As Baltimore residents soak up the warmth today, with the mercury hitting the 70s in most parts, an impending cold front looms over the weekend, heralding a sizeable shift in weather patterns. The National Weather Service in Baltimore MD/Washington DC advises that this cold front, approaching from the Great Lakes region, is prepped to instigate rainfall and gusty winds on Sunday. Coastal areas, brace yourselves, as Minor to Moderate tidal flooding is predicted, particularly for Annapolis, which is expected to reach Moderate flood levels by Sunday afternoon.
Today, however, remains a dry affair courtesy of a surface high pressure slipping away offshore, with "return flow ushers in warmer air with high temperatures rising into the 70s for most," as per the National Weather Service. The skies will clear through the day, leaving Baltimore basked in sunshine by the afternoon. It's not all blue skies ahead, though. The area is on the periphery of a Marginal risk for severe weather come Sunday, with the main concern being potential damage from wind gusts. Annapolis residents should especially take note, as the city is under a Coastal Flood Advisory until midnight tonight.
As the weekend continues, the outlook isn't as bright. An upper-level trough arriving from the central plains is set to become negatively tilted, paving the way for gusty showers to zip through the Midwest into the Mid-Atlantic states on Sunday. According to the National Weather Service, a line of gusty showers will enter the forecast area along the Alleghenies Sunday afternoon before tracking eastward through the afternoon and evening.
Aviation interests take heed—VFR conditions will take a turn come Sunday, with the weather service alerting to potential low ceilings and visibilities through the afternoon into the evening. Mariners' spirits might dampen as well, with the forecast hinting at the necessity of Small Craft Advisories on Sunday as winds kick up to 20 to 30 knots. Conversely, the start of the coming week marks a brief respite, with VFR conditions foretold to return as high pressure makes a fleeting visit.
Navigating the week presents its own set of challenges with another trenchant trough and cold front skirting across the region midweek. This could mean, for some, snow flurries mixing into the rainfall over higher elevations and a stark drop in temperatures – a blunt reminder that winter is inching ever closer. So whether you’re sailing the Chesapeake or flying the skies, the forecast advises a week of caution and preparedness.
