Maryland weather: Thunderstorms expected Tuesday night; Baltimore schools without air conditioning to close early through Friday

Cassidy Jensen, Baltimore Sun
·2 min read
Maryland weather: Thunderstorms expected Tuesday night; Baltimore schools without air conditioning to close early through Friday

Nearly two dozen schools without air conditioning or with HVAC systems under repair will dismiss students early Wednesday through Friday, Baltimore City Schools announced Tuesday.

A total of 23 Baltimore City schools will close early because of high temperatures predicted for the rest of this week, the district said.

Tuesday’s high was 94. The humid heat is expected to turn into rain and a possible thunderstorm after 5 p.m. There is a 70% chance of rain that could drop between a 10th and half of an inch in a thunderstorm, according to the NWS. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue overnight between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.

The NWS warned Tuesday afternoon that severe thunderstorms could bring damaging gusts of wind Tuesday night.

The rest of the week will be milder, with highs ranging from 84 to 90, and dry.

The list of Baltimore City schools with early dismissals this week is below:

Schools with bell start times 7:30-7:45 a.m. will be released at 11:30 a.m.

  • Baltimore City College

  • Curtis Bay Elementary/Middle School

  • Furley Elementary School

  • New Era Academy

  • Empowerment Academy

  • Eutaw-Marshburn Elementary School

  • Franklin Square Elementary/Middle School

  • Montebello Elementary/Middle School @ PDC

  • Pimlico Elementary/Middle School

  • Vanguard Collegiate Middle School

Schools with bell start times 8:00-8:45 a.m. will be released at 12:30 p.m.

  • Benjamin Franklin High School at Masonville Cove

  • Harlem Park Elementary/Middle School

  • City Springs Elementary/Middle School

  • National Academy Foundation

  • Baltimore Montessori/Middle School

  • Midtown Academy

  • Southwest Baltimore Charter School

  • Reginald F. Lewis High School

  • The Mount Washington School (lower building)

Schools with bell start times 9:00-9:15 a.m. will be released at 12:45 p.m.

  • Westport

  • Youth Opportunity

  • Cross Country Elementary/Middle School

The district announced Sunday that 19 schools that lack air conditioning or have systems under repair would end class early on Monday and Tuesday.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa issued a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert for Tuesday, citing forecasts of a high heat index.

Heat index values capture how hot the weather feels to a person outside, measuring humidity as well as temperature. Tuesday’s high temperature is 93, with a heat index that could hit 101, according to the National Weather Service.

“Excessive heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States. The effects of extreme heat are exacerbated in urban areas, especially when combined with high humidity and poor air quality,” Dzirasa said in a news release Monday. “Extreme heat is particularly dangerous for young children, older adults, and those with chronic medical conditions. All residents are encouraged to take the necessary steps to protect themselves as well as their families, neighbors, and pets.”