Record High At BWI: Baltimore Goes From 70F To Snow

January 12 2017 – Warm air was expected today, as as is often the case, we end up warmer than expected when there is an unseasonable surge. This was in response to a push of southerly winds ahead of a storm. The high temperature at Baltimore’s BWI soared to tie the record of 70°F set in 1890. Yes, it was warm back then too. But today is a full moon, and strange things are afoot at the Circle K (forgive the Bill and Ted’s quote). The cold front that will move through tomorrow will stall just south and another wave of Low Pressure will develop snow and ice directly overhead Saturday. This may be the one to bring snow to the central part of Maryland that missed out on the two systems last week. More on that below:

Temperature Info For January 12

70°F – High Temperature at Baltimore

1890 – Prior year this record mark was set for this date

41°F  – ‘Normal’ High Temperatures

6.0″ Snow – Top Winter Storm

70s to Snow Not Just For Denver

Think back and you may remember a winter event that came just after we had heat. It is more common than you might imagine. I am a big believer that extreme weather works like a pendulum and swings both ways in a short period of tine.  There is a lot of agreement for Saturday snow.  Here is a look at the WRF/NAM, Canadian GEM, and GFS Model maps. At this time, here is what I am think:

• It will starting in the morning, likely by sunrise for most… From south to north.
• It will be moderate to heavy at times mid day, early afternoon.
• Boundary will be hard to pin down, but warm air will a lot will battle cold air at the surface. Thew result will be a change over to sleet and freeing rain mid afternoon and evening.  Not the best day to travel.
• Totals generally in the 1 to 3 inch range… But I need to fine tune that.
• Ice may be extensive (after starting as snow) for metro Washington and northern Virginia.
• SNOW: This will hit areas that missed out on a lot of the last two system…. Baltimore and on the west side including Montgomery, Howard, Frederick Counties.
• Annapolis area could get in on the early snow of a few inches, then icing during Saturday afternoon.
• I will have more detail and a first call for snowfall map in my evening report.