According to the latest forecast, Baltimore residents should brace themselves for a windy week ahead. The National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC has issued several High Wind Warnings and Wind Advisories for parts of the region, as gusts could reach up to 70 mph in some areas come Tuesday morning. The wind events are expected due to a strong gradient between an approaching cold front and high pressure to the south, increasing wind speeds particularly along and immediately in the lee of the Allegheny Front.
The initial wave of winds will bolster through the night, bringing gusts between 50 and 65 mph. Come Tuesday morning, "wind gusts along and immediately in the lee of the Allegheny Front could approach 70 mph right around daybreak," reported the National Weather Service. Despite the blustery conditions, skies are expected to remain clear, with only waves of mid-level clouds predicted to waft over the region.
A northward moisture shift will mitigate the cold front's southward progression on Wednesday, creating uncertainty about the potential for significant snowfall along and west of the Allegheny Front. Another round of strong winds is anticipated to buffet the region Wednesday afternoon, particularly north of US-50 and along and west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The forecast advises locals to anticipate 25 to 35 knots of wind gusts on the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding waterways.
Falling temperatures won't be far behind, with colder air expected to follow the weekend's low-pressure system into Sunday. The main story will be dry conditions and colder temperatures in the lower 40s. In the meantime, Baltimore's maritime community should plan for Small Craft Advisories, with anticipated southwest winds shifting northwest into Tuesday. Gale watches are also in place for Wednesday afternoon across multiple zones on the bay, signaling the likelihood of rough conditions for those on the water.
A reprieve is forecasted, as high pressure slated for Thursday aims to dry out the region briefly. However, the calm is set to be short-lived, as a low-pressure system from the Midwest is predicted to usher in the rain Thursday night through Friday night, potentially complicating travel and outdoor activities again. Residents in the affected areas will need to maintain awareness of the changing weather conditions in the coming days, particularly those associated with the wind advisories.
