Unusually warm weather, greater risk of wildfires in Maryland this week

Temperatures remain unusually warm across much of the southeast and east coast through tomorrow. Heat eases heading into the weekend, ahead of much cooler weather next week. 

BWI-Marshall airport set a new record high temperature this afternoon. The previous record was 88°, set in 1941. BWI has topped-out at 91°

Under a few clouds, temperatures will slowly cool through the 70s and back into the 60s overnight. Near-record warm morning temperatures are in the forecast. 

Hot and mostly dry weather continues across Baltimore

Following an abnormally warm start, record high temperatures are likely again Thursday afternoon across much of Maryland. 

Temperatures quickly warm into the 80s by late morning. More record highs will likely fall Thursday afternoon. The record high at BWI for April 16 is 90°, set back in 2012. The First Alert Weather Team is forecasting a high of 92°. 

Thursday will be the last day of 90° heat for the foreseeable future. Despite the record heat Wednesday and Thursday, relative humidity levels will stay low, which will make the heat more tolerable.   

The ongoing moderate drought conditions, combined with a gusty breeze, hot temperatures and plunging afternoon relative humidity levels, will lead to an increased risk of brush fires Wednesday through Saturday. 

Outdoor burning is discouraged. Be aware that certain towns and counties may implement burn bans due to the tinder-dry and hot weather conditions. 

Greater chance of rain moves into Maryland this weekend

While the unseasonable warmth continues Friday into Saturday, the weather will not be nearly as hot as earlier in the week. Temperatures peak in the lower 80s both afternoons. A few showers and storms are possible on Friday. Though most places will remain rain-free Friday afternoon and evening. 

Saturday is the WJZ First Alert Weather Team's pick of the weekend. Expect a lovely weather day with a blend of sunshine and clouds. Temperatures warm into the lower 80s on Saturday afternoon. A few showers and storms could move into Maryland on Saturday evening, ahead of a much cooler Sunday.

Sunday's weather is trending cooler, breezy, and possibly wetter. Showers will develop sometime between midday and early afternoon. The shower chance will quickly end by Sunday evening. Despite needing an umbrella for parts of Sunday, rainfall amounts are looking light. Most neighborhoods will pick up less than 0.10" of rain. 

Blustery and much cooler weather returns Sunday night into Monday. Despite plenty of sunshine on Monday, high temperatures may struggle to reach 60° with a blustery and cool wind much of the day. Tuesday morning will be cold, with temperatures in the 30s. 

We'll have to keep an eye on Monday night to see if winds relax enough for areas of patchy frost to form Tuesday morning.