Only December failed to reach 70 degrees
Yesterday's high of 75 degrees at BWI was no record, but it did close the loop on a year in which only one month - December - failed to reach 70 degrees at the airport.
The mid-afternoon high stopped well short of the record high of 88 degrees for the date, set in 1978. From here on out the daily record highs are all in the 80s or higher. And, truth be told, temperatures in the 60s and 70s are not unheard of at any time of year in Baltimore. The record highs for December, January and February are all in the 60s and 70s.
Still, it seemed like we visited the balmy 70s quite often in this past winter.
Jan. 7: 70 degrees
Jan. 8: 70 degrees
Feb. 6: 72 degrees
Feb. 18: 71 degrees
Mar. 4: 71 degrees
Mar. 28: 70 degrees
December, as forecast, was our coolest month of the winter, never reaching the 70s. In fact, we only touched the 60s once, on Dec. 23, when the mercury at the airport reached 63 degrees.
But, looking back at the records, last winter - 2006-2007 - saw seven days with readings in the 70s, . The high was 75 degrees on Dec. 1. Only February passed without an afternoon in the 70s. It only rose out of the 40s on four dates, making it the coldest February in 30 years. In March last year we enjoyed five dates with highs of 70 or more.
Here is a map showing yesterday's high readings around the region.
Today's forecast promises considerably cooler weather. We'll probably stick in the 50s, but with all this sunshine, it will be delightful. The gusty winds should die down and let that sun keep the edge off.
Until they do, however, we will be on the edge of a wildfire hazard. The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook, noting "near critical fire weather conditions." Although recent drizzle has dampened the brush a bit, the stiff breezes and dry air will suck the moisture out of it, making it more easily ignited. So be careful with those smokes.
The clear skies and dry air, if they last into the evening, should make for some nice stargazing. Here's this month's guide to the April night sky, from the Hubble folks.
The fine weather won't last, unfortunately. Or fortunately - we still need rain. Here are some readings from yesterday's drizzle around the region. Pretty skimpy. And here's last week's Drought Monitor map, showing continuing drought conditions in Southern Maryland and the Lower Eastern Shore.
We'll get some rain as this beautiful high moves offshore and puts us in the return flow off the ocean once again. Another low, or a series of them, will push in from the southwest, bringing us rain in Baltimore beginning Thursday night and continuing with some sort of showers into Saturday. If the forecasters are right, look for it all to clear out later Saturday and Sunday, leaving us with a decent weekend.
