The Baltimore area can expect a sunny and warm start to the week, with temperatures set to rise into the lower 80s this afternoon, as reported by the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC. Following a cool morning, skies will stay clear, and any patchy fog developed earlier is predicted to dissipate shortly after sunrise.
The calm conditions, brought by high pressure being overhead this morning, are expected to remain until Monday. High pressure at the surface will shift offshore, causing winds to turn light out of the south, according to the National Weather Service. The onset of the week should see temperatures climbing to the upper 70s and mid-80s, with clear skies persisting into Monday night. However, sheltered valleys might encounter fog once again due to efficient radiational cooling with winds going calm tonight, which should allow temperatures to quickly drop to the dew points.
Changes to the weather pattern are on the horizon as the National Weather Service forecasts an approaching cold front from the northwest by midweek. The agency indicated that an upper trough and associated cold front at the surface begin to approach from the northwest, with increasing clouds on Tuesday, anticipating the showers that are likely to hold off until after dark for most of the area. Nonetheless, the Potomac Highlands and Alleghenies may see showers by the afternoon hours of Tuesday.
This impending system heralds a soggy Wednesday, with the region expecting measurable precipitation by early Wednesday afternoon, with the potential for rain totals over an inch depending on the model solution, as per the National Weather Service. Storms may accompany the showers, especially in the northern parts of the region, potentially raising rain totals within any thunderstorms. There is, however, no anticipated flooding as the rain is considered beneficial in nature for the moderately to severely drought-stricken region.
In terms of impacts on aviation and marine activities, mainly VFR (Visual Flight Rules) conditions are expected to be prevalent, except for potential fog formation affecting early morning flights. Marine conditions will also remain below Small Craft Advisory levels into Tuesday, though winds might pick up post Tuesday. The National Weather Service cautions that Small Craft Advisory-level winds will be possible behind a frontal passage on Wednesday through Thursday. Meanwhile, tidal anomalies at Annapolis continue to evoke attention, although no coastal flooding is currently predicted.
