National Weather ServiceMarylandTornado WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Watches in Maryland
The National Weather Service issued 4 tornado watches for Maryland in 2025 and 6 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 27th most of any state. 2026 through September: 6, 19% above the average of 5 for those months in 2008-2025. St. Marys was covered most often (63 times since 2008).
How many tornado watches does Maryland get?
Every tornado watch that covered part of Maryland. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 6 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2011 | 16 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2008 | 12 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Maryland get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Maryland?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Marys | 63 | 10 | August 20, 2026 |
| Calvert | 62 | 11 | August 20, 2026 |
| Charles | 61 | 9 | August 20, 2026 |
| Anne Arundel | 55 | 10 | August 20, 2026 |
| Baltimore | 55 | 10 | August 20, 2026 |
| Baltimore City | 55 | 10 | August 20, 2026 |
| Harford | 55 | 10 | August 20, 2026 |
| Howard | 54 | 11 | August 20, 2026 |
| Prince Georges | 54 | 10 | August 20, 2026 |
| Montgomery | 52 | 11 | August 20, 2026 |
| Carroll | 51 | 10 | August 20, 2026 |
| Dorchester | 48 | 9 | August 20, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a tornado watch?
Tornado watches come from the NWS Storm Prediction Center when thunderstorms able to produce tornadoes are possible over a large area, usually for several hours; local offices list the counties it covers. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Maryland.