Baltimore residents should expect a mix of weather conditions today as a cold front sweeps across the region, potentially disrupting outdoor plans with scattered showers this afternoon. Per the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC, the cold front, trailing a solid upper trough, is projected to bring cooler temperatures and brisk northwest winds as it moves from Garrett County eastward throughout the day.
Given the transient nature of showers, with only a 20-30% chance of precipitation east of the Blue Ridge, it's unlikely that the city will see consistent rainfall. "Conditions quickly dry out and skies clear behind the front late afternoon into the evening," according to the latest NWS forecasts. However, following the frontal passage, the temperatures are set to plunge tonight into the upper 30s to low 40s in the Alleghenies and the 40s to low 50s elsewhere in the region.
The weather shift is not all gloom. Baltimore is slated for a sunny, albeit crisp, Sunday. "A large area of high pressure brings cooler and drier conditions tonight into Monday," the National Weather Service reports. This outlook bodes well for those seeking a respite from summer's lingering humidity, with fall-like temperatures anticipated Sunday and climbing back to the upper 70s by Monday.
Despite the chilly forecast, record-breaking cold seems unlikely. Daily lows are set to hover just above the September 8-9 records. “Charlottesville, Martinsburg, and Hagerstown are the most likely to approach their daily record lows," the National Weather Service predicts, suggesting a close but no cigar scenario for any new entries in the climate logbooks.
On the Chesapeake Bay, mariners should brace for strong gusts this evening due to the cold front. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Sunday morning. Conversely, conditions on the bay should improve markedly by Sunday afternoon as the high pressure eases in.
Landlubbers in Baltimore and beyond should take note of the dry and breezy conditions into the early week. They present a reduced yet palpable fire risk, especially west of the Blue Ridge mountains, where relative humidity values could dip between 25% and 35% on Sunday afternoon.
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