Residents in Baltimore and the surrounding areas should brace themselves for a mix of clouds and sunshine, with a side of dry and chill as regional weather patterns take hold. According to a forecast by the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC, high pressure from the Great Lakes will assert its presence in the area today before inching northward towards Canada come Sunday, bringing with it a stretch of dryness to mark the weekend.
Temperatures are struggling to fully rise as some parts of the mountains remain enshrouded in stratocumulus clouds, pegging lows this morning in the mid-40s, and elsewhere dipping into the frosty zone with ranges from the upper 20s to lower 40s. Frost advisories and freeze warnings are in place for some, signaling the growing season is yet to coolly conclude. As tonight unfolds, those clouds may break apart to potentially restore clear skies, though this could lead to quite the tricky temperature forecast, especially with light winds that could foster radiational cooling in those clear pockets. Expect lows to hover from the 30s to mid-40s for most.
With high pressure likely to keep its grip through the early part of the week, the sky over Baltimore will wear a shawl of mid to high-level clouds, though sunshine might filter through at times. Temperatures will refuse to budge much, hovering below the norm, with 50s and low 60s during the day and retreating to 30s to mid-40s when night falls. For Virginians to the south, there's a chance showers could crop up by Monday night, with substantial rain staying at arm's length from the Baltimore region for the time being.
Looking ahead, Baltimore can expect a spell of cooler temperatures accompanied by wet intervals stretching into the later parts of the week. Initial forecasts suggest that Tuesday might stay mostly dry with the best chance of rainfall arriving around Wednesday or Thursday. Enthusiasts of winter wonders take note: you might even see some snow dusting the higher peaks mid-week. Below normal temps for late October through the long term with highs in the 50s, said the National Weather Service, with night-time lows hanging steady in the mid 30s and low 40s, except for those sheltered western valleys.
For those taking to the skies, the high pressure should keep the flight paths clear with VFR conditions prevailing through to Monday. Pilots should prepare for light winds today and Sunday, which are expected to rotate from northwest to northeast. The maritime community had a brief stint with Small Craft Advisory conditions early this morning, but tranquil seas should prevail as high pressure ushers in lighter winds over the weekend and into the start of the week.
