Maryland's weather patterns over the years have one predictable pattern-they change quickly and unexpectedly. Maryland weather is influenced by the coastal location on the Eastern seaboard and the hurricanes and ocean currents that travel up from the equator. Great Lakes weather can be an influence since many storm systems also travel from the west to the east. Maryland's weather can see extremes within a year's time and it has throughout history.

When it comes to hurricanes, Maryland has been known to feel the effects of 3 hurricanes a year, like back in 1954, and when Hurricane Donna came in 1960, it was the most devastating storm of the century, demolishing Ocean City and cutting two inlets through Assateague from the massive surges and flooding. Maryland experienced a "Super Storm" in 1993 that had barometric pressures that were the lowest recorded and produced thunder snow. In 1999, Hurricane Floyd dropped excessive rain on Maryland and in 2003, Hurricane Isabel caused bad flooding.

Maryland's highest temperature on record is 109 degrees Fahrenheit, set in 1936 on the Eastern shores, and it has hit 101 degrees a number of years, including 1999 and 2007. Maryland's lowest temperatures ever recorded were minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit in Oakland, back in 1912. Maryland weather can include ice and snow storms and can also include droughts and flooding, including extremes like 2002 was the driest year on record while 2003 was the wettest.

Recent storms and hurricanes in the last decade alone has seen Maryland hit by the strongest tornado ever recorded in Maryland in 2002, when an F4 carried debris across the Bay and dropped it in Talbot. In 2003, Maryland saw Hurricanes Henri and Isabel, and the following year, Hurricanes Ivan and Francis hit Maryland's shores and caused widespread flooding.

Other weather extremes include the worst winter in the state's history in 2003 with 49 inches of snow in a single storm and over 81 inches in one month. That was immediately following the worst drought the state ever saw in 2002. The Bay can practically freeze over in the winter and then experience drought conditions and extreme heat the following summer. A severe freeze hits the Chesapeake Bay area about once a century, occurring in 1780, 1899 and 1977. In January of 1918, the Bay froze, but in August of that year, it was 105 degrees Fahrenheit, which was the record. 1935 was a very cold winter, but the summer of 1936 had record breaking heat.

The high humidity in the summer, especially around the Chesapeake Bay area, gives Maryland a humid subtropical climate in the summer and winter humidity levels vary by elevation. Maryland weather is still considered fairly mild year round, even though temperatures can vary dramatically, due to elevation and coastal areas. The summer Maryland weather has an average temperature of 72.7 degrees Fahrenheit, with greater humidity in the eastern and southern areas. In the winter, the temperatures average 34.1 degrees and the eastern and southern areas don't receive the heavier snow and colder temperatures experienced in the western counties. If you don't like the weather today, just wait a few days and it will change!