Baltimore region residents, brace yourselves for a chill. The National Weather Service in Baltimore, MD/Washington, DC, has flagged a very cold airmass sweeping over the area this weekend, bringing with it mountain snow lingering through tonight and into next week. Reports state that the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley are contributing a strong shortwave trough, which is expected to spawn intermittent snow showers through the Alleghenies.
Those living at elevations above 2500 feet should be prepared for potentially higher snow accumulations, especially in areas that can catch heavier snow showers or storms, producing brief and sudden reductions in visibility and gusty winds. This situation could lead to hazardous travel conditions. Baltimore city and surroundings, on the other hand, might get a taste of winter with the possibility of flurries to sprinkles or a mix of both later today as upper atmospheric dynamics kick in, though no significant snow build-up is expected in these lower-lying regions.
Temperature-wise, it's a similar story of shivers. Highs will struggle to break out of the 40s today, with feels-like temperatures taking a plunge in the 20s to 30s, courtesy of gusty winds. The mercury will plummet even further tonight, with readings in the upper teens to mid-20s. Venturing into the weekend, the cold firmly gets its grip. Highs will barely creep into the low 40s, even in the presence of the sun. The feels-like temps in the single digits to teens could make for a particularly raw Saturday night. So, it's time to layer up and protect against this deep chill.
In addition to the frosty air, the long-term outlook suggests a dance of high and low-pressure systems, which could usher in multiple snow events, especially on the mountainous terrain west of the Alleghenies. On Wednesday, parts east of the mountains could also see flakes flying. While the snow is anticipated to be light, the timing of these systems is critical, as a later arrival could bring snowfall with colder temperatures, possibly leading to road temperatures below freezing and hazardous travel conditions. Nautical navigators should note that the "Small Craft Advisory" conditions reign over the waters throughout the weekend and next week, so do stay vigilant if you're setting sail.
