence is increasing that thunderstorms will develop near western Maryland and then progress east across the area during the afternoon into early evening, with strong wind gusts and very heavy rain possible.
NWS Mount Holly also highlights Thursday afternoon and evening as the main timing window for the Eastern Shore, Delaware, southern New Jersey, and nearby areas. Their discussion specifically notes damaging wind gusts and heavy rain leading to localized flash flooding as the two main threats, with the main timing from roughly 4 PM to 10 PM for the eastern shores of Maryland, Delaware, and southern New Jersey.
Storms may not hit every county the same way. Some towns may only get a brief shower, while nearby areas could see a strong thunderstorm with heavy rain, lightning, and gusty winds. The concern is highest where storms become clustered or repeat over the same locations.
County and Regional Breakdown
Western Maryland — Garrett, Allegany, Washington
Storm chances increase Thursday, but the highest severe focus may shift east as the day goes on. Still, Western Maryland should watch for developing showers and storms, especially from midday into the afternoon. Heavy downpours, lightning, and gusty winds are possible. Mountain roads may become slick quickly in any heavier rain.
North-Central Maryland — Frederick, Carroll, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Harford, Cecil
This region needs to stay alert Thursday afternoon and evening. Storms may develop west first and then move east. Heavy rain, lightning, and gusty winds are the main concerns. If storms hold together, localized damaging wind gusts and brief flooding are possible, especially in urban or poor-drainage areas.
Central Maryland / DC Suburbs — Montgomery, Howard, Prince George’s, Anne Arundel
The afternoon and evening period is the main time to watch. Storms may bring sudden heavy rain, ponding, lightning, and gusty winds. Anne Arundel County also has the coastal flooding concern overnight into early Thursday along low-lying shoreline areas, especially near Annapolis around high tide.
Southern Maryland — Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s
Storms may become more likely later Thursday, especially during the afternoon and evening. Any stronger storm could bring heavy rain, frequent lightning, and gusty winds. Waterfront areas should keep an eye on the sky, especially if storms approach the Chesapeake Bay, Patuxent River, or tidal Potomac.
Upper Eastern Shore — Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Caroline
The Eastern Shore is one of the areas to watch closely Thursday afternoon and evening. NWS Mount Holly has highlighted the eastern shores of Maryland for a higher concern for severe storms and localized flash flooding Thursday, especially with very high moisture in place.
Lower Eastern Shore — Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, Worcester
Humidity builds Thursday, and storm chances increase later in the day. Stronger storms may bring damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall, and quick visibility drops. Beach areas should not assume they are completely out of the risk, especially later Thursday into Thursday evening.
Temperatures Thursday
Thursday will feel noticeably more humid again.
Expected highs:
Western Maryland mountains: upper 70s to low 80s
Western Maryland valleys: low to mid 80s
North-central Maryland: low to mid 80s
Baltimore metro: mid to upper 80s
DC suburbs: upper 80s
Southern Maryland: upper 80s to near 90
Upper Eastern Shore: mid to upper 80s
Lower Eastern Shore: upper 80s to near 90
Ocean City and beach areas: low to mid 80s
NWS Mount Holly notes that dew points should climb into the mid 70s Thursday, making it feel much more humid, with heat index values in the low to mid 90s for parts of its forecast area.
Travel and Outdoor Impacts
Thursday is not a day to cancel everything early, but it is a day to keep a backup plan.
Morning travel should be mostly manageable, aside from patchy fog, low clouds, or damp roads. The afternoon and evening commute could become more difficult if storms line up near major routes.
Potential impacts include sudden downpours on I-95, I-695, I-495, I-70, I-270, I-97, US-50, MD-295, and Eastern Shore routes. Storms may cause ponding, low visibility, lightning delays, and slower traffic.
For outdoor events, sports, beach trips, boating, or evening plans, keep radar nearby and have a safe indoor place ready. If thunder is heard, move indoors.
Safety Reminders
Charge your phone before storms arrive. Keep weather alerts turned on. Bring in loose outdoor items. Avoid parking under weak trees if stronger storms are nearby. Do not drive through flooded roads. If a warning is issued, act quickly.
Flooding can happen fast in Maryland, especially in low-lying roads, urban areas, underpasses, and poor-drainage spots. It does not take much water to make a road dangerous.
Bottom Line
Maryland gets a quieter night first, but Thursday brings the next weather concern.
The main storm window is Thursday afternoon into Thursday evening. Not everyone will see severe weather, but stronger storms are possible, especially east of the Blue Ridge and toward central/eastern Maryland and the Eastern Shore. The main threats are heavy rain, lightning, gusty to damaging winds, and localized flooding.
Keep alerts on Thursday, especially if you have outdoor plans or will be traveling during the afternoon and evening.