Baltimore started Sunday, June 28, on the sticky side, waking up to muggy, foggy air and early temperatures hovering near 73°F. Patchy fog and a 30 to 40 percent chance of light showers will hang around through the late morning. Later, there is a slight chance of showers and a few isolated thunderstorms, mainly between about 2 and 4 p.m. The high should land near 83°F with light northeast winds and generally small rain totals.
Morning Commute
Drivers and cyclists will want to take it slow this morning. Visibility may be reduced on low-lying streets, bridges, and along the Harborfront, and any brief downpour could leave roads slick. Forecasters are watching a weak frontal boundary and an eastward-moving disturbance that could trigger heavier, localized downpours in a few spots, so building in some extra travel time is a smart play, according to the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington.
Afternoon Outlook
The better shot at stronger storms looks to be over the western and southwestern parts of the forecast area. In the city itself, the more likely scenario is scattered, quick-hitting showers or just a mostly cloudy afternoon. Any storm that does roll through could bring a short burst of heavy rain and some gusty winds, although most neighborhoods are still expected to see less than one-tenth of an inch of new rainfall. If you have outdoor plans, build in a little flexibility between about 2 and 4 p.m. for a possible brief delay.
Heat Risk Next Week
Today’s humidity is just the warmup. Early next week, an upper-level ridge is forecast to build in and crank the heat, with afternoon highs climbing into the upper 90s and lower 100s by midweek and heat indices pushing into the 102 to 108°F range in parts of the I-95 corridor. Baltimore City has already kicked off its Code Red extreme-heat season and says cooling centers and select library locations will open on Code Red days. Residents without reliable air conditioning are urged to call 311 for help finding a place to cool off, according to the Baltimore City Health Department.
What To Do
For today, leave a little earlier than usual, watch for fog on your route, and keep a light rain jacket or umbrella handy for pop-up showers. Looking ahead to next week’s heat, plan to avoid strenuous activity during the midday and afternoon hours, drink plenty of water, check on neighbors and older relatives, and make use of cooling centers if your home does not stay safely cool.
