As residents in Baltimore start their Sunday, a shift in weather patterns is expected due to a cold front stalling to the south, according to the National Weather Service, Baltimore, MD/Washington, DC. The cold front is expected to transition into a warm front on Monday, accompanied by a trailing low-pressure system crossing the Great Lakes region. This system will usher in a cold front that is likely to impact the mid-Atlantic from Monday night into Tuesday, bringing modest precipitation.
Today, locals can expect another warm day with most areas in the 70s to low 80s (60s in the mountains), and a chance for a few rain showers generally west of the Blue Ridge, the National Weather Service stated. While severe weather is not highly anticipated, instances of thunder could occur, and small hail cannot be ruled out due to the low freezing levels. The evening will see temperatures dipping back into the 50s, accompanied by an increase in cloud cover.
Moving into the workweek, the low-pressure system advancing into the Great Lakes will reverse the direction of the cold/stationary front, changing it to a warm front on Monday. Residents can expect dry conditions and high temperatures, consistent with the range observed on Sunday. However, by Monday evening, the incoming cold front will bring a slightly increased chance for precipitation, although total rainfall is expected to remain low, typically under a quarter of an inch. Temperatures Monday night will remain mild, in the 50s to low 60s.
As the week progresses, above-average atmospheric heights will contribute to prolonged mild temperatures. At the surface level, a period of high pressure midweek will set the stage. Still, a cold front sagging south through the waters on Tuesday could produce scattered showers and thunderstorms, which may briefly affect marine activities, according to the National Weather Service. Further along in the week, an increase in rain chances is anticipated, as systems from the south are expected to influence the local weather by Thursday and Friday.
In aviation news, lighter winds are forecasted until daybreak with a shift to northwesterly winds after the passage of the cold front. All terminals are expected to maintain Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions throughout the entire day on Sunday. Looking ahead to Tuesday, the potential for scattered showers or thunderstorms increases, especially south of most airport terminals, which could potentially impact Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO).
Mariners should be aware that Small Craft Advisory conditions persisted through early this morning for central parts of the Chesapeake Bay due to wind shifts. For the middle of the coming week, favorable marine conditions are anticipated, though gusts could approach 15 knots on Tuesday afternoon, potentially posing localized hazards for boaters.
