Frosty Night Ahead; Coastal Low Brings Weekend Rain, Wind to Maryland
Maryland will see its coldest night of the season so far Thursday night as high pressure builds to the north, setting the stage for frosty mornings before a developing coastal storm brings rain and wind to the region this weekend.
Chilly Start
Clear skies and calm winds Thursday night will allow temperatures to tumble, especially north and west of Baltimore. A freeze warning is in effect for areas west of the Blue Ridge, where widespread sub-freezing temperatures are expected. Closer to the I-95 corridor, frost is more likely to be patchy due to light northeasterly breezes and urban warmth, though some colder pockets in the far northwest suburbs of Baltimore and Washington could see more widespread frost.
Friday into Saturday
High pressure slides offshore Friday, keeping skies mostly sunny across much of Maryland. Afternoon highs will stay below normal, topping out in the mid-60s for most, with cooler readings in the mountains. By Friday night, a coastal low will begin to strengthen off the Southeast U.S. coast while an upper-level system drifts across the Great Lakes. These two features will start interacting, drawing the coastal storm northward along the Carolina coast Saturday.
Forecast confidence drops heading into the weekend, as the exact track of the storm will determine how much rain and wind Maryland sees. Still, showers are likely to increase Saturday afternoon, with steadier rain possible by Saturday night.
Sunday and Monday Storm Impacts
The coastal low is expected to deepen as it moves closer to the Mid-Atlantic on Sunday, bringing widespread rain and increasing winds. Downpours may be heavy at times, though flooding isn't a top concern given ongoing rainfall deficits. Still, localized issues can't be ruled out. Gusts of 20–30 mph are likely for much of the region, with stronger 30–40 mph gusts possible closer to the Bay and the beaches. Winds on the water could be even higher during the storm's peak Sunday night into Monday.
Breezy, wet weather will likely linger into Monday before the storm slowly pulls eastward. By Tuesday, high pressure should return, bringing sunshine and more comfortable temperatures in the 60s and low 70s.
