95°
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
52%
14
St. Mary's County, MD · Chesapeake Bay
Elms Beach Park
19350 Back Door Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653
Over 500 feet of Chesapeake shoreline in southern St. Mary's with unsupervised swimming, crabbing, and fishing. Large playground, picnic pavilions, floating kayak/canoe pier, and nature trails. Daily-pass fees apply on weekends and holidays.
Today's Conditions
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · High nettle risk · 52% rain
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 105. Southwest wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 1am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1am and 2am. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. Heat index values as high as 102. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Weather
- 95°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- 52% rain — rain likely at some point
Water
- 84°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
- High nettle risk — 71% probability — reconsider swimming
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
- NWS alert active — severe thunderstorm watch issued july 18 at 4:33pm edt until july 18 at 9:00pm edt by nws baltimore md/washington dc
8 /100
skip
0 Swim
23 Sunbathe
1 Walk
0 Fish
20 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Weather alert in effect
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 18 at 4:33PM EDT until July 18 at 9:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 7:50AM EDT until July 18 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
Atmosphere
Air Temp
95°F
Thunderstorms
Wind
12 mph
SW
Rain
52%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
7 High
Peaks 01 PM · burn in ~29m
Burn-free before 11 AM & after 02 PM
Tomorrow
89°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
84°F
Swimming weather
Sea Nettles
High nettle risk
71% probability · Potomac buoy
Water Quality
Clean
20 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 10mo ago
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
5:56 AM
Sunset
8:26 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:58 AM | High | 1.6 ft |
| 11:46 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 6:34 PM | High | 1.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:12 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 6:53 AM | High | 1.5 ft |
| 12:31 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 7:27 PM | High | 1.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 1:05 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 7:47 AM | High | 1.5 ft |
| 1:15 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 8:19 PM | High | 1.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:00 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 8:42 AM | High | 1.4 ft |
| 2:01 PM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 9:13 PM | High | 1.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2:58 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 9:41 AM | High | 1.3 ft |
| 2:50 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 10:10 PM | High | 1.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 3:56 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 10:41 AM | High | 1.3 ft |
| 3:42 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 11:06 PM | High | 1.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:52 AM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 11:38 AM | High | 1.3 ft |
| 4:35 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| 11:57 PM | High | 1.6 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8578240, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
89°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
17%
44
86°
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
15%
81
91°
Showers And Thunderstorms
79%
9
88°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
74%
14
82°
Slight Chance Rain Showers
21%
75
85°
Sunny
11%
84
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen UV index 7 — high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 12 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 84°F
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 52% rain chance
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 95°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Minor
10:20 PM - 11:20 PM
Major
3:40 AM - 5:40 AM
Minor
10:10 AM - 11:10 AM
Major
3:50 PM - 5:50 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Lot at entrance.
Dogs
Dogs permitted on leash.
Entry Fee
$7/day county resident, $25/day non-resident (weekends & holidays)
Address
19350 Back Door Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Elms Beach Park today?
Elms Beach Park shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Elms Beach Park dog-friendly?
Dogs permitted on leash.
Is there an entry fee at Elms Beach Park?
$7/day county resident, $25/day non-resident (weekends & holidays)
Are there lifeguards at Elms Beach Park?
No lifeguards are stationed at Elms Beach Park. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Elms Beach Park?
Amenities at Elms Beach Park include beach, playground, picnic pavilions, kayak launch, nature trails, portable restrooms.
When is the water warmest at Elms Beach Park?
The Chesapeake warms quickly — water temperatures peak in late July and August, typically 78-82°F. Swimming comfortable from mid-June through September.
Where is Elms Beach Park located?
Elms Beach Park is in St. Mary's County, MD, at 19350 Back Door Rd, Lexington Park, MD 20653.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS