Brace yourselves, Baltimore—it's another cold and gusty day ahead. According to the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC, mountain snow showers are set to persist throughout the afternoon as yet another disturbance sweeps through the area. Highs are going to barely make it into the low 40s east of the Blue Ridge, while the mountains are expected to stay below freezing.
For motorists, there's an advisory to watch out for slick spots until the snow showers wind down later this morning. And for those brave enough to venture out this afternoon, especially along and west of the continental divide, be ready to rapidly adjust to any snow squalls that might develop. Meanwhile, high pressure is rushing in to dry things up for Saturday with a forecast promising clear skies and the coldest temps during this stretch that are most likely tonight with mid-teens to low 20s across the area, claims the National Weather Service.
Looking slightly ahead, Saturday night could bring snow or a wintry mix back to the mountains. Uncertainty clouds the forecast regarding the exact timing of this precipitation and how quickly the dry air at the surface will relent to wetter conditions. Travelers have been advised to keep a close eye on the updates as Sunday approaches—conditions could get messy.
The long-term forecast doesn't promise much relief. Early next week points to another wintry mix, this time possibly affecting a broader region. High pressure briefly returns behind a departing cold front, the Service reports, before another low pressure system stirs up potential trouble from the Gulf towards the southeast U.S. Tuesday's morning temperatures might hover in the 20s with the most likely scenario looks to be a period of snow, sleet, and freezing rain, especially in areas west of the Blue Ridge, with a change to rain in the afternoon.
As for those taking to the skies, VFR conditions should hold steady through Saturday, but strong wind gusts throughout today could pose a challenge, with peak gusts expected to hit around 30-35 knots. By Saturday, the winds should calm, but a new storm system rolling in Sunday could bring a mix of precipitation, reducing ceiling and visibility for flights.
Waterway navigators are similarly forewarned, with Small Craft Advisories in effect through early Saturday due to harsh conditions with potential near gale force gusts. A reprieve comes with the weekend before potentially rough waters return Monday and Tuesday as a coastal low intensifies the winds once more.
