Baltimore and surrounding areas are set for a mix of rain and snow, as detailed by the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC in their latest weather forecast discussion. Experts predict that this weather system, driven by an area of low pressure and a cold front, will impact the region from today into early Saturday. After the front passes, a high-pressure system will usher in freezing, dry weather lasting through Monday.
The short-term forecast anticipates precipitation across the Baltimore metropolitan area with the potential of a light dusting to an inch of snow accumulation in specific localities. The most muscular upper trough movement throws a weak clipper into disarray. While it could bring some snow showers to the Alleghenies and Potomac Highlands, light rain is expected along the I-95 corridor, with the potential for the rain/snow mix to present itself between I-95 and US-15. Accumulations might reach 1.5 inches in certain areas, notably near the Maryland/Pennsylvania border. Blustery wind conditions are predicted to set in by Saturday afternoon, resulting in wind chill values dropping to the teens and as low as single digits in the mountains.
Nighttime conditions will turn even more brisk and dry with the Canadian High in place. Temperatures will drop to the 20s, and gusty winds will drive wind chill values down to single digits and potentially below zero in some higher elevations. The National Weather Service notes that Sunday will not offer much relief from the cold, with highs straining to reach freezing and overnight lows falling to the low teens.
Looking toward the week ahead, dry conditions will remain dominant through Monday, while Tuesday introduces the probable extension of a cold front from Canada, bringing in a slight chance of rain and snow. As this front lingers, intermittent rain and snow showers could occur through Thursday. The predicted highs will gradually climb from the chilly 30s on Monday to a more temperate mid to upper 40s by Thursday. The cold front winds down, signaling an increase in temperatures, which would be a warm welcome after the chill, with overnight temperatures rising from earlier week 20s to mid-30s by Thursday night.
Aviators should be cautious as flight restrictions may arise due to the expected weather conditions. Specifically, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) could see a combination of rain and snow showers this morning, transitioning to mainly rain later in the day with the potential development of low-cloud cover. Northwest winds, forecasted to pick up post-cold front passage, might lead to gusts around 23-28 knots on Saturday afternoon, lending to VFR conditions for the weekend. In marine news, the advisory states that Small Craft Advisories are in effect for certain zones starting this evening and lasting into the weekend, courtesy of escalating northerly winds.
