Baltimore residents are bracing for a mix of weather patterns as the holiday week progresses. According to the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC, a warm front is currently approaching from the southwest and will be followed closely by a cold front tonight, potentially disrupting post-Christmas travel plans.
Forecasters have predicted showers spreading eastward through the morning, although thunderstorms from Ohio are expected to weaken on their journey. The high temperature will be a spring-like feel in the 50s to lower 60s, a pleasant respite for this time of the year. Nevertheless, most places except central Virginia and the southern Shenandoah Valley will fall below freezing overnight, so be prepared to bundle up once the sun sets.
Moving into Friday, a shortwave trough and surface low from the west is projected to introduce a downward trend in precipitation amounts for the Baltimore area. Some model guidance even has very little precipitation across the southern half to three-quarters of the forecast area as the low transfers off the coast, the forecast discussion notes, providing some hope for drier conditions than initially expected. Yet, residents in northeast Maryland are advised to stay vigilant as sleet and freezing rain remain possibilities, particularly along the eastern slopes of the Allegheny Front in western Maryland, which faces a potential quarter inch of ice accumulation.
Cloudy skies and occasional drizzle might characterize Saturday as high pressure builds back in from the north. While some areas southwest of US Route 33 could see mid and upper 50s temperatures with some sun breaks, the rest of the region will likely experience 40s and upper 30s under the greyscale canvas of winter clouds. As the week concludes, another front is anticipated to make its way through in the middle of the next week, constantly reminding us that winter has yet to settle fully in.
In terms of aviation, flyers might see brief bouts of MVFR ceilings, though dry conditions are expected this afternoon as winds shift to the west and northwest, and pilots can anticipate gusty northerly winds post-cold front. As for the seafarers, there's a Small Craft Advisory taking effect this evening until the early hours of Friday for most of the Chesapeake Bay and lower tidal Potomac River, with gale conditions also possible in the aftermath of Sunday's strong cold front.
Marylanders should remain attentive and flexible as they navigate the shifting weather throughout this eventful holiday week, using the valuable guidance and updates provided by forecasters and weather experts.
