Happy Fourth of July, Maryland! 🇺🇸
Whether you’re heading to a parade, spending the afternoon at the pool, enjoying a backyard cookout, or ending the day with fireworks, today will be another day that requires keeping a close eye on the weather.
The biggest headlines are dangerous heat during the afternoon and the potential for scattered thunderstorms later in the day and evening. It will not rain everywhere, but any storm that develops could become strong with damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning, torrential rainfall, and localized flooding. The overall pattern remains consistent with National Weather Service guidance across Maryland heading into the holiday. (National Weather Service)
🌅 Morning Commute
The day begins warm, humid, and mainly sunny statewide.
Morning temperatures:
- Garrett County: Upper 60s to low 70s
- Allegany & Washington Counties: Low 70s
- Frederick, Carroll & northern Baltimore County: Low to mid 70s
- Baltimore Metro & I-95 Corridor: Mid 70s
- Central Maryland & DC Suburbs: Mid to upper 70s
- Southern Maryland: Mid 70s
- Upper Eastern Shore: Mid 70s
- Lower Eastern Shore: Mid 70s
- Ocean City & Assateague: Mid 70s
Road conditions remain dry with excellent visibility. Southwest winds stay light, making for an easy start to holiday travel. The heat builds quickly after 9 AM.
☀️ Daytime Forecast
Temperatures soar through late morning and afternoon under a mix of sunshine and increasing clouds.
Western Maryland
Garrett County
- High: Upper 80s
- Mostly sunny
- Lower humidity than the rest of Maryland
- Isolated storm possible late day
Allegany County
- High: Low 90s
- Very hot
- Afternoon storm chance increases
Washington County
- High: Low to mid 90s
- Dangerous heat develops
- Storm chance late afternoon
North-Central Maryland
Frederick, Carroll, Baltimore, Harford & Cecil Counties
- Highs: 96–100°
- Heat index: 105–110°
- Mostly sunny through early afternoon
- Storms possible late afternoon into evening
Baltimore Metro
- High: 98–100°
- Heat index: Around 110°
- Mostly sunny and extremely hot
- Thunderstorm risk increases late afternoon
Central Maryland & DC Suburbs
Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s & Anne Arundel Counties
- Highs: 98–100°
- Heat index: 105–110°
- Dangerous heat throughout the afternoon
- Isolated to scattered storms possible late day
Southern Maryland
Calvert, Charles & St. Mary’s Counties
- Highs: Upper 90s to near 100°
- Oppressive humidity
- Storm coverage may be slightly lower than farther north, but any storm could become strong
Eastern Shore
Kent, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Talbot, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset & Worcester Counties
- Inland highs: Mid to upper 90s
- Ocean City & Assateague: Low to mid 80s
- Increasing clouds late afternoon
- Isolated to scattered thunderstorms possible during the evening, mainly inland first
🥵 Heat Safety
Extreme Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories remain in effect for portions of Maryland.
Expect:
- Heat index values between 105° and 110° in many locations
- Very warm overnight temperatures providing little relief
- Elevated risk of heat-related illness during the afternoon
If you’ll be spending time outdoors:
- Drink water frequently.
- Wear lightweight clothing.
- Take breaks in the shade or air conditioning.
- Never leave children or pets inside a vehicle.
- Check on elderly family members and neighbors. (National Weather Service
)
🌩️ Evening Forecast & Fireworks
This is the part of today’s forecast that deserves the closest attention.
Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop during the late afternoon and evening as the atmosphere becomes increasingly unstable.
Not every community will receive rain.
However, storms that do develop may produce:
- Damaging wind gusts
- Frequent lightning
- Torrential rainfall
- Brief localized flooding
- Rapid reductions in visibility
Fireworks Outlook 🎆
Many fireworks displays across Maryland should still be able to proceed.
However:
- Some communities could experience delays.
- Others may need temporary shelter if thunderstorms move nearby.
- Anyone attending outdoor celebrations should monitor radar and weather alerts throughout the evening.
If thunder is heard or lightning is observed nearby, move indoors immediately and wait until conditions improve before returning outside.
🚗 Travel Impacts
Morning: Excellent travel conditions.
Afternoon: Heat becomes the primary concern for outdoor activities and holiday travel.
Evening: Localized thunderstorms could produce brief travel delays, ponding of water on roads, gusty winds, and reduced visibility.
📍Maryland Regional Summary
🌞 Western Maryland: Hot, with isolated late-day storms.
🌞 North-Central Maryland: Dangerous heat followed by scattered thunderstorms.
🌞 Baltimore Metro: Near 100° with a chance of evening storms.
🌞 Central Maryland & DC Suburbs: Oppressive heat and increasing late-day storm chances.
🌞 Southern Maryland: Very hot and humid with isolated evening storms.
🌞 Eastern Shore: Hot inland, cooler beaches, with isolated to scattered evening thunderstorms.
Final Thoughts
Today’s weather can be summed up in three words:
Hot. Humid. Weather-Aware.
Much of the day will be suitable for outdoor celebrations, but dangerous heat will require extra precautions, and everyone should keep an eye on the sky during the late afternoon and evening in case thunderstorms develop.
Have a safe, enjoyable, and Happy Fourth of July from all of us at MD Weather Alerts! 🇺🇸🎆
Forecast based on the latest guidance from National Weather Service forecast offices serving Maryland, including Baltimore/Washington, Wakefield, Mount Holly, and State College where applicable. (National Weather Service)