Maryland is heading into a week that starts fairly manageable, but quickly turns much hotter and more humid as we get closer to the Fourth of July holiday period.
Monday and Tuesday look like the two more comfortable days of the week, though it will still feel warm and increasingly summer-like. By Wednesday, the heat begins building in a bigger way. Thursday and Friday look like the peak of the heat across Maryland, with many inland areas likely pushing into the upper 90s to near 100 degrees, and heat index values potentially reaching dangerous levels.
The main message this week is simple: get outdoor work and errands done earlier in the week if possible, because the heat becomes much more serious by mid-to-late week.
Big Picture for the Week
A strong area of high pressure will build over the eastern United States during the week. That setup usually means hotter temperatures, more sunshine, lighter winds, and fewer widespread rain chances.
For Maryland, this means:
- Monday: Mostly dry, warm, and manageable
- Tuesday: Warmer, still mostly dry
- Wednesday: Heat begins to build significantly
- Thursday: Very hot and humid, potentially dangerous heat
- Friday: Very hot again, with a late-day storm chance returning
This does not look like a week full of daily rain. In fact, rain chances look fairly low for much of the week. The bigger concern is heat, humidity, and how long the heat lasts.
Monday Forecast
Monday starts the week on a quieter note.
Most of Maryland should see a partly sunny to mostly sunny day with lower rain chances compared to the weekend. A stray afternoon shower cannot be completely ruled out, especially over the mountains of Western Maryland, but most of the state stays dry.
Temperatures will generally reach the 80s statewide. Western Maryland will be cooler, especially Garrett County and the higher elevations, while central Maryland, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore warm into the mid to upper 80s.
Monday by Region
Western Maryland, including Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties, should expect a warm but manageable day. Garrett County stays cooler in the mountains, while Cumberland and Hagerstown warm into the 80s.
North-central Maryland, including Frederick, Carroll, Montgomery, and Howard counties, should see a warm day with highs mainly in the mid to upper 80s.
The Baltimore metro and northern Maryland, including Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel, Harford, and Cecil counties, should expect a mostly dry day with temperatures in the 80s.
Southern Maryland, including Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties, should be warm and somewhat humid, but not yet at the peak heat levels expected later in the week.
The Eastern Shore, including Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester counties, should see a warm and mostly dry day. Ocean City and Assateague will be cooler than inland areas thanks to the water influence.
Tuesday Forecast
Tuesday turns warmer across Maryland.
Most areas should stay dry again, with only a small chance for a stray afternoon shower or storm near the higher terrain of Western Maryland. For the rest of the state, the day looks mainly dry with increasing sunshine and rising humidity.
Highs will likely reach the upper 80s to lower 90s for much of Maryland. The mountains stay cooler, while inland central, southern, and eastern Maryland become noticeably hotter.
Tuesday by Region
Garrett County should stay in the lower to mid 80s, while Allegany and Washington counties warm into the mid to upper 80s.
Frederick, Carroll, Montgomery, and Howard counties should reach the upper 80s to lower 90s.
Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford, Cecil, and Anne Arundel counties should also reach the upper 80s to lower 90s, with areas near the Bay slightly cooler at times.
Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties should see highs near 90 degrees, with humidity becoming more noticeable.
Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester counties should expect highs mostly in the upper 80s to lower 90s inland. Ocean City and Assateague should stay cooler, mainly in the 80s.
Wednesday Forecast
Wednesday is when the heat starts becoming a bigger story.
High pressure builds stronger over the region, and temperatures climb into the 90s for much of Maryland. Humidity will also increase, making it feel hotter than the actual air temperature.
Rain chances look very low for most of the state. A very isolated shower or storm is possible, but most places should stay dry.
Wednesday by Region
Western Maryland will still be the coolest part of the state, but even Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties will feel warmer. Garrett County may stay in the mid to upper 80s, while Cumberland and Hagerstown could approach or reach the lower 90s.
Frederick, Carroll, Montgomery, and Howard counties should expect highs in the lower to mid 90s.
Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford, Cecil, and Anne Arundel counties will likely be hot, with highs in the lower to mid 90s and humidity making it feel hotter.
Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties should also reach the lower to mid 90s, with heat index values climbing.
The Eastern Shore becomes hot inland. Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester counties should expect many inland spots to reach the 90s. Ocean City and Assateague remain cooler, but the air will still feel humid.
Thursday Forecast
Thursday looks like one of the hottest days of the week.
Many inland areas of Maryland may reach the upper 90s, and a few spots could approach 100 degrees. When humidity is added in, heat index values may climb into the 100s. This is the type of heat that can become dangerous, especially for people working outside, older adults, young children, people without reliable cooling, and pets.
Rain chances remain low for most of Maryland, so there may not be much relief from clouds or storms.
Thursday by Region
Garrett County remains cooler than the rest of Maryland, but even the mountains will be hot for that area. Highs may reach the mid to upper 80s. Allegany and Washington counties will likely reach the 90s, with Cumberland and Hagerstown feeling very hot during the afternoon.
Frederick, Carroll, Montgomery, and Howard counties should expect very hot and humid conditions, with highs in the mid to upper 90s and heat index values possibly over 100 degrees.
Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford, Cecil, and Anne Arundel counties should prepare for dangerous heat. Urban areas and the I-95 corridor may feel especially hot, and heat index values may climb into the 100s.
Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties may be among the more uncomfortable areas, especially away from the immediate water. Heat index values may become dangerous during the afternoon.
The Eastern Shore will be hot as well. Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester counties should expect inland highs in the upper 90s, with some areas possibly near 100. Ocean City and Assateague stay cooler, but humidity near the coast may still make it feel uncomfortable.
Friday Forecast
Friday continues the heat and humidity.
This may be another very hot day across Maryland, with widespread 90s and heat index values again potentially reaching dangerous levels. For many areas, Friday may feel just as bad as Thursday.
The difference by Friday is that storm chances may start to return later in the day. The heat and humidity will provide plenty of energy, so any storms that form late Friday could be strong. It is still too early to know exact timing or coverage, but late-day and evening storm chances will need to be watched closely.
Friday by Region
Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties stay hot, with Western Maryland still slightly cooler than the rest of the state. A late-day storm chance may begin to increase near the mountains.
Frederick, Carroll, Montgomery, and Howard counties should prepare for another hot and humid day. Afternoon and evening storms are possible, especially if a disturbance rides along the edge of the heat.
Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel, Harford, and Cecil counties should expect dangerous heat again. Storm chances may increase later in the day or evening, but the exact timing is uncertain.
Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties should expect another very hot day with heat index values in the danger range. A late-day storm is possible, but widespread rain is not guaranteed.
The Eastern Shore, including Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester counties, should expect very hot inland conditions. Ocean City, Assateague, and the immediate coast stay cooler than inland communities, but humidity will still be a factor. Storm chances may begin increasing by late Friday or Friday evening.
Heat Risk This Week
The heat is the biggest concern this week.
Wednesday begins the more serious heat buildup, while Thursday and Friday look like the peak. Heat index values may rise above 100 degrees across many areas, with some spots potentially approaching 105 to 110 degrees.
This level of heat can be dangerous if people are outside too long or do not have ways to cool down.
Basic heat safety reminders:
- Drink water before you feel thirsty
- Take breaks in shade or air conditioning
- Avoid strenuous outdoor work during the hottest part of the day
- Check on older adults and anyone without reliable cooling
- Never leave children or pets in a vehicle
- Walk pets early in the morning or later in the evening
- Watch pavement temperatures for dogs
- Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
Heat alerts may be issued later in the week, so Marylanders should keep checking updates.
Storm Chances This Week
Rain chances are fairly low for much of the week.
Monday and Tuesday may bring a stray shower or storm, mainly in Western Maryland. Wednesday and Thursday look mostly dry for most areas. By Friday, storm chances may start increasing again, especially during the afternoon and evening.
Because of the intense heat and humidity, any storms that develop late in the week could be strong. This will need to be watched as we get closer.
Beach & Bay Forecast
Ocean City, Assateague, and coastal Worcester County will be cooler than inland Maryland this week, but still warm and humid.
The beaches look mostly dry for much of the week, with better storm chances possibly returning by Friday. Even though coastal temperatures may stay lower than the I-95 corridor and inland Eastern Shore, humidity will still make it feel uncomfortable at times.
Along the Chesapeake Bay, temperatures may run slightly cooler right near the water, but the air will still feel hot and humid. Annapolis, Kent Island, Rock Hall, Cambridge, Solomons, North Beach, Chesapeake Beach, and other Bay communities should prepare for a hot week, especially Wednesday through Friday.
Boaters should watch for daily sea breezes and keep an eye out for any late-day storms, especially by Friday.
County-by-County Coverage
Garrett County: Warm early in the week, then hot for the mountains by Wednesday through Friday. Still cooler than the rest of Maryland, but heat will be noticeable.
Allegany County: Warm Monday and Tuesday, then hotter by midweek. Cumberland and surrounding areas may reach the 90s by Wednesday through Friday.
Washington County: Mostly dry early in the week, with heat building quickly by Wednesday. Hagerstown may see several days in the 90s.
Frederick County: Warm Monday, hotter Tuesday, and very hot Wednesday through Friday. Heat index values may become dangerous late week.
Carroll County: Mainly dry early, then hot and humid by midweek. Thursday and Friday look especially uncomfortable.
Montgomery County: Heat builds through the week, with dangerous heat possible Thursday and Friday. Storm chances stay low until late Friday.
Howard County: Mostly dry for much of the week, with the strongest heat arriving Wednesday through Friday.
Baltimore County: Hotter each day this week, with dangerous heat possible late week, especially away from the Bay.
Baltimore City: Urban heat will be a concern. Thursday and Friday may feel especially dangerous during the afternoon and evening.
Harford County: Mostly dry early, then very hot by mid-to-late week. Bel Air, Aberdeen, and Havre de Grace should prepare for high heat.
Cecil County: Warm early, very hot by Wednesday through Friday. A late Friday storm chance may return.
Anne Arundel County: Hot and humid this week, especially inland from the Bay. Annapolis may be slightly cooler near the water but still uncomfortable.
Prince George’s County: Very hot and humid by mid-to-late week. Heat index values may become dangerous Thursday and Friday.
Charles County: A hot week ahead, especially Wednesday through Friday. Outdoor work and activities should be planned carefully.
Calvert County: Increasing heat and humidity, with some moderation near the Bay but still very hot inland.
St. Mary’s County: Hot, humid, and mostly dry for much of the week. Heat risk increases significantly by Thursday and Friday.
Kent County: Mostly dry early, then hot and humid by midweek. Inland areas may become very hot Thursday and Friday.
Queen Anne’s County: Hotter each day, with dangerous heat possible late week. Kent Island may be slightly cooler near the water.
Talbot County: Very warm early in the week, then hot and humid by Wednesday through Friday. St. Michaels and Easton will feel the late-week heat.
Caroline County: Inland Eastern Shore heat becomes a major issue late week, with highs potentially near the upper 90s.
Dorchester County: Hot and humid by midweek, especially inland. Cambridge may feel slightly moderated near the water, but heat will still be a concern.
Wicomico County: Salisbury and surrounding areas should prepare for significant heat Thursday and Friday, with storm chances possibly returning late Friday.
Somerset County: Hot and humid late week, with dangerous heat possible inland. Crisfield may be slightly cooler near the water.
Worcester County: Inland Worcester County, including Snow Hill and Pocomoke City, becomes very hot late week. Ocean City and Assateague stay cooler but humid.
Bottom Line
Maryland starts the week fairly quiet, but the weather story quickly becomes the heat.
Monday and Tuesday look mostly dry and manageable. Wednesday begins the stronger heat buildup. Thursday and Friday may bring dangerous heat and humidity across much of the state, with heat index values potentially climbing above 100 degrees in many areas.
Late Friday may also bring the return of scattered thunderstorm chances.
This is a week to take the heat seriously, especially heading into the Fourth of July holiday period.