Rain and wind could hamper trick-or-treat plans for kids in Maryland, Virginia, and the District.

Heads up—you may have a lot of leftover candy. A strong storm is heading to the mid-Atlantic, potentially causing hazardous conditions on Halloween night. The National Weather Service in Baltimore is predicting heavy rains, damaging winds, and possible tornado activity starting at around 8 p.m. on October 31 and continuing through the evening. The region could get anywhere from one to two inches of rain, increasing the possibility of flash flooding.

The culprit is a cold front that dumped snow on Colorado earlier this week. That storm will converge with warm air in the region to create heavy rain and winds across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. The severe weather conditions aren’t expected until to kick in until after 7 p.m. so the National Weather Service is advising parents to take kids out trick-or-treating as early as possible. 

Courtesy NOAA

The storm will hit the Interstate 81 corridor first and continue east towards the Chesapeake Bay. Wind gusts of up to 50 mph are possible along with a slight chance of tornado activity. The rain could also be accompanied by dangerous thunder and lightning so revelers are encouraged to have a plan to seek shelter if needed. High tides combined with rainfall could cause coastal flooding in Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties. Gale conditions are possible over the water, and drivers are encouraged to monitor restrictions and closures of area bridges.

The hazardous weather is expected to filter out by midnight, ushering in cool and dry temperatures for the rest of the week. Temperatures will drop into the mid-50s on Friday with nighttime lows in the upper 30s. A frost warning will be in effect for Friday night through Saturday morning. 

What is your back-up trick-or-treat plan? Tell us in the comments!