Baltimore is waking up to bright sun and a brisk northwest breeze this morning, with temperatures starting in the upper 20s and a high near 36°F expected this afternoon. West winds will gust up to 25 mph, so the commute stays blustery and dry, more of a windbreaker day than an umbrella day. Late Tuesday night, a weak system moves in with a chance of light snow after 1 a.m., although measurable accumulation in the city is unlikely. The real winter punch stays in the western Alleghenies, where advisories are up, and several inches of wet snow are possible at higher elevations.
Afternoon Gusts And The Commute
Through the afternoon, west winds of 6 to 14 mph with frequent gusts may rattle bridges and exposed routes around the city, so high-profile vehicles should use extra caution. If you have loose outdoor furniture, tarps, or trash cans, today is the day to secure them before those midday gusts really get going, and give yourself a little extra time on any open span bridges. Boaters should know that small craft conditions linger on parts of the bay through midday, so check local marine notices before you leave the dock.
Late-Night Snow Stays Mostly In The Mountains
Winter Weather Advisories are posted for the higher Allegheny slopes from 10 p.m. Tuesday through 10 a.m. Wednesday, where wet snow could stack up 3 to 6 inches above roughly 2,000 feet, according to the National Weather Service. Expect the heaviest travel issues on mountain corridors such as I‑68 west of Frostburg and the US‑219 and US‑48 routes toward West Virginia, with the potential for some downed branches or slick spots where snow briefly comes down harder. For Baltimore and the I‑95 corridor, most of the moisture stays to the west, so any late-night flakes here should be light, patchy, and short-lived.
Thursday System Could Soak The Region
A stronger low-pressure system moves through on Thursday, bringing a better shot at widespread rain and a rain-snow mix on the colder northern edge, with highs in the low to mid 40s. Forecasters expect roughly a quarter to a half inch of precipitation for many locations, with higher totals over the Alleghenies and a chance for localized runoff or nuisance flooding where snowpack melts. A southerly flow late Wednesday into Thursday could also push bay tides higher than normal and leave low-lying parts of Annapolis vulnerable to minor coastal flooding, so waterfront residents should keep an eye on tide updates.
For now, plan on a dry but blustery day and keep a decent jacket handy if you are heading outside. Check for updates before traveling, and slow down on wet or windy roads as conditions change into midweek. Baltimore residents who need shelter or cold-weather resources can find Code Blue and support information at the city's health department site, the Baltimore City Health Department. This outlook may shift as new data comes in, so follow local forecasts and transit alerts, especially if you have travel lined up for Thursday.
