Bracing winds and plunging temperatures are sweeping through Baltimore following the departure of a vigorous cold frontal system. The National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC predicts continued brisk conditions for the week. Beneath clear but frigid skies, residents can expect the mercury to hover well below average as surface high pressure from the southwest exerts its chilly influence over the area.
The relentless grip of arctic air has the region bundled up and shivering. With temperatures steadying in the frosty 20s and gusts whipping at 20 to 25 mph, wind chills are digging deep, biting into the teens and lower. The Allegheny range is particularly hard-hit, with wind chills recently plummeting below zero. The service warns that an Extreme Cold Advisory is thus in effect until 7 AM today to strongly encourage you to seek shelter. Additionally, snow dusts the region, prompting Winter Weather Advisories and concerns about blowing drifts.
As winter tightens its grasp, Baltimore's streets and alleys turn into wind tunnels, the citadel of high-rise buildings funneling the gusts into frenzied vortexes. The forecast for today sees a northerly pivot to the wind, with gusts flaring up to 30 mph, though the afternoon high should barely peak in the mid to upper 30s. The service mentions that despite scant moisture in the column, a mix of clouds and sun should adorn the skies. This dry but biting climate is also playing out over the Chesapeake, with continued Small Craft Advisories flagging hazardous conditions for mariners.
Looking ahead, the weekend arrives with the promise of a gradual thaw. Saturday begins in the chill but, per predictions, will witness a minor temperature elevation. The urban landscape should thaw slightly, with thermometers aiming for the low 40s, although the service reminds us that the Alleghenies will lag, the mountain air remaining crisp and in the 20s. By Sunday, the area is set to finally break free from the cold snap, with a weather system skirting in to deliver a mild day with highs ascending into the 50s.
After a about of milder air early next week, another weather drama looks to unfold. A potent system is forecast to bring rain initially but could change to snow before it ends, presenting a midweek mix that could lay a fresh wintry blanket over the city. In its wake, the Weather Service anticipates that cold and winds will make an emphatic return, ensuring that Baltimore's December remains firmly under winter's command.
