Baltimore residents can anticipate a blend of weather conditions this weekend, starting with clear skies today before a potent cold front introduces heavy rain by Sunday. The National Weather Service, in its forecast, pointed out that while today will see dry conditions with minimal cloud cover and high temperatures in the 60s, Sunday's forecast contrasts starkly as we brace for heavy rain due to an advancing cold front from the Great Lakes region.
Under the eye of the high pressure system, Baltimore's already experiencing the seasonal chill with temperatures having dipped to the upper 20s to low 30s in certain areas early this morning, moisture from the south will mark a significant rise in temperature tomorrow, driving highs into the 60s to mid 70s in what could be considered an Autumn tease ahead of more typical October coolness, that is before the weekend's cold front shifts the scenery toward a wetter outlook. As per the Area Forecast Discussion, residents and visitors should be alert for potential gusty winds accompanying the Sunday rain showers, with uncertainties lingering over the timing of the frontal passage.
Looking ahead, the skies clear again by Monday, offering a brief respite with below-normal temperatures before another frontal system midweek threatens further showers, albeit more isolated due to a weaker trough and westerly flow dampening moisture accumulation; a cooler air mass is expected to settle over the region by week's end, signaling a return to the cooler climes typical of late October. The details, available through the National Weather Service, indicate that while this cold front's impact appears significant, it shan't leave a sustained mark on the region's temperatures, with more fluctuations forecast.
For those taking to the skies or the waterways, the outlook is changeable: VFR conditions prevail for aviation through Saturday, but be prepared for potential flight restrictions come Sunday, with the possibility of subVFR returning Tuesday into Wednesday following another weather system; mariners should note improved conditions today yet anticipate the return of Small Craft Advisories Sunday due to the southerly winds associated with the looming cold front, which also elevates concerns for coastal flooding, particularly in sensitive tidal regions such as Annapolis and Havre De Grace.
