Baltimore residents can expect a chilly weather spell ahead, as confirmed by the latest update from the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC. The region will be under the firm grip of a cold, dry air mass through Thursday morning, with high pressure asserting its influence nearby. Weather enthusiasts and the general populace alike can keep a close eye on developments through the weather service's Area Forecast Discussion.
Today's weather, setting aside the brisk morning winds that will subside as the day progresses, is shaping up to grant us mostly sunny skies. While the mercury will struggle to rise, topping out at figures well below the seasonal norms – anticipate upper 30s to low 40s in most parts, with the high country languishing in the 20s – the relatively calm conditions tonight under the high pressure may bring about a sense of deceptive tranquility. According to the National Weather Service forecast, lows will hover in the mid-20s, while teens are possible in the colder locales and higher elevations, a phenomenon not quite as welcoming on the skin.
As Thursday dawns upon us, the passage of a moisture-starved, reinforcing cold front is poised to deliver a dry brush for most, although the Alleghenies could see a few snow showers, likely impacting morning commute routines. Given the timing is likely just after sunrise, the morning commute could be impacted, a scenario that calls for an extra layer of caution on the roads. This front also brings with it a promise of blustery conditions and a surge in cloudiness reaching as far as the I-81 corridor, with a fleeting chance of flurries.
Those venturing out Thursday night will step into what is forecasted to be the coldest temperatures of the early winter season thus far. A bone-chilling descent into the teens awaits most, accompanied serenely by light wind from the north that might only swipe with intent across the highest peaks. Wind chills in the single digits below zero are likely the highest elevations will confront, whereas the silent gusts elsewhere ensure that wind chills do not significantly exaggerate the already biting cold.
In the aviation sector, the outlook is relatively serene. VFR conditions will remain thanks to the high-pressure system's influence, which is causing a gradual diminishing of winds shifting towards the west to southwest. Pilots can expect VFR clouds after 12Z Wednesday, and a general clearing is anticipated. The forecast, however, does warn of potential sub-VFR conditions Friday afternoon into the night, as a low-pressure system skirts southward, perhaps flirting with wintry mixes overhead.
Boaters in the greater Baltimore region should be aware that Small Craft Advisories remain valid through mid-morning. The passage of the aforementioned cold front on Thursday could provoke another uptick in winds, again raising the specter of Small Craft Advisory conditions. After which, lighter southerly winds on Friday and a directional shift to the northwest on Saturday are expected, settling below Small Craft Advisory criteria.
