As the cold season presses on in Baltimore, the National Weather Service is keeping an eye out for a series of quick weather changes slated to hit the area. Their latest forecast discussion points to a persistent Canadian high-pressure system that’s camped over the region, which is expected to maintain its grip through this afternoon. As residents bundle up against the chill, the National Weather Service predicts a modest increase in temperatures as winds shift southerly later today.
For all those early risers in the Mid-Atlantic, the night brought a significant drop in humidity, with dew points plunging by 20 to 30 degrees, resulting in some areas experiencing single-digit readings. The temperatures didn’t dive as severely in the urban areas due to cloud cover and winds keeping the mercury a touch higher, according to the National Weather Service. Not one to sneak quietly into the week, the weather is set to liven up as a clipper system zooms in on Wednesday, followed by another cold front immediately on its heels the next day. And just in time for the weekend, Baltimorians are being teased with the promise of yet another brisk frontal visit by late Friday night.
Now, if you’re daydreaming of winter wonderlands, the forecast heading into Wednesday might awaken your interest. There's a cocktail of rain and snow expected to grace the Alleghenies at the break of dawn, a transition to pure snowfall as temperatures drop. Warnings are not just limited to partridge-filled pear trees but extend to potential winter storms, with Winter Storm Watches in place from Wednesday morning through Thursday afternoon for parts of West Virginia. For those thinking about a jaunt through the Allegheny Mountains, double-check the conditions lest you get caught in less than merry weather.
Mariners, too, are advised to take heed, with Small Craft Advisories in effect until 6 AM this morning for the southern waters. While the waters may present a brief respite during the day, things amp up by evening with the offshore drift of the high leading to stronger southerly winds across the waves. The National Weather Service cautions that despite some gale-force winds in the column, don’t expect the air to mix it up too much with the cold water below. Into the weekend, keep a lookout for possible gales on Saturday afternoon if your plans include braving the marine scene.
For those more land-inclined individuals, it's not all storm and stress as we hover midweek, the city itself is expected to remain mostly dry. Slight chances of snow showers on Friday could bring a light dusting, with a clearer, albeit blustery Saturday on the horizon. The National Weather Service notes that while there's only a 20-40 percent chance for snow showers east of the Alleghenies, the outlook shines brighter – or rather, whiter – with more steady snow likely for the Alleghenies heading into Saturday.
