The weather in Baltimore has taken a decisive turn towards the frigid as an expansive Arctic high pressure builds its presence across the north-central U.S., promising a week of particularly cold days ahead. According to the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC, this weather pattern is here to stay for a bit, with blustery conditions expected to continue through Tuesday. Gusty winds will persist, though having diminished since their peak, with wind advisories in effect and wind chills predicted to drop to 10 to 15 degrees below zero in certain areas.
For those bracing for snow, earlier showers that crossed eastern WV and far NW VA have ceased this morning. In the near term, colder weather is virtually knocking at the door with single-digit lows, and areas along and west of the Allegheny Front could face quite the chill due to the wind chills. As we tread into mid-week, forecasters say a forming area of low pressure over the Mississippi River Valley is expected to move toward the Carolinas and then veer off the East Coast, potentially bringing several inches of snow mainly to the I-64 corridor and southward.
Diving into the tail end of the week, Thursday night through early Friday shows promise for a more transparent sky, with high pressure driving away the remnants of upslope snow showers. Yet, with temperatures projected to linger approximately 10 degrees below average, it's hardly time to retire the winter gear. Days will likely max out in the middle to upper 30s, while nighttime lows may dip as low as the lower 20s.
Debates amongst weather models add a touch of unpredictability for Sunday's outlook; significant discrepancies promise nothing specific, but a low-pressure system could be moving in with possibilities for wintry weather or a cold embrace. One thing seems clear: winter's last chapter for Baltimore has not yet concluded, and its chilly finale could extend into the coming week.
For aviators, VFR conditions are expected to hold through Tuesday, with some standard 20 kt gusts during daylight hours. According to the National Weather Service, marine traffic should note that Gale Warnings are in effect until later this afternoon, an indication of the high pressure's force. As Baltimore residents bundle up and hunker down, they can take solace in one thing: spring is around the corner, or at least, that's the hope.
