Monday started on a brisk note in Baltimore, with the city waking up to about 47°F under mostly clear skies as a chilly, dry airmass settled in. Forecasters are calling for a daytime high near 55°F, with only a slight, roughly 20% chance of spotty rain showers. Northwest winds are expected around 7–14 mph, with gusts up to about 21 mph, so it will feel cooler than the numbers suggest. The headline, though, is what happens tonight, as a Freeze Warning sets up early Tuesday that could damage tender plants and unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Freeze Warning Tuesday Morning
A Freeze Warning is in effect from 2 AM to 10 AM on Tuesday, April 21, for Baltimore and much of the surrounding counties. According to the National Weather Service, take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. Temperatures away from the Inner Harbor and other heat‑retaining spots may drop to around 30–32°F, so tonight is the night to move potted plants indoors and insulate exposed spigots before midnight.
Afternoon Gusts and Fire Weather Risk
Before the freeze sets in, winds will crank up this afternoon out of the northwest, turning a cool day into a noticeably breezy one. Gusts to about 21 mph are possible in the city, with higher speeds over more exposed hills. Forecasters note an elevated fire‑weather threat in drier inland areas because low humidity and gusty winds could help any fires spread quickly, so it is a good day to skip outdoor burning and secure loose yard debris. Boaters should be ready for choppy conditions on the Inner Harbor and the upper Chesapeake, and small craft advisories are in effect for portions of the bay.
A Quick Warmup Afterward
The cold snap will be brief. Tuesday should be mostly sunny with a high near 59°F, then highs climb into the low 70s on Wednesday and the mid 70s on Thursday. Rain chances increase later in the week, with showers likely on Wednesday and a slight chance of storms Friday ahead of an unsettled weekend. We covered the earlier late‑season freeze and the week’s sharp swing in our April 8 update.
For tonight, the playbook is simple: bring potted and tender plants indoors or cover them, disconnect garden hoses, and insulate any exposed faucets before temperatures drop. It is also worth checking updated forecasts before early‑morning travel on Tuesday and watching for gusty crosswinds on bridges and other exposed routes, especially if you are on a bike.
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