Apologies to picnic lovers everywhere — Memorial Day weekend in Maryland is shaping up to be cool and wet, with multiple rounds of showers likely.
Northeast states, including Maryland, have been dealing with a serious case of weather whiplash over the last few weeks, with temperatures wildly swinging between record highs and lows, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. The ride will last through the weekend, with temperatures more typical of November replacing recent summerlike heat.
High temperatures in the 90s this week were replaced by 50s and 60s by Thursday afternoon. That cool air is likely to linger through the first half of the weekend before gradually warming Sunday into Monday.
Despite warming temperatures, any outdoor plans this weekend will likely be foiled by rain thanks to a slow-moving, frontal system, according to the latest forecasts.
"The weather on Friday and Saturday looks pretty miserable (unless you’re a thirsty plant), with persistent rain, a stiff breeze and temperatures that would be normal — if it were March," The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang wrote. "Although it will warm up, some rain could continue into Sunday before a drying trend probably follows into Monday — but even Memorial Day isn’t a lock to be completely rain-free."
On Friday, waves of showers or light rain are possible throughout the day, and a downpour may materialize around the evening commute.
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm are in store for Saturday, followed by more rain and additional storm chances on Sunday.
Memorial Day will offer little reprieve, with showers likely, mainly after 2 p.m.
The only good news is that this weekend's rainfall could slightly alleviate drought conditions in Maryland. As of Friday, most of the state was experiencing severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
"Parts of the mid-Atlantic, the Carolinas and the central Gulf Coast could pick up a couple of inches of rain (this weekend)," said AccuWeather's Lead Long-Range Forecaster Paul Pastelok. "However, more is needed."
Here's a look at the detailed forecast for the Baltimore region:
Friday: Showers, mainly after 10am. High near 63. East wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Friday Night: Showers. Low around 50. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 62. East wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Saturday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 53. East wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Sunday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Light northeast wind. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers between 11pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Monday: Showers likely, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: Showers likely, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: A chance of showers before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
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