Schools across Maryland dismiss early as severe storms target the region

School districts across Maryland are sending students home early today as a dangerous line of thunderstorms takes aim at the state, threatening damaging winds and possible tornadoes.

The severe weather threat has prompted early dismissals at schools from the Eastern Shore to Central Maryland, with districts scrambling to get students home safely before the worst of the storms arrive this afternoon.

Widespread Early Dismissals

Kent County Public Schools on the Eastern Shore is among the first to close, with Kent County Middle School and Kent County High School dismissing at noon and elementary schools releasing students at 1 p.m. All after-school sports, programs and events have been canceled.

In Central Maryland, several major school systems are releasing students hours ahead of schedule. Baltimore County Public Schools will close three hours early, with afternoon pre-kindergarten and all after-school and evening activities canceled. Harford County and Howard County schools are also dismissing three hours early.

Baltimore City Public Schools will release students two hours early, with Central Office staff permitted to complete their final two hours remotely.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools will close two hours early, with all field trips canceled and no after-school or evening activities, including Evening High School.

Southern Maryland districts are following suit. St. Mary’s County Public Schools will dismiss two hours early with all after-school activities canceled. Charles County and Calvert County schools are also releasing students two hours early.

Dangerous Weather on the Way

The early dismissals come as forecasters warn of a squall line of severe thunderstorms expected to move through the region this afternoon and evening. The storms are forecast to bring heavy rain, damaging winds with gusts of 70 to 80 mph, large hail and isolated tornadoes.

The severe weather threat is expected to build late this morning and continue into the evening. Howard County officials have identified a key window of concern from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Temperatures are expected to reach near 68 degrees today with south winds of 15 to 30 mph and gusts of 30 to 40 mph even before the main line of storms arrives. Tonight, temperatures will plunge to around 30 degrees as the system moves through.

A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect for Anne Arundel County from noon to 10 p.m. today.

Recreation Programs Also Canceled

The severe weather threat has also forced the cancellation of recreation programs and the closure of some facilities.

The City of Gaithersburg has closed the Gaithersburg Aquatic Center and Gaithersburg Youth Centers for the day. The Benjamin Gaither Center will close at 2 p.m., and the Gaithersburg Student Union and all afternoon and evening programs in Montgomery County Public Schools facilities have been canceled.

The Town of Bel Air has canceled all recreation activities and events for safety reasons.

The Harford County Health Department has closed its Maryland Children’s Health Program locations in Edgewood and Havre de Grace for the day.

Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works reports normal curbside collection will continue and facilities will remain open regular hours despite the weather.

Parents are urged to make arrangements to pick up students at the early dismissal times and to monitor local weather conditions throughout the afternoon and evening.