Baltimore residents should brace for some weather whiplash as the National Weather Service has forecasted fog, showers, and thunderstorms to roll through the region starting today—especially for those dwelling in mountainous areas. "Showers and thunderstorms developing later today, especially over the mountains," said the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC in a statement—rising temperatures could lead to heavy downpours and even potential flooding in certain locales, with Washington County, MD, and along the Blue Ridge Mountains being flagged as high-risk zones. However, a Flood Watch has yet to be issued due to prevailing uncertainties.
The city will navigate through lingering low clouds and areas of drizzle this morning, with some patchy fog expected before conditions start to clear up later in the morning—yet fog and mist might persist along the bay, which could impact marine visibility. For Baltimore's metropolis and its immediate surroundings, the weather should remain relatively mild for now, "the latest CAMs have slightly decreased the threat further east towards the I-95 corridor," according to the National Weather Service, but citizens are advised to stay vigilant and be ready for the weather's caprice as strong to severe thunderstorms could still emerge later this afternoon brought forth by sufficient CAPE and shear values with damaging winds and hail as the main threats.
Boating on the bay might be tricky, onshore flows are to continue throughout the day, and mariners should note that the opportunity for thunderstorms strengthens towards evening—Southwesterly channeling this evening might also hit marginal Small Craft Advisory conditions. Post-frontal passage, northwest winds may necessitate advisories come Sunday night and into Monday. Looking ahead, as high pressure builds over the area, the marine forecast sees winds picking up again Tuesday morning, which could fetch Small Craft Advisory conditions once more, particularly over southern waters.
Coastal flooding advisory updates are in effect until Sunday morning, signaling that the ongoing southerly flow might keep tidal anomalies high enough to affect water levels around the high tide, and areas with vulnerable shorelines should be cognizant of the minor flood stage threat—a subsequent decrease in water levels is anticipated on Monday when the cold front has passed.
