CALIFORNIA, Md. — Tuesday’s weather in Southern Maryland is shaping up to be dangerous, with scorching heat and tropical humidity expected to fuel a round of severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds and flash flooding across the region.
According to the National Weather Service, heat index values will climb as high as 107°F in parts of Southern Maryland, including Lexington Park and La Plata, prompting a Heat Advisory from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. for areas along and east of Interstate 95. Temperatures this extreme could lead to heat-related illnesses with prolonged exposure or exertion.
“We’re looking at oppressive conditions this afternoon, followed by a serious threat for storms heading into the evening hours,” said a meteorologist with NWS Baltimore/Washington.
A Flood Watch has been issued from 2 p.m. to midnight for the entire Baltimore-Washington metro area and Southern Maryland, as thunderstorms are expected to drop torrential rain in a short period. Flash flooding is possible in low-lying and poor drainage areas.
The Storm Prediction Center has placed the region under a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe thunderstorms, which may organize into clusters with strong wind gusts exceeding 60 mph.
As of Tuesday morning, the highest heat indices in the state are forecast for:
- Lexington Park: 107°F
- La Plata: 105°F
- Washington, D.C.: 106°F
- Baltimore: 106°F
The heat, combined with an unstable atmosphere, will allow storms to rapidly intensify late this afternoon. Forecasters caution that even isolated cells may become severe and capable of producing tree damage and power outages.
Residents are urged to:
- Stay hydrated and limit outdoor activity during peak heat
- Monitor forecasts and alerts throughout the day
- Avoid flooded roadways — “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”
Conditions should begin to improve after midnight, but scattered storms may linger into Wednesday.
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