Baltimore and Washington DC residents should prepare for a mix of weather conditions through the weekend into next week, with fog, sunshine, and potential thunderstorms on the horizon. According to the National Weather Service, morning fog is expected to clear up on Friday, making way for a warm day with scattered clouds and temperatures in the lower to mid-80s. At the same time, the evening may bring low cloud development east of the Blue Ridge and fog in the southern parts of the forecast area.
As we head into the weekend, a frontal system from the Great Lakes is set to move in, ramping up storm chances, especially west of the Blue Ridge, where "showers and thunderstorms should develop with the approaching forcing" and "there does appear to be enough forcing for showers and isolated storms to last well into the night," the NWS forecast discussion from the weather service mentions. Instability and shear could lead to organized storms capable of producing hail and localized wind damage come Saturday afternoon. The frontal system will likely stagnate through Sunday, casting the area into cloudy, drizzly conditions to its northeast and sun with temperatures near 80 to its southwest.
For aviation interests, fog again comes to the fore for early morning flyers, with potential visibility restrictions at CHO and MRB, however, by mid-morning, improving conditions by 13-14Z should alleviate concerns for most, and VFR conditions are forecast for the remainder of Friday, while the weekend's thunderstorm potential could lead to fluctuating conditions and sub-VFR ceilings and occasional light rain or drizzle lingering into Sunday evening.
Mariners in the area also need to heed the weekend forecast, as thunderstorms could reach the waters by late Saturday afternoon or evening, and winds turning from northerly towards the east and southeast through tonight into Saturday—though no marine hazards are expected immediately, there could be marginal Small Craft Advisory conditions developing over the weekend.
On the coastal front, the ongoing higher water levels and high astronomical tides are raising concerns for flooding. The National Weather Service warns of "a long duration coastal flood event," with a Coastal Flood Advisory in effect for various areas and a Coastal Flood Watch activated for Anne Arundel County come Saturday evening, as onshore wind persistence well into the following week may exacerbate flooding.
