Baltimore residents should brace themselves for a series of weather shifts as a cold front is set to sweep through, followed by what promises to be the chilliest temperatures of the season so far. According to the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC, today will likely remain dry throughout the morning, but expect to see some shower activity spreading eastward as the day unfolds, particularly over the Alleghenies by early afternoon.
The brewing storm is due in part to a potent upper trough moving toward Lake Superior with a subsequent cold front stretching towards the Southern Plains, producing increased winds across Baltimore, potentially gusting between 15 to 25 mph. Humidity is also set to rise, with dewpoints hitting the lower 60s, making it a touch humid, per the National Weather Service reports. This incoming front will likely offer relief from the ongoing drought conditions, with less than an inch of rain expected for most areas, though isolated totals could be higher.
By Wednesday, Baltimore will experience an abrupt drop in temperatures as the front clears through, transitioning from the 70s in the morning to the 60s by the afternoon, with winds shifting and gusting out of the northwest. This marks the kickoff of some serious cool down, with high pressure descending from the north bringing some of the season's most bracing air thus far. Nighttime temperatures are anticipated to plunge into the 30s in more remote locations.
Continuing the trend, the latter part of the week promises even colder nights, especially Thursday, when frost/freeze headlines will likely be needed for much of the forecast area, according to the National Weather Service. The upcoming weekend also looks to maintain cooler temperatures, and depending on the movement of the low-pressure system developing to the southeast, rain probabilities and cloudiness could increase significantly.
On the aviation front, conditions are poised to remain predominantly viable with anticipated Visual Flight Rules (VFR). However, pilots should gear up for potential wind shifts and gusts, especially as the cold front passes through on Wednesday morning. Similarly, marine conditions will call for Small Craft Advisories with gusty southerly and later northwesterly winds set to churn up the Chesapeake Bay and adjacent waters.
Lastly, coastal residents might experience higher tides but no serious flooding this week. The forecast remains unpredictable as we head into the weekend, with potential for an uptick in onshore flow and water levels with the impending southeastern low-pressure system. Keep an eye on your local weather station for updates as the situation unfolds.
