Baltimore can expect a warm and stormy period ahead, with the National Weather Service anticipating some heavy rain showers and potential for flash flooding. A backdoor cold front is inching towards the region and is expected to stir things up weather-wise through the early part of next week.
Today's forecast talks of a "very warm afternoon with highs well into the 80s for most areas," and there's ample moisture hitching a ride on southerly flows that could make storms more likely as the day ages. A Flood Watch has been issued for tonight. The watch zone includes the Washington DC Metro area into the Virginia Piedmont/central Virginia, and southern MD, where the heaviest rain is forecast to fall.
Heading into the weekend, Saturday showers are expected to follow Friday's pattern, with a temporary recess possible in the morning hours—ideal for any potential outings before potential thunderstorms later in the day. As per the National Weather Service report, there will likely be a lull in the activity Saturday morning, but another round of heavier showers and thunderstorms is expected to develop Saturday afternoon into Saturday evening. With the boundary shifting, exact storm locations remain a question mark.
The coming days will continue to test Baltimore's readiness for inclement weather, with the forecast indicating persistent showers and a chance of thunderstorms as the front stalls. The marine layer could bring in additional fog and drizzle, complicating visibility and outdoor plans. Even so, subtropical moisture overrunning marine air will cause more showers and perhaps a thunderstorm, according to the National Weather Service update. When it comes to air travel, VFR conditions are anticipated for the most part, but thunderstorms later in the day could bring disruptions, and low clouds paired with fog are likely to lead to IFR/subIFR conditions, especially at night.
Boaters in the Baltimore area should also heed caution; while winds might stay below Small Craft Advisory criteria, thunderstorms could invite gusty conditions warranting Special Marine Warnings. An easterly flow by Sunday could further elevate water levels, so it's worth keeping an extra eye on any coastal plans or activities. Despite the looming storms, temperatures will stay warm, ushering in a humid middle of next week when high pressure over the Atlantic retakes charge.
