Record High Forecast And Weekend Outlook

March 9- Yesterday’s high temperature reached 77°F in Baltimore, and it’s about to get warmer. One thing I have learned in 19 years forecasting in Maryland is that spring warm ups end up warmer and last longer than first thought. I made the suggestion yesterday that we could hit 80°F this week. Now I am confident. It could happen today, but definitely by tomorrow.

The High Pressure off of the southeast US coast is a summer pattern and will bring in a similar air mass. The El Nino fueled storm locking heavy rain and storms in east Texas and the deep south will not reach us. In fact, our weekend looks cooler, but better which is great news for Rock-N-Roll DC, St. Patrick’s festivities in Ocean City,  and other events.

Records we will challenge at BWI:

• Wednesday March 9: Average Hi 51°F; Record 79°F in 1964
• Thursday March 10: Average Hi 52°F; Record 77°F in 2006
• Friday March 11: Average Hi 52°F; Record 75°F in 1967

Note: June 4th is the first date on the calendar when Baltimore should reach 80°F

There is a slight chance of showers by Friday morning, but all that will do is shift the wind and bring cooler, but above average temps this weekend (60s).

Note: If you think this is extreme for March, especially since we just had snow 5 days ago, it is more common than you might imagine.

Check out these March extremes in Baltimore:

• Most snow: 21.9″ on March 29, 1942
• Hottest: 90°F on March 29, 1945
• March 16 and 17 both hit 85°F in 1945

In fact 1945 was the hottest March with 5 record highs set.

Outlook:

Storm Track