Hail and Damaging Winds in Maryland, June 30, 1998

A fast-moving cold front, aided by another strong upper-level disturbance, concluded June's wild weather with one more severe weather episode - once again confined mainly to the northern tier of Maryland. Downburst and gust-front wind damage were the main severe weather types this day.Wind damage began in Washington Co, when a tractor-trailer was blown over along Interstate 81 southwest of Hagerstown. Farther up the highway, at the junction if I-81 and I-70, a large tree was down, blocking some traffic. The same line of storms produced a wind gust to 58 mph at the Washington County Regional Airport near the Mason-Dixon Line. Smithsburg and Leitersburg, in eastern Washington Co, were hardest hit. Several trees and large limbs were damaged, and a shed, tiller, and swing set sustained damage at one residence. Numerous wires were blown down as well.Farther east, in northwest Frederick Co, large limbs were knocked down near Thurmont, including one tree which barely missed striking bears at the Catoctin Mountain Zoo along federal highway 15. Damage at the zoo was estimated to be $1,000. As the line bore down on Frederick city, several residents claim to have seen funnel clouds. However, only several large limbs were felled, and no trees were (reportedly) uprooted. Additional tree, limb, and wire damage occurred as the line headed into southern Carroll, northern Howard, and western Baltimore Cos. Heaviest damage was noted in northwestern Howard Co, where several roads were blocked by fallen trees and tree debris. A tree fell onto a house in Sykesville. Power outages included at least 34,000 customers in the BGE service area, and perhaps hundreds of others in the Allegheny Power service area in western Maryland.