Baltimore residents should brace for a notable shift in weather patterns today, courtesy of a potent cold front on its way, the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC reports. The high pressure that's kept skies clear is moving out, allowing for winds to pick up with gusts ranging from 20 to 30 knots expected this morning. As these dry conditions hold, the cold front is set to bring a significant change, climbing from the west this afternoon and bringing rain showers and potentially severe weather into the evening.
Before the front's arrival, Baltimore and the surrounding metro areas can expect high temperatures in the 70s—the high elevations will be cooler, staying in the 50s and 60s. As the cold front moves through tonight, there's a marginal risk of severe weather, which includes damaging wind gusts as the primary threat. A strong wind field aloft will yield gusty moderate to heavy rain showers tracking in a line along the front, the National Weather Service outlined. For those in the northeastern part of Maryland, the chance of an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out, with a 2 percent tornado risk cited for the region.
Following the cold front, the winds will not let up immediately. Across higher elevations, gusts between 30 and 40 knots are expected, which may prompt a Wind Advisory for areas in the Alleghenies. Once the cold front has passed, Baltimore will start Monday on a cooler note—temperatures are projected to be 10 to 15 degrees lower than on Sunday.
As the week progresses, another cold front will hit on Tuesday, offering little to no rainfall due to limited atmospheric moisture. Looking toward the latter half of the week, westerly winds will bring cooler air and breezy conditions on Wednesday and Thursday. Neither day looks to pose the threat for significant wind gusts that would necessitate any wind-related headlines, says the National Weather Service, while hinting at the possibility of elevated fire weather conditions due to the prolonged drought this fall.
Maritime activities will also feel the effects of the shifting weather. A Small Craft Advisory has been issued and is likely to carry through to at least Monday afternoon, with a possible extension into Tuesday. On the coast, particularly at Annapolis, the risk of coastal flooding from rising water levels is pronounced, necessitating a Coastal Flood Warning this afternoon into the evening.
