Storm blackens Baltimore skies
The severe thunderstorms have arrived as forecast in Baltimore. The sky blackened around 5:15 p.m. and torrential rains began, stalling traffic on the lower end of the JFX. But oddly, little thunder yet (5:20 p.m.) I did not notice any hail downtown.
The temperature has plummeted from 89 degrees at 4 p.m. this afternoon to 71 degrees at 5:20. You can track the weather changes on The Sun's weather station.
Hail nearly an inch in diameter was reported from the Butler section of Baltimore County this afternoon. Send us you comments and reports on what you're seeing. Send photos to me by email if you can.
(iPhone photo by Tracey Halvorsen, Butcher's Hill/ Used with permission.)
Here's another iPhone shot from Butcher's Hill in Baltimore by Tracey Halvorsen. It was taken at around 5:30 p.m. from the Fastspot office. (Used with permission.)
Comments
Talk about terrible timing - I was walking across the exposed JHU lacrosse field when this hit - I was totally drenched. I kept worrying about lightning striking my umbrella (can it do that?)
Well, out of these wet clothes and into a dry martini.
FR: Sounds like a fine plan. And yes, lightning could have hit you and your umbrella, but it's less likely when you're surrounded by taller trees and buildings. Best not to tempt fate.
Posted by: Amy | June 9, 2009 6:00 PM
The really bad part of the front had just passed Pasadena when I turned my computer back on and took a look at the weather blog (first things first, natch). As I finished reading the latest item, a final booming round of lightning and thunder struck to the east. It came from somewhere out over the bay, but it still shook the house. Wow -- what timing!
Posted by: Dave | June 9, 2009 6:23 PM
My wife has been on a plane on the BWI runway since about 3pm, they are just now pulling the passengers off the plane. Not sure what's in store for her but sure am glad they did not fly.
Posted by: Brian | June 9, 2009 7:22 PM
My daughter and I went outside and watched the roiling clouds as the storm approached. It truly looked like something from a movie, and you could see the churning motion quite clearly. I was about to grab my camera when the rain started, so we headed indoors. We had maybe 30 seconds of pea sized hail here on the western edge of Ellicott City. About .15 inches of rain, and 20 min or so of thunder.
Posted by: Corine Schramke | June 9, 2009 8:02 PM
How many inches accumulated in your rain gauge?
The storm followed me up the interstate from Columbia to Perry Hall. Seldom have I been surrounded by so much precipitation.
FR: 0.33 inch in the gauge on the WeatherDeck.
Posted by: Tom in Perry Hall | June 9, 2009 8:12 PM
From my weather deck in Cockeysville we had at least 10 minutes worth of pea to marble sized hail and enough gusty winds to knock out our power for a little while. There was probably an inch plus of water accumulated in our patio moat. We had thunder at least until 6:30. The clouds around Warren ES were the most interesting I had ever seen. By 8:30 the sky had turned a beautiful pinkish color.
Posted by: Lynn | June 9, 2009 10:15 PM
It was 63 degrees in Lutherville this AM - nice. Based on yesterday's weather - Is the difference between a funnel & tornado when there is a touchdown?
Posted by: pp | June 10, 2009 6:53 AM
Just as the storm was hitting, with the aforementioned roiling skies and lightning, I saw a plane leaving BWI Airport just under the clouds. I can only imagine how terrified those passengers must have been.
Posted by: Ruth Vadi | June 10, 2009 7:17 AM