Baltimore residents better keep their rain gear handy as this workweek flies off to a gloomy start with low clouds, fog, drizzle, and the persistent presence of showers. According to the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC, a stalled front is to blame for the onset of this dreary weather. Baltimore and the surrounding areas will have to wait until Tuesday and Wednesday for conditions to improve, as a warm front pushes north and temperatures begin to recover. However, the threat of showers and thunderstorms will continue to loom.
Moreover, the NWS has issued a Flood Watch effective from noon today until midnight for several regions, including parts of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Thanks to yesterday's rainfall, ranging from a half-inch to two inches, these regions are bracing for another round of wet weather that has the potential to quickly escalate into flooding conditions. Forecasters are closely monitoring areas along and west of the US-220 corridor, including Garrett County, Maryland, and stretching toward Pendleton County, West Virginia, and Highland County, Virginia, which remain particularly vulnerable.
For folks hoping to see some respite from the gray skies, there's a sliver of hope as some areas west of the Allegheny Front and south of I-64 might catch some breaks of sunshine, with temperatures nudging into the mid to upper 70s. However, overall, the majority of the region will experience cooler temperatures. The Baltimore/DC urban areas are unlikely to rise much above the low 70s.
Aviation interests take note – the conditions aren't looking any too friendly for flights either. Reduced visibility and low cloud cover are causing IFR conditions to prevail into the mid-morning hours. OVC CIGS will continue to hover between 500-1000 feet, the NWS stated, singling out mountains west of KMRB and KCHO as trouble spots for thunderstorms this afternoon. So, travelers should prepare to adjust to possible changes in flight schedules.
Looking ahead to the weekend, high pressure is expected to bring back hot and dry conditions. But until then, Thursday may see severe thunderstorms as another front moves through the region, followed by cooler and drier air towards the end of the week. Mariners, likewise, won't escape the weather's clutches, with a stalled front keeping conditions unsettled throughout this evening and a warm front causing further uncertainty on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The steady march of meteorological conditions isn't letting up, and Baltimore residents will need to stay informed and prepared as the weather plays out its course this week. Stay updated with the latest forecasts and advisories from the National Weather Service for the most current weather information and safety instructions.
