Discover the Hottest Temperature Ever Recorded in Maryland (And When It Could Happen Again)

Maryland is one of the Mid-Atlantic states, so it is not necessarily known for getting incredibly hot. However, the state does experience warm summers. The thermometer can shoot up over 100 degrees Fahrenheit from time to time. Discover the hottest temperature ever recorded in Maryland. Find out when the temperature occurred most recently and see when it could potentially happen again!

The Average Climate in Maryland

Before we consider the hottest temperature ever recorded in Maryland, it is necessary to understand the average climate in Maryland. The vast majority of Maryland is a humid subtropical Köppen-Geiger climate type.

That means most of the state sees cool-to-cold winters and warm-to-hot summers. Both summers and winters in this region see a fair amount of precipitation on average, but the westernmost regions receive more snow in the winter. Nor’easters also bring the potential for significant snowstorms in the winter.

The summer months in Maryland are warm on average, but the heat is rarely overwhelming. The average high temperatures in Baltimore for the summer are:

These temperatures are not warm compared to states in the American South. As a result, the hottest temperature ever recorded in the region would not be that extreme compared to some of the other records in the region.

What Was the Hottest Temperature Ever Recorded in Maryland?

The hottest temperature ever recorded in Maryland was 109 °F, and the record was set on July 10, 1936. This record was most recently set in the city of Cumberland in Allegany County. However, it was not the first time this temperature had occurred in the state. The same temperature was previously recorded in Frederick, another city in Maryland.

The record did not simply stem from a random hot day. Instead, the temperatures occurred as part of the July 1936 Heat Wave. This was an incredibly hot summer during the era known as the “Dust Bowl,” a time of high heat and ongoing drought throughout much of the United States.

Even though Maryland is not in the regions hit hardest by the heat and drought, the state still suffered as a result of the unusually high temperatures during this era.

In total, 13 states set their all-time heat record in the summer of 1936. Three other states set their all-time high record on the same day as Maryland, including:

• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• West Virginia

The smothering heat and dryness brought on by the heatwave that month created challenges for people who had to survive in those temperatures without modern-day conveniences to stay cool.  

Where Is Cumberland on a Map?

Cumberland, Maryland is a city located in Allegany County, Maryland. The city and the county are located in the Maryland Panhandle, an area far in the far-western reaches of the state. This portion of the state is well-removed from cities like Baltimore.

Cumberland sits on the border between Maryland and West Virginia, and the North Branch of the Potomac River flows through the southern part of the city.  

What Animals Live Near Cumberland?

Cumberland is a city in Western Maryland that has many different animals in the region. Some of the terrestrial creatures in the area include:

• Painted turtle
• Eastern gray squirrel
• Canada goose
• Eastern newt
• Muskrat
• White-tailed deer
• Domestic dog
• Coyote
• Domestic cat
• Striped skunk
• Eastern worm snake

The animals that live on land would have used a variety of methods to stay cool to avoid the hottest temperature ever recorded in Maryland. These animals would have stayed under cover, been less active during the hottest parts of the day, and used bodies of water to stay cool.

Cumberland was built along the northern banks of a portion of the Potomac River. Some of the animals that live in this body of water are:

• Channel catfish
• Largemouth bass
• Smallmouth bass
• Rainbow trout
• Brook trout

Usually, fish will move to deeper water when the temperature gets too high. They’ll also look for cover near structures and vegetation. Although the species of animals mentioned above are not known for thriving in extreme heat, they can use their instincts to survive hot days.

When Could a New Record Be Set?

Before we consider when a new record could be set, we must consider the circumstances of the initial record. In this case, the elevation of Cumberland, Maryland is about 627 feet. The city has the North Branch of the Potomac River flowing nearby, and the area has a lot of vegetation surrounding it.

An area’s environment, geology, elevation, and presence of water in a given area impact its ability to trap heat and get very hot. For example, Death Valley, California has an elevation of 282 feet below sea level, mountains that block moisture from the Pacific Ocean entering the region, and it has an arid climate. As a result, this region has gotten as hot as 134 °F in the past.

Cumberland does not have the same environmental elements as places that get very hot. So, the best explanation for the hottest temperature ever recorded in Maryland is that an unusually hot weather system moved into the area. The Heat Wave of July 1936 was not just incredibly hot, it also came during a period of unusual drought. The hot, dry air heated up faster and higher than usual.

So, for Maryland to get that hot again in this area, the same conditions would probably have to be met. A powerful heat wave during a period of drought could see this area break its former record.

Overall, the hottest temperature ever recorded in Maryland was not too severe compared to other states in the country. Still, 109 °F is the state’s record, and it would have been very uncomfortable for people and animals alike. This record has stood for the better part of a century, so it would require some extreme circumstances for a higher temperature to emerge.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © rarrarorro/Shutterstock.com