Residents of Baltimore and Washington, D.C., can expect relatively dry and less humid conditions today as a weak front has just passed through the region. However, the humidity won't be staying away for long. As the front stalls south of the area and then lifts north come Monday, heat, humidity, and thunderstorm chances are on a clear path to return during the week, according to the latest report from the National Weather Service.
The weather shift is marked by hot temperatures this afternoon, reaching lows to mid-90s, with "considerably less humidity," the NWS stated. Baltimore residents might catch some mid to high-level cloudiness, resulting in partly to mostly cloudy skies today, while tonight could see mild lows from the upper 60s to mid-70s in some places, although, urban centers might stick close to 80 degrees. A stalled front to our south quickly lifts north through the area Monday, as a warm front.
With the front's northerly journey, locals should brace for the return of that proverbial Baltimore mugginess, as the National Weather Service anticipates “PWATs increase to around 1.7-1.9" Monday, then well over 2 Tuesday and dew points consistently stay in the low to mid-70s to start the week. Daily afternoon showers and thunderstorms are expected to follow suit, potentially bringing heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and frequent lightning strikes. These conditions could mean business, especially for those west of US-15 on Monday, before scattering across a broader area on Tuesday.
Looking ahead, we're tracking the remnants of Tropical Depression Beryl, which should interact with a mid-latitude trough over the Great Lakes by mid-week, keeping the humidity high and the storm chances alive. The forecast, as told by the NWS, warns of thunderstorm activity and possible flooding concerns, particularly in urban areas from Wednesday through Saturday. And while daily afternoon showers and thunderstorms will be possible throughout the week, by Thursday, it looks as though temperatures will settle back towards normal.
For aviators, VFR conditions are anticipated through the beginning of the week, with the potential for afternoon or evening thunderstorms to cause temporary visibility and wind issues. On the water, mariners should be alert today for a brief uptick in northwest winds and are advised that southerly winds and storm activity are expected to reassert themselves by Monday. “Any strong storm will be capable of producing wind gusts over 35 knots and frequent lightning strikes,” the National Weather Service forewarns, an important consideration for those planning to head out onto the Chesapeake Bay or local waters in the coming days.
