Baltimore is in for another day of below-average temperatures and breezy conditions. Early risers in the Alleghenies faced light rain that was predicted to continue throughout the day, courtesy of a broad upper trough hovering over the region. According to the National Weather Service, this upper trough is also responsible for the mid-level cloudiness that's set to linger until later this evening.
By late morning to evening, gusty winds will rattle the city, hitting around 25-30 mph, and the mountains could see even stronger gusts up to 40 mph. Having escaped from Cape Code early this morning, a surface low is making its way out, and this should lead to some clearing skies late in the afternoon. "Below normal temperatures once again today as highs reach the mid to upper 60s," the National Weather Service reported, with the nighttime forecast suggesting a rather chilly evening as temperatures drop to the 40s across most areas.
Over the weekend, as the surface low makes its retreat to Nova Scotia, conditions should improve a bit. The upper trough will slide away, taking its influence and allowing high pressure to attempt a comeback. Baltimore can look forward to a less breezy Saturday afternoon with dry conditions prevailing through at least Sunday afternoon. A weak low-pressure wave passing south of us could push a few showers into central VA by Sunday evening, the National Weather Service forecasts. As for temperatures, they're suggested to hover in the relatively cool 60s to low 70s during the day, with nights remaining quite chilly.
Looking ahead to next week, high pressure will step aside on Monday, allowing for another weather system to march toward the mid-Atlantic. This low will bring rain showers and perhaps a couple of thunderstorms to much of the region late Monday through early Wednesday, according to the weather service details, anticipating another spring sprinkling of rain. While temperatures early in the week will trail below average, they should return to near or slightly above the norm by Wednesday. However, this respite might not last too long as another low-pressure system might set its sights on the region around midday Thursday.
Air travel seems untroubled, as VFR conditions are expected to stay through the weekend. Mariners, however, should note that Small Craft Advisories are in place for the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries through this evening, with conditions forecasted to calm down significantly by Sunday night. Tidal levels, too, are expected to decline over the weekend, curtailing the possibility of any coastal flooding, which should be music to the ears of those in historically sensitive areas like Annapolis and the DC SW Waterfront.
