Baltimore residents are in for a spell of warm weather today, thanks to a domineering high-pressure system that's planting itself right above the region. According to the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC, temperatures can crest into the 70s for most areas, save for those entrenched in the northeast and the higher elevations—think upper 60s for this crowd.
Enjoying the sun's embrace does come with a caveat today: the gusts are predicted to whip up to 20 mph along the western ranges, stirring an elevated risk for wildfires. The NWS is weighing whether to issue a Special Weather Statement for an elevated threat for rapid fire spread in these prone locales.
As tonight's moisture-starved cold front slinks through, expect the mercury to slide back into the fortress of the 40s. Those nestled within the loftiness of the Alleghenies might get a wee chillier, dipping into the 30s.
Fast forward to Wednesday, and the region's weather narrative takes a slight turn under the cold front's influence, where the thermometer may show more reluctance to climb, hovering in the 50s in northeastern Maryland but potentially touching the mid-70s in central Virginia. "There is a large spread in the high temperature forecast for Wednesday," the National Weather Service outlines, the uncertainty firmly pinned on the frontal boundary's final resting place. High pressure remains our steadfast ally as the sun arcs onto Thursday, promising more dry conditions and a marginal uptick in warmth.
Long term, Friday to Monday may leave you fencing with frustration as persistent stratus clouds vie to cloak your solar gains, particularly if you’re on the east side of the Appalachians. That's not to dampen hopes for some rallying sunshine, especially south of the Shenandoah Valley, but stratus might stick around like an unwelcome guest on Friday and possibly Saturday morning. "Morning stratus may have difficulty scouring out, with the highest chance of sun in the central Shenandoah Valley and southern Potomac Highlands," the National Weather Service cautions. Showers and perhaps a thunderclap or two might gatecrash your weekend, mainly west of the Blue Ridge, where a low-pressure mood ring colors the unsettled atmosphere.
The aviation sphere sees VFR (visual flight rules) conditions ruling until at least Thursday across terminals. Yet, as you approach the end of the week, mariners fare a bit choppier with a potential ramp-up on Saturday that could raise advisory-level southerly gusts.
