Those dreaming of a white Christmas in Baltimore may not see those dreams come true citywide, but for anyone up in the Allegheny Front, the ground's winter coat ensures some holiday cheer stays intact. As reported by the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC, while northeastern Maryland's morning frost has likely melted away, clear skies seem shy today. The forecast points toward a greyscale panorama, with an omnipresent stratus cloud deck hovering at 4,000 to 5,000 feet, which has, in turn, softened the bite of winter's chill, keeping temps nestled in the 30s.
Travelers weaving through Garrett County might encounter patches of dense fog, a consequence of earlier snowfalls and subsequent melts. But otherwise, the city rests under the watchful eye of a high-pressure system, which promises still, quiet air with a breeze to narrate its presence. Later, as twilight approaches with a weak frontal boundary wisping by unnoticed in the west, the region hunkers down for a night of potentially frosty farewells to Christmas Day.
Heading into Thursday and Friday, the environmental stage doesn't shift dramatically. Like a steadfast guardian against the capricious whims of more dramatic weather, the same old high-pressure holds station. This setup tosses a mix of clouds and sun into the sky's canvas, with the mercury dutifully replicating Wednesday's mellow tune. For those with keen eyes looking eastward, a subtle shift in winds heralds change. Still, it's the gentlest of preludes to Friday night's forecast arrival of precipitation, flirting with the notion of a wintry mix near the Mason-Dixon Line.
Change inches closer on Saturday as the warm front attempts to scrub away the cold air damming that lingers, like a guest overstaying its welcome. But it's not until later in the day that we might expect temperatures to adjust to something more fitting for rain. A system gathers strength to the west, casting a weather net over the Great Lakes by Sunday, bringing rains and perhaps a fleeting glimpse of spring-like warmth. According to the National Weather Service forecast, despite the potential for a dynamic display, the area should remain quite stable, with only a minimal gusty wind threat as this system hustles through.
For those leaning on aviation, these overcast conditions linger, nuzzling comfortably right on the border of VFR and MVFR through the daylight hours. As weekend plans take flight, the same high pressure that nudged away strong winds invites conditions ripe for uninterrupted travel through the stratosphere despite the potential for precipitation late Friday night, shaking up the monotony. Even the waters of Chesapeake Bay, often so reactive to the moods of the sky, can expect a tame performance from the winds, with the National Weather Service forecasting only mild gusts occasionally ruffling the bay's surface into the coming weekend.
