Sail250 visitors should prepare for a soggy weekend with expected thunderstorms

Before Sail250’s tall ships really have a chance to steal the spotlight in Baltimore this weekend, thunderstorms may try to rock the boat.

The National Weather Service reported that showers and thunderstorms will begin to arrive Friday afternoon with the most widespread rain coming through tonight into Saturday.

Meteorologist Dan Hofmann said gusty winds and downpours could start at around 4 p.m. this afternoon, but you can expect a break in the mid-evening hours.

Scattered showers and a few rumbles of thunder will develop overnight, paving the way for a stormier Saturday.

The storms aren’t expected to be especially severe, but they’ll still pack lightning, thunder, and periods of heavy rain that could disrupt outdoor plans. Exciting as this weekend’s Sail250 may be, it’s best to wait out the bad weather indoors.

“Any time there’s lightning and thunder, we recommend heading inside, even if the storms are kind of run-of-the-mill,” said Hofmann.

Though there is a cold front expected to travel through the area, Hofmann said it is on the weaker side, and temperatures will remain in the mid-80s to low 90s — similar to what they’ve been all week.

Luckily, the entire weekend won’t be ruined. Sunday’s forecast is 87 degrees and partly sunny. Hofmann predicts the chances of rain will be between 5 and 10%, and mostly in the southwest region of the city.