According to the latest report from the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC, Baltimore residents can expect mostly sunny skies and typical chilly December weather weather. The local forecast, updated early in the morning, promises dry conditions as the week draws close, with high pressure firmly establishing itself over the area. The clear weather is set to last until the late weekend when the high drifts offshore and opens the door for some approaching low-pressure systems entering Sunday and the start of next week.
The near-term forecast sees an improvement in wind and precipitation conditions this morning. While the western parts of the region might witness some remnants of snow showers, particularly those dwelling in mountainous terrain, these are anticipated to decrease as the morning progresses. The Weather Service has maintained a Winter Weather Advisory for the Allegheny Front, effective until 6 AM, which could see up to an inch more snow. A Wind Advisory is also in place until 9 AM for the same area. Motorists are warned of possibly slick road conditions during the morning commute due to lingering surface moisture and the colder airmass.
As today unfolds, the region looks to experience cooler air, with highs reaching into the low to mid-40s at lower elevations. In contrast, mountain areas might struggle to exceed the upper teens to low 20s. Winds are expected to persist through the afternoon before diminishing into the evening as high pressure nears, bringing calmer conditions into Friday and Saturday. "Dry conditions continue on Friday with the 1040+ mb high building overhead," cited the National Weather Service.
The extended forecast through the approaching weekend suggests the area might face a shift in weather patterns by Saturday evening, setting the stage for possibly mixed precipitation in the mountains and an increase in cloud cover ahead of the incoming low-pressure system. It's a slightly different story come Sunday through Wednesday, with a cold air damming situation taking shape, boosted by intense high pressure over New England. This setup could lead to wintry precipitation towards the Allegheny Front, while rain is predicted for lower regions east of the Blue Ridge. "A cold air damming set up still looks likely Sunday with strong high pressure over New England," the National Weather Service report detailed.
For travelers and commuters, VFR conditions are slated to hold steady, with clear visibility unaffected. The aviation sector might observe some shifts later into the weekend as cloud ceilings decrease ahead of the weather front. However, substantial impacts appear to be holding off until Sunday afternoon or evening, and a lull is likely between the weather systems into Monday. Conversely, boaters will see a respite as Small Craft Advisories conclude and calm conditions prevail into the weekend, with the coming low pressure's impact on the marine environment expected to be minimal.
