Residents in and around Baltimore should brace for a blast of cold air today, as arctic high pressure moves offshore. According to the latest update from the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC, temperatures will hover nearly 10 degrees below average, making for a chilly Tuesday with highs hitting only the mid-30s to lower 40s. Wrap up warm tonight as the mercury is expected to dip further into the lower to middle 20s.
The cold isn’t planning to overstay its welcome, though, as a quick-moving wave of warmth is on the horizon. Winds will shift out of the south as high pressure sits offshore, the National Weather Service's report indicates. Wednesday’s forecast suggests a nudge in the thermometer with highs in the mid-40s north to the lower 50s south. But the relief from the cold will be short-lived with temperatures slated to tank back down into the mid-20s on Wednesday night.
Looking ahead to Thursday, dry conditions should prevail for much of the day, but a change is brewing by nightfall. An approaching cold front is expected to bring gusty showers and potentially a few isolated thunderstorms. The National Weather Service highlights the possibility of some severe weather, stating that, could be a threat for some damaging wind gusts, and an isolated tornado could not be ruled out. However, they do caution that this scenario hinges on a low probability of the required instability materializing.
The cold front will usher in another round of brisk weather, with winds remaining gusty into Friday. Despite the cooler air, temperatures will remain near to slightly above the normal range due to a zonal upper air pattern. For those setting sail, Small Craft Advisories are likely beginning Thursday afternoon with the National Weather Service forecasting southerly winds gusting 20 to 30 knots through the overnight. Mariners in the Baltimore region should prepare for choppy waters at the week's end.
Over the weekend, a brief reprieve is on the cards as high pressure slides swiftly across the area Saturday, offering more seasonable conditions. As Sunday rolls around, yet another front looks to make its presence known, though it’s yet unclear how much moisture it will pack. Stable weather may cascade into Monday, but with increasing variance among predictions, it’s good practice to keep an umbrella handy just in case the forecast takes a soggy turn.
