Hail and Damaging Winds in Maryland, June 15, 1998

The juxtaposition of a northward-moving warm front, strong surface low pressure over the midwest, and a fast-moving upper-level jet combined to produce an outbreak of severe weather across central and lower southern Maryland during the evening. Damage was highlighted by downed trees and some large hail. The most substantial damage occurred with three cells - one a decaying bow-echo across southern Prince George's and northern Charles Cos; the others rotating mini-supercells which tracked across portions of Charles, St Mary's, and southern Calvert Cos.Lightning associated with the first cell struck a police cruiser in Temple Hills, with the driver sustaining injuries that required a brief hospital stay. The same cell knocked several trees and large limbs down in Oxon Hill and near Waldorf (Charles Co). Though gradually weakening, this cell continued to produce hail - ranging from 0.75" in southern Anne Arundel Co to golf ball size near St. Leonard in central Calvert Co. A second, more potent rotating thunderstorm moved into Charles Co from the Potomac River, causing numerous trees and large limbs to fall between Doncaster and McConchie.Another cell tracked across central and eastern Charles Co, knocking down large limbs and wires, as well as producing 1 inch hail, west of La Plata. This cell produced substantial trees damage in the extreme eastern portion of the county between Benedict and Teagues Point. The storm continued into southern Calvert Co, knocking down more trees and dropping 0.75" diameter hail in and around Lusby. Meanwhile, the other cell continued into St Mary's Co, producing additional wind and hail. In Clements, two barns were destroyed and at least a dozen trees were snapped or uprooted.Though utility statistics were sketchy, one could assume that thousands of customers lost power during the peak of the episode. Potomac Electric Power Co reported 1,700 customers were without power; many more likely lost electricity across the Southern Maryland Electric Co coverage area, which includes St Mary's, Calvert, Charles, and portions of Prince George's Co. The entire episode ended shortly after 1900EST.