Baltimore, MD: When to Go and Weather

Weather: Baltimore is situated at the mouth of the Patapsco River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The bay and the Atlantic Ocean beyond shelter the city from strong weather that blows in from the east, while the Appalachian Mountain range to the west blocks harsh winds from blowing into Baltimore from the other side. Summers are hot and humid, and winters are cold, but not overly so - when it snows, the accumulation melts almost immediately.

Summer: It's hot and sticky in Baltimore during the summer. Afternoon thunderstorms, sweeping in quickly and battering the city with strong winds and lightning, often give the city a temporary break from the highest temperatures on summer afternoons. The average temperature is 79 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 3.5 inches.

Fall: Though fall sees afternoon thunderstorms in Baltimore, much like summer, the weather is much cooler and more comfortable heading into October. The sun shines most afternoons. The average temperature is 58 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 3.2 inches.

Winter: The temperatures never get extremely cold in Baltimore, so winter precipitation is a mixture of snow and freezing rain. The gray sky seems to rain slush during this time, and although the slick sidewalks can be perilous to pedestrians, the real weather-related danger affects motorists as major highways and city roads ice over. The average temperature is 32 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 3.5 inches.

Spring: Spring may be the loveliest time of the year to visit the city. Baltimore weather at this time isn't always warm and sunny, but the temperatures are usually comfortable for sightseeing, and precipitation usually only consists of occasional spring showers. The average temperature is 68 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 3.6 inches.

Local sources for weather include the Baltimore Sun.or, if you're flipping through TV channels in a hotel room, the cable station WBALTV.

When to Go: Peak Season

When school's out and the weather's warm, Baltimore swarms with visitors - families headed to the aquarium, twentysomethings coming for the art scene, sports fans in town for an Orioles game - and hotel rates go through the roof, especially in popular areas like Inner Harbor. You'll see crowds everywhere downtown, and while it's not the most relaxed time to visit Baltimore, it's perhaps the most exciting. The summertime offering of outdoor concerts, fireworks, boat trips, sporting events, and cultural programs makes the extra expense (and braving the crowds) worthwhile. If the central hotels are too pricey, travelers can find a better rate in Baltimore's suburban areas and drive into the city for sightseeing.

When to Go: Off Season

Though Baltimore weather is fairly mild in winter compared to many cities on the East coast, the city sees the smallest number of visitors during the months of December, January, and February. Hotel rates are down at this time, and with the exception of day-tripp school groups who take over the city's museums for hours at a time, Baltimore's major sites are quiet. During the day, winter temperatures average around 43 degrees F, and an occasional snowstorm leaves a blanket of white over the harbor. You won't want to spend much time strolling the streets, but the off season is a wonderful time to enjoy Baltimore's indoor attractions and save money at the same time.

When to Go: Shoulder Season

Baltimore's shoulder season runs from April to June and again from September to November. These spring and fall months bring the most temperate weather to the city as well as fewer crowds and slightly discounted hotel room rates. During spring, the harbor is dotted with boats, the sun shines frequently, and afternoon rainstorms are the norm. During fall, the days are long and generally warm, and although baseball fans crowd the city for Orioles games on September afternoons, the temperatures are usually comfortable and city's sightseeing attractions are calmer and easier to visit at this time.

• Sun

   

  Mostly Sunny

  61  47

• Mon

   

  Showers

  54  38

• Tue

   

  Mostly Sunny

  51  37

• Wed

   

  Cloudy

  53  46

• Thu

   

  Showers

  48  34

• Fri

   

  Partly Cloudy

  41  34

• Sat

   

  Mostly Sunny

  46  36

Get more information on Baltimore weather.