Freezing cold, breezy Thursday across Maryland

A big temperature change and unsettled weather pattern are set to impact the Mid-Atlantic, including Maryland, through the long holiday weekend.

Scattered rain may end as a few flurries tonight

Bands of drizzle and light rain will move through much of the Baltimore metro and eastern shore through the early hours of Thursday morning.

As colder air moves in, a few rain showers could change over to light snow or a rain/snow mix. Any wintry weather on Thursday morning will be brief. Most will be dry by sunrise. Rain amounts will generally average around a quarter of an inch (at most) and snow accumulations are expected to be very low, if any, as well. A few slick spots cannot be ruled out during the morning commute.

A period of cold weather is ahead in Baltimore, all of Maryland

Arctic cold will blow into Maryland tonight and Thursday. An extended period of colder than normal weather is on the way.

Both Thursday and Friday afternoons will feature temperatures in the upper 20s and 30s. It'll feel like it's in the teens, with winds gusting over 30 MPH at times through Thursday afternoon. Mornings will be even colder. 

Cold weather eases just a bit ahead of another strong cold front on Saturday. Scattered rain and snow showers are expected Saturday across Maryland, ahead of the front. Right now, rain and snow accumulations looks minimal. A fresh batch of bitter cold blows in Saturday night and Sunday. There is more uncertainty than normal with Sunday's forecast. The chance of measurable snow on Sunday may be increased with future updates. Stay tuned.

Bitter cold settles in early next week. Dress warmly for any Martin Luther King Jr. Day plans. It'll feel like it's in the teens and lower 20s through the afternoon. Wind chills drop to near 0° in the metro Tuesday morning. A First Alert Weather Day is possible on Tuesday, due to the blast of abnormally cold weather.