Baltimoreans looking for a sunny Memorial Day might be in luck, but those hopeful for a warm-up must keep their jackets handy a little longer. The National Weather Service in Baltimore, MD/Washington, DC has forecasted high pressure trying to muscle in from the northwest today, with below-normal temperatures prevailing through the holiday. If you're heading out today, expect a blend of sun and clouds and perhaps brace for gusty 20-30 mph winds in the afternoon that'll settle down by evening.
As Baltimore heads into the weekend, temperatures will be reluctant to climb, with highs hovering in the 40s to 70s. The night might play host to the occasional frost in sheltered valleys of the Alleghenies despite intervening light winds and cloud cover. Looking ahead to the short term, Sunday through Monday night brings a weak surface high that will offer dry conditions during daylight hours. However, scarce showers may appear by Sunday evening, especially south of US-50.
The long-term perspective doesn't promise a reprieve from raincoats as daily showers and potential thunderstorms are on the agenda from Tuesday to Wednesday. Cooler-than-average temperatures will continue to grip the region, with most areas seeing highs in the 60s, only creeping into the low 70s east of I-95. This upcoming midweek period also warns of potential flooding concerns as the prediction warns of heavier rainfall on Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Aviators and mariners, expect a mostly clear Memorial Day weekend, with VFR conditions through the period and Small Craft Advisories due to persistent northwest gusts today. Winds quickly diminish tonight and remain below SCA levels through Memorial Day, noted the National Weather Service discussion. As the next work week commences, there could be some unsettled weather in the skies with sub-VFR conditions possible during rain and thunderstorms on Tuesday. For mariners, Small Craft Advisory conditions could pop up on Wednesday, contingent upon the movements of a surface low.
Along the shorelines, tide levels have the potential to inch up slightly through the holiday weekend despite persistent offshore winds. The forecast notes that sensitive locations likely reach the Action Stage during other overnight to early morning high tide cycles each day, but we don't expect the rise to exceed the flood stage. So, while waterfront property owners might watch, no coastal flooding advisories are currently on the scene.
