Baltimore residents can anticipate a rather dreary start today with widespread low clouds and patchy fog affecting the morning commute. According to the National Weather Service, conditions are expected to be mostly dry, with temperatures hovering steadily in the 50s this morning, a slight increase from yesterday’s afternoon temperatures.
The same source reports that a stationary front extending from the Carolinas to the Central Appalachians is responsible for the current weather conditions, including the creation of a CAD (Cold Air Damming) wedge across the area. With the weak surface low off the coast moving away, a weakness of high pressure is fast approaching. Expect the clouds to lift slightly in the afternoon, shifting to mostly cloudy skies, as the area contends with scattered showers and thunderstorms moving eastward towards the I-95 corridor in the evening. Highs are forecasted to reach the mid to upper 70s, but the persistent cloud cover hinders the certainty of that happening.
Heading into the weekend, it seems the city won’t be catching a break quite yet. Widespread showers and scattered thunderstorms are likely to develop, signaling a potentially tumultuous Friday, especially as an upper-level low approaches from the west and instigates the development of a low-pressure system along the frontal zone. The looming threat of flash flooding accompanies this system due to the prospect of heavy rainfall.
Temperatures on Friday are forecasted in the mid to upper 80s, with Saturday seeing a significant dip due to abundant cloud cover, resulting in cooler highs in the upper 60s to lower 70s. A cold front making its way through Saturday night promises an end to the wet conditions. However, it will introduce a surprising late-season cold air intrusion, which will dip temperatures into the chilling 40s to low 50s.
Moving into next week, a weak high-pressure system will dry things out on Sunday, bringing some respite from the rain. However, don't put those umbrellas away just yet. A low-pressure system is projected to move across the region late Sunday, with the possibility of more showers or the occasional thunderstorm causing disruptions into Monday evening. For those navigating the bay, the weather forecast suggests no significant marine hazards from Sunday through to Monday night, with northwest winds at 5 to 10 knots prevailing.
As for the tides and potential coastal flooding, water levels are expected to remain elevated through Saturday with south winds dominating. However, despite reaching the action stage at high tide in some spots, minor flooding isn't explicitly forecasted at this time. Relief is expected to arrive after the weekend, with winds turning offshore late Saturday following the cold front, causing water levels to retreat.
