July 17 Heat Advisory Today Then Focus Back On More Storms This Weekend

Thursday, July 17 2025

Morning Report

The explosion of storms late yesterday and overnight led to some damage reports and flooding in Harford County, Maryland. The tornado signature on radar in Carroll County was scary, and I am still waiting for damage reports there, but as of this morning, not much has shown up.

The rainfall at Baltimore’s BWI was 0.78”, making this the first time all year we have had a surplus of rainfall! The new drought monitor will be posted today, and we will see if the local long-term drought has been identified with any relaxation.

Today, the focus will be on cranking up the temps and heat index. A Heat Advisory is in place.

The tropical risk in the Gulf seems to have formed farther north, too close to land. The risk for development is fading, but there may be additional heavy rain moving into the Southeast US.

Locally, the return of more widespread thunderstorms will be this weekend.

Storm Reports From Wednesday

(So far)

In Case You Missed It

Lighting striking a shed/garage in Manchester, Maryland. This led to a fire.

ALERTS TODAY

HEAT ADVISORY

Heat Index will be close to 105°F.

NOAA SEVERE STORM OUTLOOK

This is a ‘Marginal’ risk. That means that some, but not all, storms have a chance to reach severe levels with damaging wind, large hail, and a tornado.

Live Radar and Lightning Widget

Surface Weather

The wave of energy is moving off the coast, but the heat is remaining.

Uncomfortable dew points with temps in the mid-90s will make it feel like 105F.

Tropical Satellite

Forecast Today

Afternoon Temperatures

Heat Index

Radar Simulation: 4 PM Through Midnight

Suggestion NOT a Promise

CLIMATE DATA: Baltimore

Yesterday: Low 73F; High 89F

Rainfall = 0.78”

TODAY July 17

Sunrise at 5:55 AM

Sunset at 8:31 PM

Normal Low in Baltimore:  68ºF

Record 58ºF in 1987

Normal High in Baltimore: 89ºF

Record 101ºF 1988

Rainfall Deficit at BWI

• Ending 2024 =  -8.00”
• Since Jan 1 =  -0.38”
• We are STILL DOWN -7.62” INCLUDING LAST YEAR

Subscribe for eMail Alerts

FRIDAY

Morning Temperatures

Afternoon Temperatures

Radar Simulation Noon to Midnight

SUGGESTION, NOT A PROMISE

Storm Forecast This Weekend

An increase in daily thunderstorms, then a break early next week.

Looking Ahead

The long-term pattern shows a Heat Dome setting up in the central US, which would place us on the edge of the ring of fire and in the path of more strong to severe storms in the middle of next week.

7 Day Forecast

Storms increase this weekend and relax briefly for two days early next week.

Subscribe for eMail Alerts

Weather posts straight to your inbox

Sign up and be the first to know!

• Email Address*

Please share your thoughts and best weather pics/videos, or just keep in touch via social media.

• Facebook: Justin Berk, Meteorologist

• Twitter

• Instagram

THANK YOU:

Baltimore Sun Magazine Readers Choice Best Of Baltimore

Maryland Trek 11 Day 7 Completed Sat August 10

We raised OVER $111,000 for Just In Power Kids – AND Still Collecting More

The annual event: Hiking and biking 329 miles in 7 days between The Summit of Wisp to Ocean City.

Each day, we honor a kid and their family’s cancer journey.

Fundraising is for Just In Power Kids: Funding Free Holistic Programs. I never have and never will take a penny. It is all for our nonprofit to operate.

Click here or the image to donate:

RESTATING MY MESSAGE ABOUT DYSLEXIA

I am aware there are some spelling and grammar typos and occasional other glitches. I take responsibility for my mistakes and even the computer glitches I may miss. I have made a few public statements over the years, but if you are new here, you may have missed it: I have dyslexia and found out during my second year at Cornell University. It didn’t stop me from getting my meteorology degree and being the first to get the AMS CBM in the Baltimore/Washington region. One of my professors told me that I had made it that far without knowing and to not let it be a crutch going forward. That was Mark Wysocki, and he was absolutely correct! I do miss my mistakes in my own proofreading. The autocorrect spell check on my computer sometimes does an injustice to make it worse. I also can make mistakes in forecasting. No one is perfect at predicting the future. All of the maps and information are accurate. The ‘wordy’ stuff can get sticky.  There has been no editor who can check my work while writing and to have it ready to send out in a newsworthy timeline. Barbara Werner is a member of the web team that helps me maintain this site. She has taken it upon herself to edit typos when she is available. That could be AFTER you read this. I accept this and perhaps proves what you read is really from me… It’s part of my charm. #FITF