July 18 Flood Watch In The Mountains Then Storms Expand Back This Weekend
Friday, July 18 2025
Morning Report
There is some relief in sight, but I remain cautious. For the short term, today remains muggy, while the focus of strong storms and flooding will be in the Virginia mountains. Some showers could creep in during the evening into metro areas.
This weekend, the storm risk will expand back in, with a crank up of heat.
Next week, there is a signal for a break in the heat and humidity on Monday and Tuesday. Then, the Heat Dome in the Central US may develop a track for thunderstorms to possibly trend back our way.
Pic Of The Day Thursday
While a small severe storm crossed central Maryland, this ‘clear sky’ lightning bolt struck north into Ellicott City.
This is the most dangerous aspect of thunderstorms… lightning can strike 10 to 20 miles away, even without rain.
Live Radar and Lightning Widget
Surface Weather
The old frontal boundary has shifted a little farther south. We remain muggy, but the focus of thunderstorms today will be from the mountains into Southeast VA.
That potential tropical system never did form. It has tracked inland and is pushing heavy rain into Eastern Texas.
To our North, a break in the heat and humidity across the Great Lakes. There is hope we get in on some of that early next week.
NOAA Flash Flood Guidance
Flood Watch
Forecast Today
Radar Simulation: 8 AM Through Midnight
Suggestion NOT a Promise
Snapshot 4 PM
Afternoon Temperatures
Snapshot 7 PM
CLIMATE DATA: Baltimore
Yesterday: Low 73F; High 89F
Rainfall = 0.00”
TODAY July 17
Sunrise at 5:55 AM
Sunset at 8:30 PM
Normal Low in Baltimore: 68ºF
Record 57ºF in 2014
Normal High in Baltimore: 89ºF
Record 104ºF 2012
Rainfall Deficit at BWI
- Ending 2024 = -8.00”
- Since Jan 1 = +0.23”
- We are STILL DOWN -7.77” INCLUDING LAST YEAR
Drought Monitor
FINALLY: No Drought! There is still a long-term deficit plotted for Baltimore and Harford Counties.
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SATURDAY
Morning Temperatures
Afternoon Temperatures
Radar Simulation 6 AM to 8 PM
More showers and thunderstorms.
SUGGESTION, NOT A PROMISE
Looking Ahead
Early next week, we get a break from the heat and humidity. However, a Heat Dome setting up in the Central US, will put us up on the edge of the ring of fire and in the path of more strong to severe storms for the second half of next week.
7 Day Forecast
Storms increase this weekend and relax briefly for two days early next week.
Then back to the recent summer pattern for the second part of next week.
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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