Baltimore and surrounding regions braced for a variety of weather impacts Sunday, according to the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC. A reinforcing cold front swept through the area, bringing a mix of weather conditions that included sharply falling temperatures and strong winds. The forecast, as detailed by the National Weather Service, indicated that high pressure would follow on Monday and Tuesday before another system potentially affects the area later in the week.
The immediate concerns, however, were the powerful wind gusts and precipitation. As the front moved through from west to east, a line of showers was expected to hit, briefly presenting mixed rain/snow/graupel in many locations. The National Weather Service stated that temperatures would hover in the lower 40s at lower elevations ahead of the front, with wet-bulb temperatures remaining above freezing, implying no accumulation is expected at lower elevations to the east of the mountains. Despite this, visibility could be reduced for a short duration if enough snow mixed in with the rain.
For mountainous regions, such as the Alleghenies, a Winter Weather Advisory was in place with predictions of 3 to 6 inches of snow and nearly-blizzard conditions possible within heavier squalls. Wind Advisories covered parts of the region as well, forecasting gusts between 45 and 55 mph, which prompted concerns about potential power outages and hazardous driving conditions. Across the Baltimore area, wind gusts were likely to be just below advisory levels, though strong enough to warrant caution.
The second half of the week could introduce another round of weather challenges, as forecasters anticipate a possible area of low pressure tracking along the East Coast around mid-week. The details remained uncertain, but "precip seems likely to develop," and ensemble plots hinted at a possible snow threat for interior areas, along with a rain-to-snow event for cities. A southwest Atlantic upper ridge is set to flatten, allowing colder temperatures to emerge, particularly in the latter part of the week.
Aviation impacts were similarly noted by National Weather Service, with a temporary shift to IFR or lower conditions possible due to the frontal passage. Maritime conditions were also rough, with Gale Warnings in effect for the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and outlying areas. Mariners on the waters were advised to exercise caution with gale-force winds behind the front before conditions eased on Monday.
