Alert archive / Maryland / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2017

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 151, NWS Baltimore/Washington

July 17, 2017Montgomery County, Maryland

NWS Baltimore/Washington issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jul 17, 2017, 4:15 PM EDT for Montgomery County, Maryland. It was in force for 32 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jul 17, 2017, 4:15 PM EDT (20:15 UTC)
Expired
Jul 17, 2017, 4:47 PM EDT
In force
32 min
Issued by
NWS Baltimore/Washington
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

County Montgomery County, MD

The radar

The Sterling radar (KLWX), 30 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:17 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Washington/Dulle, VA (KIAD), launched 12:00Z, 8.3 hours before the alert went out and 27 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Washington/Dulle, VA at 12:00Z on 2017-07-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1198 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Washington/Dulle, VA at 12:00Z on 2017-07-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 40 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
1198 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-50 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1021 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
23 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
40 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
28 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Baltimore/Washington wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jul 17, 2:45 PM EDT, 1 hour 30 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 17, 2:45 PM EDT, 1 hour 30 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
245 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2017

.SYNOPSIS...
An upper level trough will affect the weather today and
Tuesday. After a period of hot but mostly dry weather during
the middle of the week, another cold front may approach the
region by the end of the week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Upper trough continues to progress into the region while frontal
boundary stalls and washes out across the Ohio Valley and up
into western PA/NY. Relatively steep mid level lapse rates still
exist with 700-500 mb lapse rates around 7 C/km per latest SPC
mesoanalysis. This combined with surface temperatures near 90F
and dew points near 70F has led to the development of 2000+ J/KG
of MLCAPE and the earlier indication of capping inversion has
weakened. While shear remains quite low (less than 20 knots
0-6km), this amount of instability is certainly enough to
provide for an isolated pulse severe threat with both hail and
downburst potential, especially northwest of I-95. In addition,
with little steering flow, thunderstorms will be slow moving,
so heavy rain will need to monitored as well.

Convective activity should wane with the loss of daytime
heating this evening, leading to a mostly dry night overnight.
With areas of rain today, light boundary layer winds, and high
dew points, there is the potential for patchy fog as well. Lows
tonight from the mid 60s to mid 70s.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
Upper trough will remain overhead on Tuesday, and another round
of scattered afternoon/evening showers/thunderstorms is
anticipated. Could once again be an isolated severe and heavy
rain risk with atmospheric conditions similar, although mid
level lapse rates are a bit weaker. High temperatures in the
upper 80s to around 90F.

The upper trough will continue to slowly weaken and gradually
pull away Tuesday night into Wednesday. So a relatively calm
night expected again Tuesday night after any evening convection
ends, with the potential for patchy fog. By Wednesday, there
could still be an isolated shower/storm but coverage should be
less than today and Tuesday. Temperatures rise a bit into
Wednesday with highs from 90-95F. This combined with dew points
in the upper 60s to around 70F will give heat indices 95-100F
locations east of the Blue Ridge and 90-95F west. Warm and muggy
conditions Wednesday night, with lows 68-78F.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
The main story for the end of the week will be the heat. High
temperatures Thursday and Friday will be in the mid to upper 90s
with dew points in the lower 70s, heat advisories will be possible.
Temperatures over the weekend may be more variable due to storms and
a wavering front, but still above normal with high humidity.

In terms of synoptic patterns, a mid/upper level trough will be just
east of the Mid-Atlantic coast on Thursday. Forecast instability is
meager Thursday afternoon, so the best chance of an isolated shower
or storm will be over the mountains.

The subtropical ridge then will be able to exert influence on the
weather through the remainder of the period, though it will largely
remain centered to our south and west. As such, a cold front will be
able to work down from the north on Friday, but fail to make it
completely through the forecast area. With flow a little north of
west aloft and the front in the vicinity, thunderstorm chances will
increase Friday, but especially Saturday into Sunday, with MCS
activity (or remnants) possible.

Model spread increases later Sunday into Monday with how to handle
next piece of energy moving across Canada, but with potential for
the front to still be in the area, forecast will have a chance of
thunderstorms.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Primarily VFR expected through the period. The main weather
concern today and Tuesday will be scattered showers/thunderstorms
during the afternoons which may bring brief gusty winds and
heavy rain resulting in reductions to ceiling/visibility.
Otherwise, patchy early morning fog is possible both Tuesday and
Wednesday morning, especially where rain falls during the
afternoon and evening.

It looks like any isolated thunderstorms will remain away from the
terminals (in the mountains) on Thursday, though there could be more
scattered coverage across the area on Friday. Otherwise VFR
conditions are likely.

&&

.MARINE...
Generally sub-SCA southerly winds expected across the waters
through Wednesday night. Main weather concern will be for
thunderstorms, which could pose a risk both this afternoon and
Tuesday afternoon.

Light westerly winds on Thursday with high pressure in control. A
cold front will approach from the north on Friday, but will likely
not push completely through the area. While there are no clear
opportunities for SCA conditions, scattered thunderstorms could
affect the waters on Friday.

&&

.TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...
South flow persists across the Chesapeake Bay region through
midweek. Water levels at the preferred high tide (late
afternoon/evening) will approach minor coastal flooding thresholds
at particularly sensitive sites like Straits Point (St. George
Island in St. Mars county), Annapolis and SW DC Waterfront today
through Wednesday.

&&

.LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
DC...None.
MD...None.
VA...None.
WV...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...MM
NEAR TERM...MM
SHORT TERM...MM
LONG TERM...ADS
AVIATION...ADS/MM
MARINE...ADS/MM
TIDES/COASTAL FLOODING...MM/BAJ
Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 17, 3:55 PM EDT, 20 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
355 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2017

ANZ530>543-DCZ001-MDZ011-013-014-016>018-508-VAZ052>057-181000-
Chesapeake Bay north of Pooles Island MD-
Chesapeake Bay from Pooles Island to Sandy Point MD-
Chesapeake Bay from Sandy Point to North Beach MD-
Chesapeake Bay from North Beach to Drum Point MD-
Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point MD to Smith Point VA-
Tidal Potomac from Key Bridge to Indian Head MD-
Tidal Potomac from Indian Head to Cobb Island MD-
Tidal Potomac from Cobb Island MD to Smith Point VA-
Patapsco River including Baltimore Harbor-
Chester River to Queenstown MD-Eastern Bay-
Choptank River to Cambridge MD and the Little Choptank River-
Patuxent River to Broomes Island MD-
Tangier Sound and the inland waters surrounding Bloodsworth
Island-District of Columbia-Southern Baltimore-Prince Georges-
Anne Arundel-Charles-St. Marys-Calvert-Southeast Harford-
Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park-Fairfax-
Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria-Stafford-Spotsylvania-
King George-
355 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Maryland portion of the
Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, and adjacent counties in
central Maryland and northern Virginia as well as the District of
Columbia.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts and large hail are
expected in the Washington DC and Baltimore Metropolitan areas
late this afternoon. Torrential downpours associated with
thunderstorms may lead to localized flash flooding as well.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

Heat indices of 100 to 105 are possible Thursday and Friday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Please relay any reports of damaging winds...large hail or flash
flooding to the National Weather Service

MDZ003>006-501>507-VAZ025>031-036>040-050-051-501>508-WVZ050>053-
055-501>506-181000-
Washington-Frederick MD-Carroll-Northern Baltimore-
Extreme Western Allegany-Central and Eastern Allegany-
Northwest Montgomery-Central and Southeast Montgomery-
Northwest Howard-Central and Southeast Howard-Northwest Harford-
Augusta-Rockingham-Shenandoah-Frederick VA-Page-Warren-Clarke-
Nelson-Albemarle-Greene-Madison-Rappahannock-Orange-Culpeper-
Northern Fauquier-Southern Fauquier-Western Highland-
Eastern Highland-Western Loudoun-Eastern Loudoun-
Northern Virginia Blue Ridge-Central Virginia Blue Ridge-
Hampshire-Morgan-Berkeley-Jefferson-Hardy-Western Grant-
Eastern Grant-Western Mineral-Eastern Mineral-Western Pendleton-
Eastern Pendleton-
355 PM EDT Mon Jul 17 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern West Virginia,
northern and central Virginia, and central and western Maryland
with the exception of Garrett County.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts and large hail are
expected this afternoon across northern and central
Maryland...northern Virginia and eastern West Virginia
Torrential downpours associated with thunderstorms may lead to
localized flash flooding as well.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Please relay any reports of damaging winds...large hail or flash
flooding to the National Weather Service

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 17, 3:33 PM EDT, 42 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
333 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0330 PM     HAIL             LAYTONSVILLE            39.21N  77.14W
07/17/2017  E1.00 INCH       MONTGOMERY         MD   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

EVENT NUMBER LWX1702377

IMR
Local storm report, Jul 17, 3:35 PM EDT, 40 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
335 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0334 PM     HAIL             1 NW DETOUR             39.61N  77.29W
07/17/2017  E0.75 INCH       CARROLL            MD   TRAINED SPOTTER

&&

EVENT NUMBER LWX1702378

LFR
Local storm report, Jul 17, 3:48 PM EDT, 27 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
348 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0334 PM     HAIL             LAYTONSVILLE            39.21N  77.14W
07/17/2017  M1.00 INCH       MONTGOMERY         MD   EMERGENCY MNGR

&&

EVENT NUMBER LWX1702379

LFR
Local storm report, Jul 17, 3:51 PM EDT, 24 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
351 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0338 PM     HAIL             DAMASCUS                39.28N  77.20W
07/17/2017  M0.88 INCH       MONTGOMERY         MD   EMERGENCY MNGR

&&

EVENT NUMBER LWX1702380

LFR
Local storm report, Jul 17, 3:52 PM EDT, 23 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
352 PM EDT MON JUL 17 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0418 PM     TSTM WND DMG     1 W MERRIFIELD          38.87N  77.26W
07/14/2017                   FAIRFAX            VA   EMERGENCY MNGR

            TREE DOWN AT PAN AM SHOPPING CENTER.

&&

EVENT NUMBER LWX1702381

SMZ
Local storm report, Jul 17, 4:11 PM EDT, 4 minutes before
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The office that day

Everything else NWS Baltimore/Washington issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 17, 2:11 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX94 min
Jul 17, 3:16 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXFrederick27 min
Jul 17, 4:08 PM EDTSpecial Marine WarningLWX2 hr
Jul 17, 2:21 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXBaltimore, Carroll39 min
Jul 17, 2:59 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXCarroll, Frederick46 min
Jul 17, 3:06 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXHoward, Montgomery39 min
Jul 17, 3:13 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXBaltimore, Carroll47 min
Jul 17, 3:40 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXHoward, Montgomery50 min
Jul 17, 3:51 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningLWXBaltimore, Carroll3 hr
Jul 17, 4:10 PM EDTFlash Flood WarningLWXMontgomery3 hr
Jul 17, 6:30 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningLWXAllegany17 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Maryland, 2017Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2017

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.