Batten down the hatches, Baltimore, for the oncoming waves of unstable weather is set to chart a turbulent course across the region over the next few days. According to the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC, today's forecast brings a backdoor cold front that will sweep through and camp out until Friday night, followed by a warm front on Saturday with another frontal assault expected to come Sunday night. While the stormy interlude will give way to high pressure and clearer skies through the first half of next week, if you're looking for a weekend respite, you may be out of luck.
For those hunkering down today and tonight, forecasters predict storms with the potential to unleash strong winds and unwelcome flash flooding across the northern half of the area close to the surface and 850 mb fronts—the southern areas along I-64 may have more heat and instability, however, devoid of the increased forcing and low-level convergence, their stormy encounters may prove less dramatic. Yet, with the recent dry spell and general uncertainty, the Weather Service opts against issuing a Flood Watch at this time despite the eventful forecast. T-storm activity is set to decline after midnight as cooler air nudges its way in from behind the backdoor front.
As the weekend approaches, the weather script offers no reprieve, with the backdoor front expected to clear the northern reaches of the forecast area on Friday, subjecting central VA and the I-64 corridor to potential thunderstorms, the excitement will undoubtedly a notch down from today's theatricals.
For our friends on the waters, take heed, for the National Weather Service advises Small Craft Advisory conditions this evening due to robust onshore flow. Sailors should expect diminished winds on Friday, with another increase come Saturday night thanks to southerly channeling.
Last but not least, for those with waterfront property, you might want to keep an eye on the tides. Easterly winds today will perpetuate elevated tidal anomalies around times of high tide through Friday. If the onshore flows strengthen as posited later this week, minor flooding might be on the cards, especially in areas that are historically more prone to succumbing to the whims of the water's edge.
