Maryland starts the morning with damp pavement, mild air, and a gray sky that feels deceptive.
What looks routine now may turn slippery fast as winter weather edges closer.
According to the National Weather Service, a developing system brings increasing concern for wintry precipitation late Friday into early Saturday. The Baltimore and Washington region sits near a temperature boundary that could turn rain into a wintry mix at critical travel times.
Christmas Day stays relatively mild. Highs climb into the lower 50s, and light rain remains the primary issue during the morning and midday hours. Roads stay mostly wet, not icy, and travel disruptions remain limited.
That pattern shifts Thursday night. Colder air slips south, dropping temperatures toward the upper 20s. By Friday, precipitation chances rise sharply. Rain may mix with sleet or freezing rain during the afternoon, especially north and west of downtown Baltimore.
Meteorologists are now tracking the timing closely. Even brief freezing rain can glaze roads, bridges, and overpasses. Accumulations look light, but impacts can still be significant. Less than an inch of snow or sleet is expected, yet ice is the main concern.
Conditions may deteriorate quickly after temperatures dip below freezing. Wet pavement could flash-freeze after sunset. Drivers should plan extra time Friday evening and remain alert for sudden slick spots, particularly on elevated roadways and untreated surfaces.
Saturday improves gradually. Rain chances linger early, but temperatures rebound into the low 40s. Any leftover slick areas should ease by midday, though clouds remain.
To be fair, this is not shaping up as a major winter storm. Still, timing matters. The combination of holiday travel and marginal temperatures increases risk.
This setup reflects a broader Mid-Atlantic trend. Snow and ice threaten areas farther north, while Maryland balances between rain and winter weather during the first week of winter.
5-Day Outlook for Baltimore, MD:
- Today: Increasing clouds, high near 50
- Christmas Day: Chance of rain, high near 51
- Thursday: Partly cloudy, colder, high near 36
- Friday: Wintry mix possible, high near 36
- Saturday: Chance of rain early, high near 42
