Sunday is the main weather concern for Baltimore's holiday weekend: rain is forecast to begin after 8 a.m. Sunday, with minor coastal flooding possible in sensitive locations. Friday and much of Saturday look like the better outdoor window; Friday starts in the low 50s and reaches near 74 under dry skies, while Sunday is forecast to bring showers and a high near 70.
The Better Outdoor Window Comes Before Saturday Night
Friday looks sunny and dry. Temperatures will climb steadily through the morning before leveling off in the mid-70s during the afternoon.
Saturday is expected to stay dry but mostly cloudy, with a high near 74 degrees and light easterly winds. It offers another opportunity for outdoor plans before rain is expected to begin after 8 a.m. Sunday.
Sunday Rain Could Disrupt Travel And Events
Rain is expected after 8 a.m. Sunday. Sunday has a 60% chance of precipitation. The day is forecast to stay cloudy, with rain showers and a high near 70 degrees.
This outlook is wetter than an earlier Hoodline forecast, which gave a lower rain chance and less certain timing. The weather service now expects rain showers to begin after 8 a.m. Sunday, with roughly 1 to 2 inches possible across the area and locally higher totals still on the table.
Wind And High Tides Add A Waterfront Concern
Sunday could bring peak gusts around 20 to 30 mph outside the mountains. Minor coastal flooding could develop Sunday evening in sensitive locations as east to southeast winds strengthen and tides run high. Residents near low-lying waterfront areas should keep an eye on updates.
Checking Longer-Term Waterfront Flood Exposure
For longer-term flood context, Baltimore City's Department of Planning provides FEMA maps showing where flooding can occur and how high water might reach. The verified information here does not identify a specific waterfront area as having the greatest high-tide exposure, so it cannot support a ranking of neighborhoods.
A More Extreme Past Rain Event
The National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington says the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee brought more than 12 inches of rain in many locations across the region from September 6 through September 9, 2011. A rainband across Maryland on September 7 caused high-water rescues, road closures and flooded homes in parts of the state—a substantially more extreme past event than this weekend's forecast of roughly 1 to 2 inches, not a prediction of current impacts.
No watches, warnings or advisories are currently listed for Baltimore. Even so, rain, wind and reduced visibility could make Sunday a slower day for driving and outdoor events. Showers and thunderstorms may linger Sunday night before conditions begin to improve.
Showers Could Continue Into Monday
Columbus Day brings a 70% chance of rain showers and a high near 74 degrees. Monday night should turn partly cloudy and drier, setting up a partly sunny Tuesday near 73.
Next week is expected to be mostly mild and mostly dry.
