Sub-Zero Wind Chills Recorded In MD: When Will Arctic Cold End?

MARYLAND — The ongoing arctic blast has blanketed Maryland with frigid air, but the end may be in sight. Normal temperatures could return by early next week.

Tuesday was Maryland's coldest day of the winter. The low of 11 degrees and the high of 20 degrees were both the chilliest of the season at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

At 9 a.m. Wednesday, the wind chill was -4 degrees and the true temperature was 11 degrees at BWI Airport as Maryland waited out a cold weather advisory expiring at 11 a.m.

Wednesday's high of 21 and low of 10 have Marylanders wondering when this polar vortex will end.

"Arctic high pressure will maintain control, leading to well below normal temperatures and very cold wind chills through Thursday morning. Temperatures will begin to moderate late this week as high pressure begins to lift away. A system may approach the region late in the weekend," the National Weather Service said in a forecast discussion.

With a high of 35, Saturday looks to be the first day above freezing. Sunday through Tuesday should reach the low-40s. From there, temperatures could revert to their normal winter levels.

It will still be cold in the evenings, however. Nighttime lows will hover around 10 to 16 degrees through Friday night and sit in the low-20s Saturday through Monday nights.

"The Arctic chill is expected to continue Saturday and Saturday night as an area of high pressure builds in from the west and northwest. Temperatures will be about 10 degrees below average with highs in the lower 30s and lows in the lower to middle teens," the NWS said. "High pressure will build into the region Tuesday and bring dry conditions. Temperatures will remain near average for late January."

There's "a chance for a little rain and snow" in some areas around Sunday, but it's too far out to know specifics. Meteorologists are uncertain where the potential storm could hit, what type of precipitation it would bring and how much may fall during the "weak and fast-moving" system.

"There is still a lot of uncertainty as to who gets what type of precipitation as well as a high uncertainty as to who doesn't get any precipitation as a few models are showing a downsloping flow over the heart of our region. The GFS, along with a blend of other models, are revealing a chance of a little rain or a little snow. The EURO keeps the low pressure to the south," the NWS said.

Here is the National Weather Service's seven-day forecast for BWI Airport:

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 21. Wind chill values as low as -1. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 10. Calm wind.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 32. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 16. Calm wind becoming west around 6 mph after midnight.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 32. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 12.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 35.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.