Maryland is facing one of the most dangerous heat days of the week today.
The morning starts dry and already warm, but the heat builds fast. By late morning and afternoon, much of Maryland will be in dangerous heat territory, with many inland areas reaching the upper 90s to around 100 degrees or higher. When humidity is added in, heat index values may climb into the 105 to 110 degree range for many communities, with some of the hottest areas possibly feeling even hotter.
This is not a typical hot July day. This is the kind of heat that can become dangerous quickly, especially for outdoor workers, kids, older adults, pets, people without reliable cooling, and anyone spending long periods outside.
The main message for today: limit outdoor activity, check on others, protect pets, and take this heat seriously.
Statewide Overview
Thursday will be mostly sunny, very hot, and humid across Maryland.
Rain chances are very low during the day because strong high pressure is sitting over the region. That means there will not be much help from clouds or storms to cool things down. The heat will build steadily through the morning and peak during the afternoon.
Most inland areas will reach the upper 90s to lower 100s. The mountains of Garrett County will be cooler, but still hot for that part of the state. The immediate beaches, including Ocean City and Assateague, will be cooler than inland Maryland, but humidity and strong sun will still be concerns.
The worst of the heat will be across lower elevations, urban areas, inland Southern Maryland, the Baltimore/Washington corridor, north-central Maryland, and inland parts of the Eastern Shore.
Morning Commute Forecast: 6 AM to 9 AM
The Thursday morning commute looks dry across Maryland, but it will already feel warm and humid.
No widespread rain, storms, or fog are expected during the main commute window. Roads should be dry statewide, and visibility should be good. The weather-related travel impact in the morning should be low, but the heat will become noticeable quickly after sunrise.
Morning temperatures will generally start in the 70s for most of Maryland, with some upper 60s in the mountains and warmer mid to upper 70s near the Bay, Baltimore metro, D.C. suburbs, and Eastern Shore.
The morning is the safest time to get outdoor errands, yard work, pet walks, and strenuous activities done. Once late morning arrives, conditions become much more uncomfortable.
Daytime Forecast
Thursday afternoon brings dangerous heat across most of Maryland.
Many inland locations will climb into the upper 90s to around 100 degrees, and some spots may reach the lower 100s. Humidity will make it feel even hotter, with heat index values likely above 105 in many areas.
The highest heat risk will be during the late morning through early evening, especially from about 11 AM to 7 PM.
Outdoor conditions will be hazardous for long exposure. Heat illness can happen faster than people realize in this kind of setup, especially when there is limited shade, hot pavement, and little breeze.
Daytime impacts include:
- Dangerous heat index values
- Heat stress for outdoor workers
- Higher risk for heat exhaustion
- Hot pavement for pets
- Very hot cars in minutes
- Increased cooling demand
- Limited relief from clouds or rain
- Warm indoor conditions for homes without good cooling
Most areas stay dry through the afternoon. Storm chances are very low today.
Evening Forecast
Thursday evening stays very warm and humid.
Even after sunset, temperatures will be slow to drop. Many areas will remain in the 80s well into the evening, and urban areas may hold onto the heat even longer. Baltimore City, the I-95 corridor, and more developed communities may have limited relief overnight.
Rain chances remain very low during the evening. Skies should be mostly clear to partly cloudy.
Evening outdoor plans may be a little better than the afternoon, but it will still feel hot. People should continue drinking water and taking breaks, especially at evening events, practices, cookouts, or outdoor gatherings.
Heat Alerts & Safety
Extreme heat alerts are in place for much of Maryland today and into the end of the week.
The heat risk is highest for:
- Outdoor workers
- Older adults
- Young children
- Pregnant people
- People without reliable air conditioning
- People with chronic health conditions
- Pets and outdoor animals
- Anyone exercising or playing sports outside
- People attending outdoor events
Heat safety reminders:
- Drink water before you feel thirsty
- Avoid heavy outdoor work during the afternoon
- Take breaks in air conditioning or shade
- Check on older adults and neighbors
- Never leave children or pets in a vehicle
- Walk pets early in the morning or later in the evening
- Touch pavement before walking dogs
- Keep pets indoors during peak heat
- Make sure outdoor animals have shade and water
- Bring large containers of water outside for wildlife, birds, and strays where safe
- Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
Signs of heat exhaustion may include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, or feeling faint.
Heat stroke is an emergency. Warning signs can include confusion, passing out, hot skin, or a very high body temperature.
County-by-County Forecast
Garrett County
Garrett County stays the coolest part of Maryland, but it will still be hot for the mountains. Oakland, Deep Creek Lake, Grantsville, and surrounding areas should expect highs mainly in the 80s. Heat impacts are lower compared to the rest of the state, but strong sun and warm temperatures still matter for outdoor activities.
Allegany County
Allegany County will be hot, especially in lower elevations. Cumberland and LaVale may reach the 90s, with heat index values near or above 100 possible. Frostburg and higher elevations stay somewhat cooler, but the afternoon will still feel very warm.
Washington County
Washington County will be very hot. Hagerstown, Williamsport, Hancock, Boonsboro, and surrounding areas should expect highs in the upper 90s to near 100. Heat index values may reach dangerous levels during the afternoon. Outdoor work should be limited during peak heating.
Frederick County
Frederick County will be dangerously hot. Frederick, Thurmont, Brunswick, Urbana, Walkersville, and nearby communities may reach the upper 90s to around 100. Heat index values may climb near or above 105. The morning is the safest time for outdoor activity.
Carroll County
Carroll County will be hot and humid. Westminster, Eldersburg, Hampstead, Mount Airy, and surrounding areas should expect highs in the upper 90s. Heat index values may reach dangerous levels during the afternoon and early evening.
Montgomery County
Montgomery County will face dangerous heat today. Rockville, Germantown, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Bethesda, Olney, Clarksburg, and surrounding areas should expect highs near 100 in spots, with heat index values above 105 possible. Limit outdoor exposure during the afternoon.
Howard County
Howard County will be very hot and humid. Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge, Laurel, and surrounding areas should expect highs in the upper 90s to near 100. Heat index values may become dangerous by midday and continue into the early evening.
Baltimore County
Baltimore County will be dangerously hot. Towson, Catonsville, Parkville, Perry Hall, Owings Mills, Dundalk, Essex, and northern county areas should expect highs in the upper 90s to near 100. Areas closer to the water may be slightly cooler, but humidity keeps the heat risk high.
Baltimore City
Baltimore City will be one of the most uncomfortable areas today. Urban surfaces will hold heat, and temperatures may reach around 100 or higher. Heat index values may climb well above 105. The evening may offer limited relief because the city will hold onto heat after sunset.
Harford County
Harford County will be hot and humid. Bel Air, Aberdeen, Havre de Grace, Edgewood, Joppatowne, Fallston, and surrounding areas should expect highs in the upper 90s. Areas near the Bay may be slightly cooler, but dangerous heat index values are still possible.
Cecil County
Cecil County will see dangerous heat today. Elkton, North East, Rising Sun, Perryville, Chesapeake City, and nearby communities should expect highs in the upper 90s to around 100 inland. Heat index values may reach the 105 to 110 range.
Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County will be hot and humid. Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Severna Park, Crofton, Odenton, Pasadena, and surrounding areas should expect highs in the 90s to near 100 inland. The Bay may provide slight cooling along the shoreline, but it will still feel dangerous.
Prince George’s County
Prince George’s County will be in a high-risk heat zone. Bowie, College Park, Laurel, Greenbelt, Hyattsville, Upper Marlboro, and nearby communities should expect highs near 100, with heat index values above 105 possible. Avoid long outdoor exposure today.
Charles County
Charles County will be very hot and humid. Waldorf, La Plata, Indian Head, Bryans Road, and surrounding areas should expect highs in the upper 90s to near 100. Heat index values may become dangerous during the afternoon.
Calvert County
Calvert County will be hot, especially away from the immediate Bay. Prince Frederick, Dunkirk, Chesapeake Beach, North Beach, Lusby, and Solomons should expect highs in the 90s. Waterfront areas may be slightly cooler, but humidity keeps the heat risk elevated.
St. Mary’s County
St. Mary’s County will be hot and humid. Leonardtown, Lexington Park, California, Charlotte Hall, and surrounding communities should expect highs in the 90s, with heat index values potentially above 105 in some inland spots. Areas near the water may be slightly cooler but still uncomfortable.
Kent County
Kent County will be very hot, especially inland. Chestertown, Rock Hall, Galena, and nearby communities should expect highs in the 90s. Heat index values may climb into dangerous territory. Waterfront spots may be slightly cooler but still humid.
Queen Anne’s County
Queen Anne’s County will be hot and humid. Centreville, Stevensville, Kent Island, Grasonville, and nearby areas should expect highs in the 90s, with inland areas feeling hotter. Kent Island may be slightly cooler near the Bay, but heat impacts remain a concern.
Talbot County
Talbot County will be very hot inland. Easton, St. Michaels, Oxford, Trappe, and surrounding communities should expect highs in the 90s. Heat index values may reach dangerous levels, especially away from the water.
Caroline County
Caroline County may be one of the hotter inland Eastern Shore counties. Denton, Greensboro, Ridgely, Federalsburg, and nearby areas should expect highs in the upper 90s to around 100. Heat index values may reach 105 to 110 during the afternoon.
Dorchester County
Dorchester County will be hot and humid. Cambridge, Hurlock, Secretary, and surrounding areas should expect highs in the 90s, with heat index values in the 100s. Areas near the water may be slightly cooler, but inland areas will feel dangerous.
Wicomico County
Wicomico County will be very hot. Salisbury, Fruitland, Delmar, and surrounding communities should expect highs in the upper 90s. Heat index values may reach dangerous levels, especially during the afternoon and early evening.
Somerset County
Somerset County will be hot and humid. Princess Anne, Crisfield, Deal Island, and nearby areas should expect highs in the 90s inland, with slightly cooler readings near the water. Humidity will keep heat index values elevated.
Worcester County
Worcester County will have a split forecast. Inland areas such as Snow Hill, Berlin, and Pocomoke City will be hot, with highs in the 90s and heat index values in the 100s. Ocean City and Assateague will be cooler, mainly in the 80s, but beachgoers still need to take sun exposure and hydration seriously.
Chesapeake Bay & Beaches
The Chesapeake Bay may provide some slight cooling right along the shoreline, but it will not eliminate the heat risk.
Annapolis, Kent Island, Rock Hall, Havre de Grace, North Beach, Chesapeake Beach, Cambridge, Solomons, and other waterfront communities should still expect hot and humid conditions.
Ocean City and Assateague will be cooler than inland Maryland, but beachgoers should not ignore the heat. Direct sun, sand, crowds, and humidity can still lead to heat stress.
Boaters should bring extra water, take breaks from direct sun, and watch for signs of heat illness. Even on the water, dehydration can happen quickly.
Bottom Line
Thursday is a dangerous heat day across Maryland.
The morning commute is dry and quiet, but the heat builds fast. By afternoon, many areas will be in the upper 90s to near or above 100, with heat index values above 105 and possibly near 110 in some communities.
Most of the state stays dry, meaning there will be little relief from rain or clouds.
Take this heat seriously today. Limit outdoor activity, check on others, protect pets, and stay in cooler places whenever possible.