Monday morning's forecast from the National Weather Service looked pretty dire - with predictions for highs in the 90s right through the weekend. But the models and the maps look a little more hopeful today. While we're still looking at some average to slightly above-normal temperatures, it looks like we will be well clear of the 90s by by the weekend.
Relief will come in the form of a "backdoor" cold front. Clockwise circiul;ation around high pressure over New England Thursday will shove cooler, moist marine air our way from the north and east, if forecasters are correct. That will drop our daytime highs from the mid- to upper-90s where they are today and Wednesday, to the mid- to upper 80s.
That's still a few degrees above the long-term averages for Baltimore at this time of year, which are now descending through 86-degree mark from the mid-July high of 88 degrees. But it will be a noticeable and welcome change.
The front will also bring our first decent chance for some showers and thunderstorms Thursday and Friday. Another front due in from the west early next week should bring additional chances for some precipitation.
In the meantime, we're looking at highs well into the 90s Tuesday and Wednesday. Baltimore City's Health Department has declared a Code Red Heat Alert for Tuesday, opening cooling centers across the city:
"Each center will have cool air, water and ice available. residents should call 311 for the latest cooling center hours before heading to the nearest one."
There is also a Code Orange air pollution forecast for today, meaning that breathing the air in Central Maryland will be unhealthy for people in "sensitive groups."
(SUN PHOTO: Barbara Haddock Taylor, August 2010)