Baltimoreans have been treated to a rollercoaster of weather this September, with the latest forecast promising a dramatic shift from summer-like warmth to a taste of autumn chill and scattered showers. According to the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC, the city basked in unseasonably high temperatures on Friday, September 19, 2025, but a backdoor cold front is now poised to shake up the region’s weather pattern just as the weekend arrives.
Friday saw central Maryland, including Baltimore, enveloped in sunshine and warmth, with temperatures soaring well into the 80s—about 10 degrees above the typical mid-September average, as reported by local meteorologists and confirmed by WBAL Radio. "It’s at 84 downtown, 84 in Ellicott City, 81 in Frederick and 82 in Westminster," meteorologist Dalencia Jenkins noted, highlighting the broad swath of balmy conditions across the region. Some spots even flirted with the 90-degree mark, especially west of Baltimore in Frederick and Westminster. Jenkins added, "These temperatures are only going to continue to warm up a few more degrees into the later afternoon hours."
But as the sun set on Friday, so too did the city’s grip on summer. Clouds began to gather as the backdoor cold front slipped south through the region, bringing with it a noticeable shift. While the bulk of Baltimore and its immediate suburbs dodged significant rainfall, western parts of the metro area—places like Hagerstown and west of Frederick—were the most likely to see brief, spotty showers. Jenkins emphasized the limited impact: "It’s brief. It’s very light and very spotty. Nothing to cancel any plans over." This sentiment was echoed across multiple forecasts, with WBAL Radio reiterating that no major disruptions or cancellations were expected due to these showers.
For those planning to enjoy Friday night outdoors—perhaps at the Orioles game, with a first pitch at 7:05 p.m.—the weather remained cooperative. Temperatures lingered in the 80s at game time before gradually slipping into the 70s, making for a pleasant evening under partly cloudy skies. As Jenkins put it, "Perfect for getting out and about. Maybe some outdoor dining. There’s an O’s game later on, so great weather for that as well."
Saturday, September 20, marks a return to more typical September conditions, thanks to high pressure from New England nudging back into Maryland. The forecast calls for highs in the upper 70s to low 80s, with the air feeling noticeably cooler and a bit damper, particularly as onshore breezes pick up. The National Weather Service offered reassurance for most weekend plans: "Overall the weekend will be dry for most of the forecast area outside of areas west of the Blue Ridge (especially along and west of the Alleghenies) where the stalled front will reside." That means Baltimore and the Eastern Shore should remain dry, while western Maryland retains the better odds for scattered showers.
For those heading to downtown Baltimore’s Charm City Live festival on Saturday, the weather looks to cooperate. Expect dry skies, highs in the upper 70s, and a refreshing breeze off the water. As evening sets in, temperatures will cool comfortably into the 60s, creating ideal conditions for festival-goers eager to soak up the last notes of summer without the threat of rain.
Sunday, September 21, brings a further dip in temperatures as high pressure holds strong over the region. More clouds are expected, and areas around Baltimore could see pockets of drizzle or a brief light shower—particularly in the morning hours. Highs will only reach the low to mid-70s in central and northern Maryland, with slightly warmer readings possible farther south. The National Weather Service described the shift as moving "from that muggy September warmth to a cooler, drizzlier Sunday—layman's terms, it's sweater weather, folks."
On the Chesapeake Bay and tidal Potomac, mariners will enjoy sub-Small Craft Advisory conditions through late Saturday, though an uptick in easterly winds may prompt some to keep a wary eye on the wind vane. The National Weather Service cautioned that prudent captains might consider postponing their weekend voyages to avoid any sudden gusts or choppier seas as the weather pattern evolves.
The start of the new week—Monday, September 22, which also marks the first official day of fall—will see another swing in the weather pendulum. As the stalled front lifts north as a warm front, the region will experience a surge of warmer, more humid air. Scattered showers are likely Monday and Tuesday, courtesy of lingering low pressure off the Carolina coast. Highs will rebound into the upper 70s to mid-80s before yet another front midweek brings a fresh round of cooler air and the potential for more widespread rain. Meteorologists expect rain chances to increase notably on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 23-24.
For sports fans, Monday night’s Ravens vs. Lions game at M&T Bank Stadium will be played under warm and muggy conditions. Tailgaters can expect afternoon temperatures in the low 80s, with kickoff at 8:15 p.m. promising readings in the mid to upper 70s—plus a chance for a shower or two, though a washout is not anticipated. As one forecast put it, "Not a washout, but something to keep an eye on if you're planning to be outside before or during the game."
Looking ahead, the rest of the week continues the theme of variability. Highs are forecast to remain in the upper 70s and low 80s through the first half of the week, but with increasing rain chances as another front approaches. By Thursday and Friday, highs are expected to settle back into the low to mid-70s, with periodic chances for showers persisting into the weekend.
Air quality, which was less than ideal on Friday, is expected to improve as the weekend progresses and the cold front ushers in cleaner, cooler air. For those clinging to the last days of summer, the message is clear: enjoy the warmth while it lasts, because autumn’s chill and a few raindrops are waiting just around the corner.
