Baltimore residents can expect a bit of a weather roller coaster in the coming days, with everything from fog and rain to a potential winter storm on the horizon. According to the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC, we're starting with cloudy and rainy conditions today and Friday due to a stalled front nearby. There could be a steady pour this afternoon into tonight, and those around north/northeast MD should be on the lookout for some pesky dense fog advisories this morning.
The temperature is going to be a bit of a toss-up today. The Weather Service notes it's a tricky forecast since the frontal boundary's placement will dictate whether you're in the low 40s or the low-to-mid 50s. Friday isn't bringing much relief, as rain is expected to persist through the morning. A stronger cold front in the afternoon promises to finally dry things out a bit, but not before some areas potentially get upper 40s temperatures while others could reach the low to mid 60s.
Looking ahead to the weekend, that's when things might really start to get interesting. The latest ensemble models suggest to possibly brace for some snow Sunday into Sunday night. However, there's still a lot of uncertainty around this, with the National Weather Service stating, "the spread remains quite large with many ensemble members indicating little to no snow, while others do show significantly higher amounts." Therefore, all bets are off until we get a clearer picture in the next couple of days.
For aviation, IFR to LIFR conditions are expected later today as the rain moves in, with some improvement predicted by Friday afternoon. Over the weekend, though, aviators should watch out for potential restrictions, with a coastal low that might change rainfall to snow, alongside gusty winds—depending on what path it decides to take. Mariners, on the other hand, should have favorable conditions up until Sunday when a low-pressure system could kick up winds and a rain/snow mix. As for coastal dwellers, you might want to keep an eye on the tide; there's a chance for some minor tidal flooding Friday into Saturday.
In brief, Baltimore is in for a damp couple of days before winter, maybe, just maybe, gives us a late-season surprise. Don't pack away those snow boots just yet, and keep an umbrella handy for now.
