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Maryland Hit by Tornado, Then Snow: Weather Whiplash!
13 Mar
Summary
- An EF-1 tornado struck Howard County with 90 mph winds.
- Severe storms caused straight-line wind damage in Frederick and Carroll Counties.
- Maryland experienced a record warm day followed by snow and dropping temperatures.
An EF-1 tornado made a brief but impactful touchdown in Cooksville, Howard County, Maryland, on Wednesday, March 11th. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado, which featured estimated maximum winds of 90 mph and measured approximately 100 yards wide with a path of .4 miles. This event occurred as parts of Maryland experienced severe storms and gusty winds following a period of record-high temperatures.
Simultaneously, Frederick and Carroll Counties faced straight-line wind damage ranging from 60 to 75 mph, with some areas like Woodsboro recording gusts up to 90 mph. The storms began impacting Baltimore on Wednesday evening, shortly after the city recorded a new high temperature of 80 degrees. Following this turbulent weather, state-wide temperatures dropped significantly into the mid to low 30s.
The dramatic weather shift continued into Thursday, when Maryland residents experienced a light accumulation of snow. This rapid change, described as "weather whiplash," left many surprised. Crews were actively involved in clearing downed trees and restoring power, highlighting the impact of the severe weather on infrastructure and daily life across the state.
