Friday December 21 2018

We start a brand new season today but have the same old rainy weather. The irony on this first day of winter is that temperatures for most of our region have been in the 60s since midnight. So while this Winter Solstice brings us the shortest daylight of the year, we have clouds and rain, but it is warm. The heavy rain has prompted many flood warnings this morning and the flood watch lasts today with more showers through tonight. The winds could gust over 40 mph not only to keep us warm, but then with the colder air tonight.

Morning Temperatures

Despite many areas with temperatures in the 60s, I would advise the kids to NOT wear shorts to school. Strong winds and rain won’t make it feel so nice.

Oh, and the mountains of western Maryland will turn to heavy snow with up to 3 inches by Saturday morning. West Virginia ski areas will get between 4 and 8 inches of fresh powder to kick off the holiday weekend. See that in the storm timeline below.

Local Weather Stats For December 21 in Baltimore

The Winter Solstice today!

Average High: 44ºF

Record High: 71ºF in 2013

Average Low: 27ºF

Record Low: 5ºF in 1942

*Record Snow: 4.3 in 1962

Sunrise: 7:22 AM

Sunset 4:46 PM

*Daylight = 0:03 shorter than yesterday

*Bay Water Temperature = 43ºF at Thomas Pt. Light House

Rain Record Update (Through last night)

Winter Solstice

At 5:23 PM the Winter Solstice means the sun will be on the Tropic of Capricorn 23.5º S AND the North Pole will be facing farthest away from the sun. On the bright side (literally), we will gain more daylight each day during winter. At first it will only be a few more seconds per day, but you will notice it by early January.

Seasons

Perhelion: Ironically, Earth will be closest to the sun on January 3rd 2019. The difference between this and aphelion, the farthest distance in July is only about 3 million miles. It does not impact our temperatures.

Storm Set Up

Satellite Loop

The circulation in the south is responsible for our long wave jet pumping moisture north over our region

Radar Loop

Look how fast those rain bands are moving. While we have wind gusts over 30 mph at the surface, the winds at cloud level are over 70 mph

Rain Timeline –> slider

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Tonight

Mountain Snow

Winds

Temperature Timeline

Noon

Afternoon

Evening

Temperature Outlook

The weekend will be dry. A small chance for rain/snow across the region on Monday.

Christmas Temperatures will be chilly and the trend after the next storm will be followed by much colder air into the new year.

Snow Day Kit

Our ritual the night before a storm is finally in one kit. Maybe if more Maryland kids had this, the storm would reach us 🙂

This includes a very soft raglan Tee printed inside out with #FITF AND the check list, #FITF spoon for under your pillow, ice cube tray with snowflake shapes, chalk, a #FITF wrist-band, a mini SnowStix, and a bag to carry it all in.
New Orders are likely to be delivered after the holiday.
This will also help us give a free Snow Day Kit to each of the Just In Power Kids.