Maryland — Cold air hangs low over the harbor as wind ripples the water and crunches frost underfoot. Breath shows clearly this morning. Gloves feel mandatory. The Mid-Atlantic remains locked in a stubborn winter pattern as Arctic air refuses to budge across Baltimore, Washington, and the surrounding suburbs.
The National Weather Service has issued a Cold Weather Advisory for much of Maryland, Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia through late morning, with another advisory returning tonight into Thursday. Early temperatures sit near 20 degrees in Baltimore, while wind chills dip into the single digits at times, especially before sunrise.
Commuters across I-95, I-83, the Baltimore Beltway, and the Capital Beltway should watch for slick patches. Any melting during the day can refreeze quickly after sunset, creating flash-freeze conditions on bridges, ramps, and untreated roads. Sidewalks and parking lots may appear dry but hide thin ice.
By afternoon, sunshine offers limited relief. Highs struggle into the lower 20s, keeping exposed pipes, pets, and outdoor workers at risk. Officials urge residents to dress in layers, limit time outside, and check on vulnerable neighbors. Portable heaters should be used carefully indoors.
Looking ahead, the cold remains persistent through Friday. Overnight lows drop back into the single digits, reinforcing icy mornings. Meteorologists are also monitoring a slight winter storm threat from Friday into Sunday. If moisture arrives as expected, light snow or a wintry mix could disrupt travel across the I-95 corridor and the broader DMV.
This cold pattern ties back to the Great Lakes, now nearly half frozen. That ice cover helps reinforce Arctic air across the Midwest and East, slowing any meaningful warm-up.
Beyond the weekend, longer-range outlooks suggest precipitation chances ease next week, while temperatures gradually moderate into early February.
Five-Day Outlook for Baltimore, Maryland / Washington, D.C.
Today: Mostly sunny, high near 21
Tonight: Clear, low near 9
Thursday: Sunny, high near 22
Friday: Mostly sunny, high near 20
Saturday: Partly sunny, high near 18, snow possible late
