Baltimore residents can expect a mixed bag of weather conditions starting today with a cold front dipping into the area and Tropical Storm Debby slated to make landfall in South Carolina on Thursday. According to the National Weather Service, as Debby moves northeastward later this week, the region should brace for an increase in showers, thunderstorms, and the potential for heavy rainfall through Saturday.
The near-term forecast calls for clear skies this morning with clouds rolling in during the afternoon, bringing afternoon highs into the mid-90s for lower elevations. By tonight, a frontal boundary is expected to usher in scattered showers and thunderstorms, particularly for northeastern Maryland. "Could see a few strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging winds but the main hazard for portions of NE MD especially will be the potential for flash flooding," as stated by the NWS forecast. With these conditions, a Flood Watch might soon be a possibility for this area.
As the cold front fades Wednesday, shower, and thunderstorm chances will increase, according to the NWS, particularly along the front's passage. Though subsiding subsidence north of Tropical Storm Debby could originally squash thunderstorm activity, the forecast suggests that this will not hold for long, and the area may subsequently experience heavy showers and storms later in the week. Current forecasts place the remnants of Debby further north by Friday, emphasizing the main threat of heavy rainfall.
Aviation interests should take heed that VFR conditions are expected to deteriorate by Thursday as Debby approaches, with the possibility of low ceilings and periods of heavy rain and embedded thunderstorms through Friday. As for maritime concerns, Small Craft Advisories dominate the week's forecast. The system's progression is forecasted to enhance these advisories, with gale force gusts not out of the question near southern Maryland waters by Friday.
