High Tide

The Crimson Tide knocks out Colt McCoy, then thwarts a rally by scoring two late TDs to win its first national championship since 1992 Coverage on PG 6 and at baltimoresun.com/sports

The Army Corps of Engineers expects to lift navigational restrictions on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal this week after emergency dredging removed shoaling that emerged in November. At 14 miles long and 450 feet wide, the canal is a major artery for the port of Baltimore, carrying more than 40 percent of the port's shipping traffic: roll-on, roll-off cargo, cars, fuel and coal. So when an approach to the canal becomes clogged with muck that threatens to imperil as many as 50 ships that regularly make deliveries to Baltimore — as happened to the access from the Chesapeake Bay — the folks who maintain the canal will make the earth move to restore circulation.

The National Weather Service issued coastal flood warnings for many parts of Maryland until 8 a.m. Wednesday. The affected areas are southern Baltimore County and Harford, Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties. Baltimore and Harford Counties should expect high tide levels 2 feet above normal. The other areas are expected to see levels 1 to 2 feet higher than usual. The tides will likely bring inundation of shoreline areas and large waves at high tide could make flooding worse, according to the weather service.

The National Weather Service is calling for Friday to start out mostly cloudy in the Baltimore area and then gradually become sunny, with a high near 54 and north winds 5 to 8 miles per hour. Friday night is expected to be mostly clear, with a low around 39 and north winds around 6 miles per hour Forecasters warn that minor coastal flooding may occur Friday evening near high tide at sensitive locations along the western shore of the Maryland Chesapeake Bay and the upper tidal Potomac River.

The Army Corps of Engineers expects to lift navigational restrictions on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal this week after emergency dredging removed shoaling that emerged in November. At 14 miles long and 450 feet wide, the canal is a major artery for the port of Baltimore, carrying more than 40 percent of the port's shipping traffic: roll-on, roll-off cargo, cars, fuel and coal. So when an approach to the canal becomes clogged with muck that threatens to imperil as many as 50 ships that regularly make deliveries to Baltimore — as happened to the access from the Chesapeake Bay — the folks who maintain the canal will make the earth move to restore circulation.

Where to look in Maryland Head east. The Chesapeake Bay's eastern beaches are better than those on the west side, but local collectors have found good pieces where the Potomac River empties into the bay. Do research . Check with local historical societies to find towns, ports or docks that were active 50-100+ years ago. Pay attention to prevailing winds. Shorelines that receive those winds will normally produce the best sea glass. Check nautical charts.

Water sloshed out of the Annapolis Harbor before dawn Tuesday, flooding the immediate City Dock area with a foot of water by 6 a.m. But city officials estimated that high tide could crest at 4.8 feet and stay high past 4 p.m. By 4 a.m., crews reported flooding there had begun. City officials were warning people to stay away from the City Dock, as well as other waterfront areas that could be submerged because of the wind-whipped high tide. "City crews are watching the high tide closely," said city spokeswoman Rhonda Wardlaw.

Flooding closed the Jones Falls Expressway near Penn Station during Thursday evening's rush hour and forced evacuations in north Baltimore, as a steady rain punctuated by heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms soaked the region with more than 2.5 inches of precipitation. Gov. Martin O'Malley declared a state of emergency as the rain intensified, and the National Weather Service added a flash flood warning for the evening on top of the earlier coastal and flood warnings for the area.

A series of strong thunderstorms that brought tornado and flash flood warnings moved through the Baltimore region Saturday evening, but no major damage or injuries were reported. The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch and later a warning to Baltimore and Carroll counties, which that expired Saturday night. Several counties, including Frederick, Carroll, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Baltimore counties, were issued a flash flood watch lasted through the evening. By 10 p.m. Saturday, BGE had reported about 15,000 homes in the Baltimore area without power.

The buzz on the Internet has been all about a scary "super moon" this weekend. Seer Kit Karson, at PsychicCosmos.com writes, "Get ready for what could be moderate to severe weather patterns, increased seismic activity, tsunamis and more volcanic eruptions than normal. " But cooler scientific types say there's no evidence the unusually close full moon that rises Saturday evening will do anything of the sort. It may appear a bit bigger and brighter, they say, but not by much.

The National Weather Service issued coastal flood warnings for many parts of Maryland until 8 a.m. Wednesday. The affected areas are southern Baltimore County and Harford, Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties. Baltimore and Harford Counties should expect high tide levels 2 feet above normal. The other areas are expected to see levels 1 to 2 feet higher than usual. The tides will likely bring inundation of shoreline areas and large waves at high tide could make flooding worse, according to the weather service.

Water sloshed out of the Annapolis Harbor before dawn Tuesday, flooding the immediate City Dock area with a foot of water by 6 a.m. But city officials estimated that high tide could crest at 4.8 feet and stay high past 4 p.m. By 4 a.m., crews reported flooding there had begun. City officials were warning people to stay away from the City Dock, as well as other waterfront areas that could be submerged because of the wind-whipped high tide. "City crews are watching the high tide closely," said city spokeswoman Rhonda Wardlaw.

The National Weather Service is calling for Monday to be cloudy in the Baltimore area, with a slight chance of showers, a high near 75 and south winds between 7 and 9 miles per hour. The chance of precipitation is 20 percent. A coastal flood advisory is in effect Monday morning for locations along the western shore of the Maryland Chesapeake Bay from Anne Arundel County northward and for Washington, D.C., along the tidal Potomac River. A small craft advisory is in effect Monday night for the Maryland Chesapeake Bay south of Pooles Island and the lower tidal Potomac River from Cobb Island to Smith Point.

The National Weather Service is calling for Tuesday to be rainy, with a high near 84 and south winds between 8 and 10 miles per hour. The chance of precipitation is 90 percent. Thunderstorms may produce heavy downpours Tuesday afternoon and evening. New rainfall amounts between one quarter of an inch and one half of an inch are possible. A small craft advisory is in effect for the Maryland Chesapeake Bay and the tidal Potomac River from Cobb Island to Smith Point Tuesday and Tuesday night.

The National Weather Service is calling for Thursday to be mostly sunny in the Baltimore area, with a high near 94 and southeast winds 5 to 8 miles per hour in the morning. Thursday night is expected to be mostly cloudy, with a low around 76 and south winds around 6 miles per hour or less. Forecaster warn that there may be minor coastal flooding near high tide Thursday night along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay and the tidal Potomac River. Friday is expected to be partly sunny, with a high near 91 and winds around 5 miles per hour in the afternoon.