Maryland Faces 35 Degree Temperature Drop This Week as Baltimore Goes From Mid 90s to Upper 50s With 2 Inch Plus Rainfall Possible Through Memorial Day Weekend

BALTIMORE, Maryland – A stunning 35 degree temperature swing is on the way for Baltimore, Maryland this week, with temperatures running in the mid 90s over the next few days before crashing to highs in the upper 50s to low 60s by the end of the week. More than 2 inches of rain is possible across portions of the region through Memorial Day Weekend, making for an active and dramatic weather pattern through Tuesday, May 26.

The Heat Comes First: Mid 90s Through Tuesday May 19

Forecast temperatures valid at 8:00 PM Tuesday, May 19 show dangerous heat baking the mid-Atlantic region before the crash arrives:

• Baltimore, Maryland is forecast to reach 95 to 96 degrees Tuesday afternoon, with surrounding areas also seeing readings in the low to mid 90s across the region.
• Temperatures across the broader Maryland and Virginia area on Tuesday, May 19 are running in the 90 to 96 degree range, with maximums on the map reaching 97.5 degrees somewhere in the region.
• Areas further north show cooler readings of 71 to 80 degrees while the coastal zones see 88 to 94 degrees Tuesday afternoon before the cold air arrives.

The Crash: Upper 50s to Low 60s by Thursday May 21

The temperature map valid at 6:00 PM Thursday, May 21 tells a completely different story from just two days earlier:

• Baltimore and surrounding Maryland drop to temperatures in the 56 to 64 degree range by Thursday, May 21, a collapse of roughly 35 degrees from the mid 90s seen on Tuesday, May 19.
• Much of Maryland, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas fall into the 53 to 64 degree range Thursday afternoon as cold air surges in behind the departing system.
• Temperatures along the immediate coast hold slightly warmer at 62 to 67 degrees Thursday while interior locations feel the full brunt of the cold air by Thursday afternoon, May 21.
• Further south, Virginia and North Carolina retain warmer readings of 71 to 87 degrees Thursday as the cold air boundary settles across the mid-Atlantic.

Over 2 Inches of Rain Possible Through Memorial Day Weekend

Precipitation totals valid through Tuesday morning, May 26 show meaningful rainfall accumulations across the entire region:

• Baltimore and surrounding Maryland are forecast to receive 2.34 to 2.54 inches of total rainfall through Tuesday, May 26, with some localized areas pushing closer to 2.63 inches during this period.
• Virginia and portions of West Virginia show totals of 1.72 to 2.30 inches through May 26, with the heaviest totals concentrated across central and northern portions of the state.
• Areas further north across Pennsylvania show totals of 1.27 to 1.65 inches through Tuesday, May 26.
• Coastal areas see lighter totals of 0.84 to 1.38 inches through Memorial Day, while interior Maryland and Virginia carry the heaviest rainfall totals through the end of the month.
• Memorial Day Weekend is specifically flagged as part of this active pattern, meaning outdoor holiday plans across Maryland and surrounding states face a real threat of rain through the weekend.

What a 35 Degree Temperature Drop Means for Your Body and Home

Going from mid 90s to upper 50s in roughly 48 hours is a significant physiological and practical shock. Anyone who has been running air conditioning through the heat of Tuesday, May 19 will need to switch to heat by Thursday, May 21. People who have been spending extended time outdoors in 90 plus degree heat should be cautious about the rapid cool down and dress in layers as temperatures fall through Wednesday, May 20. The combination of heavy rain, rapidly falling temperatures and an active storm pattern makes this one of the most dramatic week-long weather setups seen in Maryland this spring.

Memorial Day Weekend Outlook for Baltimore

The active pattern is expected to continue right through Memorial Day Weekend, with over 2 inches of rain possible across Baltimore and Maryland through Tuesday, May 26. Forecasters note this is not a great outlook for beach plans, but the region needs the rainfall. If you are planning outdoor Memorial Day events across Maryland, have a backup indoor plan ready and monitor the forecast closely as the weekend approaches.

WaldronNews.com will continue tracking this 35 degree temperature crash and 2 inch plus rainfall pattern across Maryland and will provide updates as the cold air arrival timing and Memorial Day Weekend rain totals develop through Tuesday, May 26.