Residents in Baltimore and surrounding regions should prepare for a mix of cloudy conditions and scattered rain showers today as a stalled front continues to affect the area. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) Baltimore/Washington, strong high pressure from eastern Canada is expected to build southward along the Appalachians, contributing to the dreary weather. A weak cold front is also predicted to cross the region this afternoon, potentially heightening shower and thunderstorm activity.
The NWS forecast suggests "widespread cloudiness, patchy fog, and light showers" for the early morning, with central Shenandoah Valley and Central VA expecting the highest chances of rain through late morning. Although rainfall amounts are projected to remain modest, with up to a quarter of an inch possible, rainfall totals could reach 1-2 inches tonight in some areas, especially in the central Shenandoah Valley into Central VA. The NWS statement acknowledges the ongoing drought and downplays widespread flooding concerns but does not rule out some minor flooding in urban or poorly drained locales should heavy rain occur.
Highs are struggling to reach the upper 60s to around 70 degrees Fahrenheit today, with lows tonight expected to settle in the lower to mid-60s. The NWS advises that, due to the predominant cloudy conditions and anticipated showers, the expected change in temperature throughout the day will be minimal.
Looking ahead, the mid-week forecast includes a complex weather situation as the area sits between an upper-level trough to the west and a building mid-level ridge offshore of the Carolinas. A wave of low pressure from a cutoff low could bring more showers on Wednesday, particularly to the west of the Blue Ridge, although "areas to the east possibly seeing somewhat drier conditions" says the NWS.
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