Storm Chances Daily Through Hot, Humid Weekend: MD Weather

MARYLAND — Summer heat and humidity will continue through the weekend across Maryland, with predicted high temperatures in the low 90s Wednesday through Saturday, along with daily rain and storm chances.

A string of hot and humid days are in store for the northeast and mid-Atlantic states, AccuWeather meteorologists say. In Washington, D.C., where the historical average high is close to 90 degrees for much of July, temperatures hit 91 on Sunday and 92 on Monday.

A "code orange" air quality alert is in effect Wednesday, July 5, for the DC region as smoke from fireworks increases air pollution in the atmosphere.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has forecast Code Orange air quality for the metropolitan Washington region through Thursday, July 6. On Tuesday, Fourth of July fireworks are expected to contribute to increased levels of fine particle pollution. On Wednesday and Thursday, ground-level ozone is expected to cause the unhealthy air quality.

The Code Orange levels mean the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, older adults, heart/lung disease sufferers and asthmatics are considered sensitive. They should make outdoor activities shorter and less intense and watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.

Residents can check current air quality conditions on COG's website or AirNow.gov.

"Because the 30-year average high temperature has crept upward in recent decades in the nation's capital, the criteria for a heat wave should probably be more like the low to mid-90s for a heat wave, rather than the 90-degree threshold," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said. "But, hot is hot."

Even if temperatures hit 90 or fall short of it, it will feel like up to 110 degrees for several hours during the afternoon hours. Light winds, high humidity and sunshine will make it feel about 5 to 10 degrees higher than the actual temperatures in the region.

Here's the National Weather Service forecast for Maryland through the weekend:

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers between 11am and 2pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Calm wind becoming northeast around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Southeast wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 60%.