Baltimore woke up to a mild, mostly sunny Wednesday, with temperatures already near 71°F and a dew point sitting in the mid 50s. The city will heat up into the low 80s before storms start nosing in this afternoon, so outdoor plans are safest earlier in the day. Late in the day, expect pockets of heavy downpours and gusty winds that could briefly snarl traffic and slow the evening drive.
Afternoon Storms Possible
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are likely after 2 p.m., with the most widespread activity expected from late afternoon into early evening. According to the National Weather Service, there is about a 50% chance of precipitation this afternoon, and new rainfall amounts of a quarter to a half inch are on the table. Most storms should be your standard summer downpours, but some clusters could kick up damaging wind gusts and small hail, particularly east of the Blue Ridge and Catoctin Mountains.
Evening And Overnight
Showers and thunderstorms may linger into the night, with the heaviest action favored for the late evening and overnight hours. Temperatures will slide toward the upper 50s, and a few locations could pick up three-quarters of an inch to as much as one inch of rain tonight. Where the rain winds down, patchy fog may try to form. Behind the front, winds should turn to the northeast and generally ease, although any storms that hold together can still deliver strong gusts.
Weekend Outlook
The front is expected to stall near the region from Thursday through Saturday, keeping a daily chance of showers in play and leaving temperatures on a bit of a roller coaster. It will be cooler and cloudier near the boundary and warmer away from it. A stronger cold front is likely to move through on Sunday, bringing more widespread rain and a noticeable drop in temperatures early next week. The warm, stormy setup today is set to give way to on-and-off rain chances through the weekend before much cooler air settles in.
What This Means For Events And Commutes
Midday errands, practices, and lunch plans may dodge the worst of the storms, but anyone heading out this afternoon or tonight should plan for rain and gusty conditions. The Orioles are scheduled to play at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Wednesday, and fans should be ready for sunshine earlier in the day and a chance of showers after 2 p.m.; see MLB for start times and updates. Boaters should note that a Small Craft Advisory remains in effect through noon and check water conditions before leaving the harbor.
Enjoy the warm start, but keep a rain jacket handy and allow extra time for the evening commute. Keep an eye on the National Weather Service for any updates if you are banking on outdoor plans later today.
