A large swath of thunderstorms surrounding a massive heat dome could bring a "ring of fire" to Maryland and the rest of the mid-Atlantic region Wednesday evening, breaking up the record-breaking heat that has descended upon the state.
The pattern is referred to in the weather community as a "ring of fire" because thunderstorms form along the edges of the heat dome, AccuWeather explained.
The massive heat dome has engulfed much of the country, from Texas to New England. Because the heat dome is warm through most layers of the atmosphere, clouds and storms have difficulty forming.
"However, on the edges of the heat, especially along the northern and western flanks thereof, the air is cooler well above the ground, which makes it easier for clouds to tower and produce thunderstorms," AccuWeather said. "Within this ring, there can be spotty, individual thunderstorms, large clusters of thunderstorms or a solid line of storms that can repeat or meander back and forth as hot and cool air change hands."
In Maryland, temperatures could top 100 degrees and break records Tuesday. With real-feel temperatures of up to 111 degrees, another extreme heat warning covers most of the state.
Tuesday's expected high at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is 101 degrees. The highest temperature ever recorded on June 24 at BWI Airport was 100 degrees in 2010.
"A strong dome of high pressure in the upper atmosphere will maintain hot & humid conditions across the area," the National Weather Service said on its website. "Additional daily temperature records are possible today for both highs and warm overnight lows."
All of Maryland, except Allegany and Garrett counties, is under an extreme heat warning until 9 p.m. Tuesday. An extreme heat watch will be in effect Wednesday morning through evening. Highs will remain in the 90s through Thursday. There's a chance of thunderstorms daily from Wednesday through Monday.
After seeing 4 daily temperature records either tied or broken on Mon, additional records are possible today at the 8 local climate sites. Temperatures again near 100 degrees (heat indices to around 110), which comes with very warm overnight conditions. #DCwx #VAwx #WVwx #MDwx pic.twitter.com/7UNWYrs4dO— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) June 24, 2025
Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Heat index values as high as 110. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 79. Calm wind.
Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 107. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 5am, then a slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 2pm and 5pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday: A chance of showers before 8am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Saturday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Sunday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 30%.