Friday forecast: Windy with sleet, rain and snow

A myriad of precipitation is expected in the Baltimore area Friday as two weather systems converge and barrel toward New England, where a historic snowfall is expected.

Precipitation was forecast to start as a wintry mix of rain and sleet overnight Thursday and into early Friday morning, with temperatures in the mid- to upper-30s. By midday, temperatures are expected in the lower 40s, turning any precipitation into rain.

But when temperatures drop down back into the mid-30s overnight Friday into Saturday, precipitation could turn to snow.

The National Weather Service was forecasting an inch or less of snow accumulation across the region, according to weather service forecast maps. The snowfall was expected between Friday evening and Saturday morning.

A winter weather advisory for Baltimore, Harford and Howard counties and Baltimore City was in effect through 10 a.m. An earlier advisory including Carroll and Frederick counties was canceled at 9 a.m.

Winds were meanwhile expected to pick up significantly through the day Friday. A wind advisory was in effect for Carroll, Baltimore and Harford counties and Baltimore city from 9 p.m. through 6 a.m. Saturday. Northwest winds of 15-25 mph are expected, with gusts up to 50 mph.

Winds could remain 25-35 mph for much of the day Saturday, though skies are expected to clear and winds to die down by midday as high pressure moves in. Highs are again expected in the lower 40s Saturday and Sunday, with lows in the lower to mid-30s.

Have a weather question? E-mail me at sdance@baltsun.com or tweet to @MdWeather.