January 20, 2025
Monday morning report
Our recent snow has come and gone, with a boom inland and a decline in metro areas. While Baltimore only got 1 inch at the BWI, 2 inches fell in the city and up to 6 inches inland. I’ll have a full recap and write down my predictions later this morning.
The net result of a little or a lot of snow is simply this: everything that was wet and untreated is now icy! We are in a deep freeze and it will get colder and colder. A new Cold Weather Advisory goes into effect this evening for the entire region as wind chills will fall well below freezing. We will stay below zero all week!
“Influence” of the polar vortex: the actual circulation will be in Canada and bring the coldest air Wednesday morning; so we will modify a little but stay cold on the weekend
This cold air is fueling a rare snowstorm in Texas and the Gulf Coast. This will include heavy snow from Houston to New Orleans and an ice storm in northern Florida. More on this below.
Winter weather alerts
- The old man Winter Storm Warning stay in the mountains this morning.
- Cold weather warning comes into play tonight. This is a new alert that replaces previous wind chill alerts. “Like” temperatures can drop as low as -5F in metropolitan and coastal areas. Down to -15F in the mountains.
Morning temperatures and wind chill
Morning surface weather
The Polar Air dominates as expected. Our old storm is heading east from Maine.
A new storm will make headlines this week on the Gulf Coast.
Snow and ice will affect the Deep South Tuesday and Wednesday.
Storm animation
From Monday evening to Wednesday evening
Snow and ice storm in the south
Winter weather alerts
The Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Houston and New Orleans. Today, more alerts will extend to northern Florida.
These areas DO NOT have snow removal equipment. So unless equipment arrives from other places to help, it will remain for days.
Texas Snapshot
Yes, models show 4 to 8 inches of snow near Houston and an ice storm for Corpus Christi.
Louisiana Snapshot
Yes, the Canadian model shows between 6 and 10 inches of snow at the edge of Lake Charles. The 3 to 6 inch range is possible for New Orleans.
Florida Wednesday
FREEZING STORM: Northern Florida and southern Georgia could see more than 1 inch of freezing rain and up to 2 inches of sleet.
This, added to the cold, will damage citrus crops.
Local weather
CLIMATE DATA: Baltimore
TODAY January 20
Sunrise at 7:22 a.m.
Sunset at 5:14 p.m.
Normally low in Baltimore: 25ºF
Record of -3ºF in 1994
Normal high temperature in Baltimore: 43ºF
Record 71°F in 1951
Seasonal snow in Baltimore
8.9″ (this will change today)
TUESDAY WEATHER
Extremely cold temperatures and wind chills. There could also be a few snow showers inland.
Morning
Afternoon
Outlook of the week
The Jet Stream will be dominated by the thrust of Polar Air. The true polar vortex will be in Canada, but will be dislodged to influence the ENTIRE eastern United States.
This could produce snow on the Gulf Coast, and we need to watch for something trying to slide down the Mid-Atlantic or Southeast coast.
Jet Stream: Tuesday to Saturday
The core of cold air will pass through Wednesday morning:
Wednesday morning temperatures
Locally close to zero with -10s in the mountains.
Freeze will reach the Florida Panhandle in 10 and 20 seconds.
Storm animation (Canadian model)
Wednesday to Friday
Snapshot Thursday afternoon
We need to monitor our coast for a little snow to perhaps cut off the beaches.
Special Olympics Maryland Super Dive
This is the second year that I have done 24 dives in 24 hours. It starts this Friday.
There may be ice in the Bay…and I’ll show you.
Please support my team’s goal by clicking here.
7 day forecast
It’s dangerously cold for a few days!
Gradual warming trend by this weekend… until near liberation.
I expect ice to form in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay.
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SNOW REPORTS THIS SEASON
Click on the maps for this full report.
Snow report for January 11
Snow report for January 6
Previous snow
Snow report for November 22
SEE ALSO
Arctic outbreak for January
If you missed it, here’s my detailed report from December 30th on why this IS A BIG DEAL!
MY WINTER OUTLOOK
My Winter Outlook Report
FITF equipment for sale
In case you missed this
The origin story of Faith In The Flakes from December 5
Share your thoughts and your best weather photos/videos, or simply stay in touch via social media.
PLAN A ROD ASSEMBLY BASED ON WEATHER
Severe Weather: Smart Storm in October and next spring FITF (Faith in the Flakes) Winter Weather: November through March Click to learn more and submit a request for your school.
THANK YOU:
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Maryland Trek 11 Day 7 completed Saturday, August 10
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The annual event: Hike and bike 329 miles in 7 days from The Summit of Wisp to Ocean City.
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REPRESENT MY MESSAGE ON DYSLEXIA
I am aware that there are some spelling and grammatical errors and other occasional issues. I take responsibility for my mistakes and even computer problems that I might miss. I’ve made a few public statements over the years, but if you’re new here you may have missed it: I have dyslexia and discovered it during my sophomore year at Cornell University. That didn’t stop me from getting my degree in Meteorology and being the first to get the AMS CBM in the Baltimore/Washington area. One of my teachers told me that I had come this far without knowing it and that I should not let this be a crutch for the future. It was Mark Wysocki, and he was absolutely right! I miss my mistakes in my own proofreading. The autocorrect spell check on my computer sometimes does an injustice and makes the situation worse. I can also make mistakes in the forecasts. No one is perfect at predicting the future. All maps and information are accurate. “Wordy” stuff can get sticky. No editor can check my work while writing and ready to send in a newsworthy schedule. Barbara Werner is a member of the web team who helps me maintain this site. She has taken it upon herself to edit typos when available. This could be AFTER reading this. I accept this and perhaps prove that what you read really comes from me… It’s part of my charm. #FITF
