Baltimore residents are bracing for a mix of weather conditions this week as a strong cold front sweeps across the region, followed by the build-up of a potentially severe storm system, according to the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC. The initial dry cold front is expected to cause temperatures to plummet, with lows in the upper teens to mid-20s tonight, and it will be less chilly in the mountains. As the high pressure builds in Sunday and early next week, Baltimoreans can look forward to a reprieve from precipitation, with clear skies offering cold but dry days.
On the horizon, though, is a significant change, with a powerful low-pressure system predicted to cause disruptions around mid-week. "A strong low pressure system likely impacts the region during the middle part of next week," per the National Weather Service. The looming weather event could lead to severe thunderstorms and considerable rainfall. While specifics are still being ironed out, the National Weather Service has signposted a "synoptically evident setup for cool season severe thunderstorms during the day Wednesday."
The forecasted storm system is expected to emerge from the Desert Southwest, escalating as it travels northeast towards the Great Lakes. This system is not only poised to bring moisture-laden southerly winds that could precipitate thunderstorms but is also said to come with a powerful wind field, potentially reaching Wind Advisory criteria. Residents could see half an inch to an inch of rain from Tuesday night into Wednesday, which could benefit the area considering the ongoing drought and recent dry spell.
By Thursday, as the system moves on, colder air will funnel in, turning any remaining rain showers in the Alleghenies into snow, with accumulations expected. The National Weather Service adds, "These snow showers will continue into Thursday night, before winding down prior to daybreak Friday," indicating a likely reprieve in time for the end of the workweek. In the marine sphere, boaters face hazardous conditions with Gale Warnings in effect and advisories forecasting strong winds and potential thunderstorms over the waters. Ahead of the impending storm event, there's a call for caution on both land and sea.
The terse atmospheric dynamics have also sparked concerns related to fire weather. The cold front's enabling of strong winds and low humidity has resulted in a Red Flag Warning for areas along and east of the Blue Ridge/Catoctins, and a Special Weather Statement for the Shenandoah Valley and Potomac Highlands suggests heightened fire danger. So, while the week begins with a brittle winter snap, it ends with eyes on the skies, watching for a storm that could come with both shakes and soaks.
