Cool wind increases before rain this weekend: Storm Timeline

We are on the northern edge of a strong storm and the southern edge of High Pressure blocking that storm. The protective bubble will slowly break down allowing the rain to move in over the weekend.  This will spread rain from the south slowly on Saturday, but for the rest of us on Sunday. But before that happens, the winds will increase from the east. You will notice the clouds increasing today followed by the wind.  That combination will likely hold our weekend temperatures in the 60s, in addition to the flow of water adding to the coastal flooding threat.
This next snapshot shows mid day Saturday shows the stronger winds along the coast, with a steady 20 knots or higher. But along he bay in central Maryland, the northeast flow will average over 10 knots.  The biggest issues will be along the water.  The weather itself is a sharp contrast to the heat we’ve had this month. Plus since it is on the weekend, outdoor plans will make this more noticeable.

See the latest rip current and coastal flood advisories for the beaches and key points on the bay. The storm plus the astronomical high tide near the equinox and super moon are the reasons for the high water. Surf heigh in Ocean City today expected to reach 5 to 7 Ft. Even higher by Sunday.

On the bright side, the rain should be held in southern Maryland on Saturday. The heaviest rain overall will be farther south and along the coast. But during the evening and at night is when the push northward will begin. A good chance that rain will be in Baltimore by Sunday morning. That will impact tailgating for the Ravens home opener. If you are going to the game, pack a poncho. There could be moderate bands of rain, but overall it should be wet. The down side, despite the needed rain we will receive, the storm will block our view of the lunar eclipse Sunday night.

These two sliders below show the regional wind flow around the storm and the rain timeline for this weekend.

Wind Forecast at Mid Level

Notice the High Pressure in New England helping to increase the wind and force the rain our way.