Maryland forecast calls for weekend temperatures in the 60s, with showers possible Friday night

A brief warm-up follows a cooler Thursday across much of the state

Maryland is expected to see a notably milder stretch heading into the weekend, with daytime highs climbing into the 60s across large portions of the state after a cooler Thursday. Forecast outlooks for the Baltimore and Washington metropolitan areas indicate a transition from afternoon highs in the 50s on Thursday to warmer conditions by Friday and Saturday.

For the Baltimore region, the outlook projects Thursday highs near the lower 50s, followed by highs around the lower 60s on Friday and mid-60s on Saturday. For the Washington metro area, the same outlook points to highs in the upper 60s on Friday and Saturday. The warming trend is expected to be accompanied by an increased chance of rain late Friday into Friday night.

Timeline: warmer days, then a rain window late Friday

The primary rain risk in the near-term forecast is concentrated from Friday afternoon into Friday night. Scattered showers are expected to develop Friday afternoon, with a higher likelihood of showers Friday night. Winds are projected to increase Friday afternoon, with gustier conditions possible as the weather system moves through.

Saturday is expected to turn mostly sunny again, keeping temperatures in the 60s across central Maryland. Overnight lows are forecast to remain in the 40s, limiting the risk of frost during the weekend nights in the Baltimore-area forecast zone.

• Thursday: Mostly sunny; highs generally in the 50s.

• Friday: Warming into the 60s; showers possible in the afternoon, more likely at night.

• Saturday: Mostly sunny; highs in the 60s.

• Sunday: Continued mild; temperatures broadly remain above typical late-winter readings.

Regional differences: urban corridors warm fastest, higher terrain stays cooler

While 60-degree highs are expected to be common across the I-95 corridor and adjacent suburbs, conditions can vary by elevation and proximity to the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic waters. Typically, western Maryland’s higher elevations trend cooler than central Maryland, while coastal influences can moderate temperature swings nearer the water. The latest outlooks emphasize the warmest readings in the most urbanized lowland areas, with more tempered warmth farther west.

What to watch: changing rain timing and early-spring variability

Forecast confidence is highest in the overall warming pattern and the late-Friday rain window, while the exact timing and coverage of showers can still shift as the system approaches. Residents planning travel or outdoor events are likely to encounter the most favorable conditions during the day Saturday, with the most weather-related interruptions more likely from Friday afternoon through Friday night.

The weekend warm-up fits a broader pattern of rapid temperature swings common in March, when strong fronts can move through quickly and change conditions within a day.