Cold Front to Bring Rain, T-Storms, and Gusty Winds to Delmarva Late Wednesday Into Thursday

After several days of unseasonably warm weather across the Delmarva Peninsula, a strong cold front is expected to sweep through the region Wednesday night into Thursday, bringing widespread showers and the possibility of a few thunderstorms. The weather pattern will begin to turn more active by midweek as a potent upper-level trough moves east from […]

After several days of unseasonably warm weather across the Delmarva Peninsula, a strong cold front is expected to sweep through the region Wednesday night into Thursday, bringing widespread showers and the possibility of a few thunderstorms.

The weather pattern will begin to turn more active by midweek as a potent upper-level trough moves east from the central United States. As this system approaches, large-scale lift in the atmosphere will begin increasing across the Mid-Atlantic during the day Wednesday.

The first showers may begin to develop Wednesday afternoon, mainly across areas north and west of the Interstate 95 corridor. Much of Delmarva should remain mostly dry during the daytime hours, though clouds will likely increase through the afternoon.

Rain chances will increase significantly Wednesday night as the main system approaches. A surface low associated with the upper trough is forecast to track north of the region through the Great Lakes and into southern Canada. Trailing behind that system will be a strong cold front, which is expected to move through the Mid-Atlantic early Thursday morning.

As the front approaches Wednesday night, a line of showers is expected to move across the region, bringing a period of widespread rainfall. While the overnight timing should limit the potential for severe weather, forecasters say there is still a slight chance for isolated thunderstorms due to some elevated instability in the atmosphere.

In addition to the rain, winds are expected to become increasingly gusty as the system moves through. Even outside of heavier showers, a strengthening wind field in the atmosphere could lead to occasional gusts across the region late Wednesday night and into Thursday.

Behind the cold front, rain will gradually taper off during the day Thursday as colder air begins filtering into the Mid-Atlantic. A few lingering rain or even brief snow showers cannot be ruled out later Thursday as temperatures fall.

This system will mark the end of the recent stretch of spring-like warmth, with cooler conditions expected to return to the Delmarva region heading into the end of the week.