Special Weather Statement
Status
Issued Active alertStart Time
Thu 04/16/2026 03:33 AM EDTEnd Time
Thu 04/16/2026 08:00 PM EDTImpacts
Informational
Locations Affected
Baltimore, MD ∙ Washington, DC ∙ Alexandria, VA ∙ Gaithersburg, MD ∙ Rockville, MD ∙ Bowie, MD ∙ Harrisonburg, VA ∙ University of Virginia, VA ∙ Baltimore Highlands, MD ∙ Accokeek, MDFull Alert Message
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC 333 AM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026 ...NEAR CRITICAL TO CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR CENTRAL...SOUTHERN AND WESTERN MARYLAND...EASTERN VIRGINIA...NORTHERN AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA THROUGH 8 PM THIS EVENING... The combination of 10 hour fuel moistures around 9 percent, relative humidities around 25 percent, and wind gusts of 20 to 25 mph will lead to an increased risk for the rapid spread of wildfires this afternoon. Residents and visitors are urged to properly dispose of cigarette butts, matches, and any other flammable items in appropriate containers. Additionally, exercise caution if operating any equipment that could create sparks and keep vehicles off of dry grass. Most dry grasses, dead leaves, and other tree litter could easily ignite and spread fire quickly. Lastly, remember to obey local burn bans. For more information about wildfire danger, burn restrictions, and wildfire prevention and education, please visit your state forestry or environmental protection website. For West Virginia, visit www.wvforestry.com For Maryland, visit dnr.maryland.gov For Virginia, visit dof.virginia.gov
Technical Header
ANZ538-DCZ001-MDZ003-011-013-014-016>018-502>506-VAZ025>031- 036>040-050-051-053>057-501-502-504>508-526-527-WVZ050>053-055- 502-504-506-170000- Patapsco River including Baltimore Harbor-District of Columbia- Washington-Southern Baltimore-Prince Georges-Anne Arundel-Charles- St. Marys-Calvert-Central and Eastern Allegany- Northwest Montgomery-Central and Southeast Montgomery- Northwest Howard-Central and Southeast Howard-Augusta-Rockingham- Shenandoah-Frederick VA-Page-Warren-Clarke-Nelson-Albemarle- Greene-Madison-Rappahannock-Orange-Culpeper-Fairfax- Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria-Stafford-Spotsylvania- King George-Northern Fauquier-Southern Fauquier-Eastern Highland- Western Loudoun-Eastern Loudoun-Northern Virginia Blue Ridge- Central Virginia Blue Ridge-Northwest Prince William- Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park- Hampshire-Morgan-Berkeley-Jefferson-Hardy-Eastern Grant- Eastern Mineral-Eastern Pendleton- Including the cities of Washington, Hagerstown, Baltimore, Bowie, Suitland-Silver Hill, Clinton, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Camp Springs, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, South Gate, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, St. Charles, Waldorf, Lexington Park, California, Chesapeake Beach, Huntingtown, Dunkirk, North Beach, Lusby, Prince Frederick, Cumberland, Germantown, Damascus, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Lisbon, Columbia, Ellicott City, Staunton, Waynesboro, Stuarts Draft, Harrisonburg, Strasburg, Woodstock, Mount Jackson, New Market, Winchester, Luray, Shenandoah, Stanley, Front Royal, Berryville, Lovingston, Charlottesville, Stanardsville, Madison, Orange, Gordonsville, Culpeper, Reston, Herndon, Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, McLean, Franconia, Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Falmouth, Fredericksburg, Dahlgren, Warrenton, Turnbull, Monterey, Purcellville, Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Big Meadows, Wintergreen, Haymarket, Dale City, Manassas, Woodbridge, Lake Ridge, Montclair, Romney, Paw Paw, Martinsburg, Charles Town, Shepherdstown, Moorefield, Petersburg, Antioch, Keyser, New Creek, Ridgeville, Russelldale, Headsville, Fort Ashby, Brandywine, Franklin, Oak Flat, Ruddle, and Sugar Grove 333 AM EDT Thu Apr 16 2026
