Baltimore residents can expect a brief respite from winter weather today before another low-pressure system sweeps through midweek, according to the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC. In a forecast update released early Tuesday, meteorologists predicted that a cold front would clear the area in the morning, allowing temperatures to hover in the 50s with low 60s possible in central Virginia.
The National Weather Service anticipates a temporary build-in of high pressure through tonight, which could see lows slightly above normal. Although rainfall isn't expected to resume until after daybreak Wednesday, the forecast states a cautionary note for parts of Hampshire County, WV, and western Washington County, MD: "Temps will be below freezing in this area overnight, so if fog forms, the potential for freezing fog exists. "
Looking ahead to Wednesday, chances of a wintry mix developing in parts of western and central Maryland, the eastern West Virginia Panhandle, and northern Virginia have been flagged if precipitation arrives quickly into the lingering cold air. A thread the needle kind of threat, but any freezing rain is hazardous, said the weather bulletin. The region could see rainfall amounts ranging from a quarter of an inch near metropolitan areas to three-quarters of an inch in western Maryland.
Temperatures on Thursday are expected to cool significantly, with highs near or slightly below normal for mid-December. Less than an inch of light snow accumulation could persist into mid-morning across the Alleghenies. As the weekend approaches, an upper trough and a clipper system may bring rain and snow showers, especially to mountainous areas, and "very cold temperatures and dry conditions" are forecasted, with the strongest chill anticipated on Sunday, per the National Weather Service.
For those navigating the skies, expect IFR CIGs (Instrument Flight Rules - cloud ceilings) to lift through daybreak Tuesday, with VFR (Visual Flight Rules) conditions predicted into Tuesday night. However, aviation may face sub-VFR conditions with rain expected from Wednesday's incoming low-pressure system. Similarly, mariners should note that a Small Craft Advisory remains in effect until 6 AM Tuesday, with winds dying down thereafter into Wednesday before potentially ramping up again Wednesday night. Light north/east winds will give way to gusty northwest winds following a strong cold front into the weekend, maintaining Small Craft Advisory-level conditions.
