at 5:17 PM by Jacob Wilkins

Baltimore Flood Postpones MLB Game

Detroit is not the only city dealing with flooding rains today. Baltimore, Maryland has received several inches of rain over the past few hours. This is due to thunderstorms sitting over the city, dumping heavy rain into the city in a very short amount of time. As of 4:30 PM, a majority of the rain has moved to the east of the region. However, more development is firing to the southwest of the city. The Baltimore flood will get worse if more rain impacts the city.

Radar Image - Valid 4:30 PM CT - Gibson Ridge Software - Baltimore Flood
Radar Image – Valid 4:30 PM CT – Gibson Ridge Software – Baltimore Flood

The great people of Twitter took to the popular social media site posting tweets and pictures. Meteorologists responded in awe at the developing situation. Check out some of the response below.

 

The Baltimore flood eventually caused tonight’s game between the Yankees and the Orioles to get cancelled. So, let’s look at how this all happened.

According to the surface analysis for this afternoon, a large low pressure system was in the northeast. This draped a warm front just south of the Baltimore, Maryland region. A large precipitation shield formed this afternoon, producing widespread heavy rain.

WPC Frontal Positions - Valid Tuesday Afternoon - Baltimore Flood - NOAA WPC
WPC Frontal Positions – Valid Tuesday Afternoon – Baltimore Flood – NOAA WPC

This low pressure system brought warm, moist air off the Atlantic Ocean. This warm, moist air lifted northward as the warm front moved north. Precipitable Water values were running quite high across the region around 2 PM, the height of the event.

RAP Analysis PWAT Values - Valid 3 PM CT - Baltimore Flood - College of DuPage
RAP Analysis PWAT Values – Valid 3 PM CT – Baltimore Flood – College of DuPage

The Weather Prediction Center responded to the above 2 graphics by issuing a “Slight” (think enhanced) risk of Flash Flooding in the area. I think they nailed it. Flood waters should begin to recede soon however.

WPC Excessive Rainfall Outlook - Valid Tuesday- Baltimore Flood - NOAA WPC
WPC Excessive Rainfall Outlook – Valid Tuesday- Baltimore Flood – NOAA WPC