Dangerously cold in Maryland Tuesday, ahead of possible weekend winter storm
Rounds of bitter cold and occasional chances of winter weather are in the forecast over the next week or two in Maryland.
The first round of bitter cold has prompted a Tuesday First Alert Weather Day due to dangerously cold morning wind chills.
Bitter cold temperatures Tuesday
Tuesday will be brutally cold all day with morning wake-up wind-chills around 0° to 5° in Baltimore. It'll feel like it's below zero through sunrise in parts of northern Maryland. Please make sure you and loved ones dress warmly with plenty of layers throughout the day Tuesday.
Even during the afternoon hours, it'll feel like it's in the mid-teens. Actual temperatures peak in the 20s. There will be tons of sunshine.
Briefly warmer weather returns to Baltimore
After a bitterly cold start to Wednesday, temperatures warm into the upper 30s and lower 40s on Wednesday afternoon. A brisk wind will continue to blow.
Thursday should turn out to be the nicest day of the week. Expect sunshine along with afternoon temperatures approaching 50°. Enjoy this short-lived break while it lasts. Another powerful hit of arctic air is on the way. Friday turns colder through the day with temperatures peaking around 40°. Temperatures will tumble late Friday. By Friday evening, temperatures will be in the low to mid-20s, with a breeze. Saturday begins with frigid weather, ahead of a developing winter storm.
Near-record cold certain, snow possible this weekend in Maryland
The WJZ First Alert Weather Team is tracking the potential for a weekend winter storm along with some bitterly cold temperatures. Saturday and Sunday are possible First Alert Weather Days.
The overall weather pattern and data from computer models continue to suggest a very cold and stormy weekend across much of the southern and eastern U.S. However, the exact track of any winter storm will determine how impactful it is to Maryland. We will have plenty of cold air in place, so any precipitation that does fall will probably fall as snow.
There is the potential for a significant amount of snow Saturday into Sunday, depending on the exact track of the storm.
There is a great deal of uncertainty regarding the exact track of this winter storm. This is typical several days out. There are a few scenarios where Maryland sees significant snow. However, one way that we would dodge a significant winter storm is if the storm remains suppressed and well south of our area.
Either way, extreme cold will be an issue for the weekend. Afternoon temperatures will only top-out in the upper teens and lower 20s. Wind-chills may dip below 0°. For this reason, the WJZ First Alert Weather Team has tagged Saturday and Sunday as possible First Alert Weather Days due to the extreme cold and potential of a winter storm.
The entire WJZ First Alert Weather Team will be updating the weekend forecast through the week. Keep a closer than normal eye on the forecast. Disruptive, possibly dangerous weather is expected this weekend.
