As a weak low-pressure system meanders along the mid-Atlantic coast, Baltimore braces for a rainy Saturday, according to the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC. The forecast, which anticipates showers to spread from central Virginia into the area later in the day, brings a bit of relief with expectations of only moderate rainfall despite the lingering moderate drought conditions.
The anticipated rain, hoping to bring beneficial moisture to the drought-stricken region, is expected to yield totals between one to two inches, particularly from Charlottesville through southern Maryland. Given the lack of instability, rain rates should be manageable, the National Weather Service notes, expecting the wet weather to clear out just as Sunday approaches. Temperatures will linger in the cooler 70-75 range for the day, building up small expectations for clearing skies overnight along the east of the Blue Ridge.
Sunday, however, holds promises for drier conditions with high pressure building north of the region, as indicated by the National Weather Service. The brief respite will precede a potentially more influential weather event, with Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine approaching the southeast coast. The system may start affecting central Virginia by early Tuesday, but with recent models suggesting a more offshore path, significant rain risks might sidestep the Baltimore area.
Looking further into next week, a varied weather mix looms as uncertainty clouds the forecast. Depending on this tropical system's journey, Baltimore could see more rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday. Probabilistically speaking, the further south one goes, the greater the chance they have to receive heavy rainfall amounts, the forecasters suggest. After midweek, a cold front is expected to sweep through the area, potentially ushering in the season's chilliest temperatures, with highs taking a dive into the 60s and nighttime lows possibly dropping to the 40s. Surely, sweaters and jackets will be the apparel of choice for locals as the week progresses.
For aviators, rainfall could cause IFR conditions over the weekend, while the start of the workweek might allow VFR conditions to prevail until Tuesday. Maritime advisories are sparse, with only potential conditions for a Small Craft Advisory across southern waters occurring shortly. With a blend of fall showers and fluctuating forecasts, it's a week where Baltimore residents will do well to keep both their umbrellas and their overcoats within easy reach.
