Thanksgiving Storm: See Latest On Travel Forecast For MD

MARYLAND — Rain is moving out of Maryland ;Tuesday afternoon, but an even stronger weather system is expected to hit the state on Thursday, making for a wet Thanksgiving and poor travel conditions, according to the latest forecast.

Tuesday's rain has largely ended and brought in cooler temperatures. After reaching a high of 64 degrees, the Baltimore region will see temperatures drop into the 50s in the afternoon, with an overnight low of 36 degrees.

The good news is that in between, Wednesday (which is also the busiest travel day of the year) will be dry, according to the National Weather Service.

Rain will cover Maryland late Wednesday overnight into Thursday, likely after 1 a.m., along with patchy fog after 4 a.m., the National Weather Service said.

Earlier forecasts said there was a slim chance of snow flurries on Sunday when the low drops into the 20s, but that's not in updated forecasts.

"Light showers quickly move through this morning, with a sunny, warmer, gusty afternoon ahead. Dry conditions Wednesday, then rain overspreads the region for Thanksgiving. Conditions turn cooler Thursday night as much colder air starts to move into the area.," the National Weather Service said.

AccuWeather meteorologists say there's a chance the storm could strengthen further, making for a slippery commute for those traveling to Philadelphia or New York City on Thanksgiving itself.

Forecasters expect a half-inch to one inch of rain to fall, which will taper off in the afternoon. This will usher in a dry, but cold and windy, Black Friday into the weekend.

Here's the latest Maryland forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tuesday Afternoon: Sunny, with a temperature falling to around 55 by 5pm. Northwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. West wind around 6 mph.

Wednesday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 54. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: Rain, mainly after 1am. Patchy fog after 4am. Low around 44. Southeast wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thanksgiving Day: Rain, mainly before 1pm. Patchy fog before 3pm. High near 54. East wind 6 to 9 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 42.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.

When To Avoid DMV Highways

Highways and airports in Maryland are expected to be congested with projections for record travel over Thanksgiving weekend, the busiest travel holiday of the year. However, the forecasted weather could affect travel even more this week.

INRIX said the best and worst times to travel over the holiday period are (all times local):

• Monday, Nov. 25: 1-5 p.m., worst travel time; before 11 a.m. best travel time
• Tuesday, Nov. 26: 1-7 p.m., worst travel time; before 10 a.m., best travel time
• Wednesday, Nov. 27: 1-5 p.m., worst travel time; before 10 a.m., best travel time
• Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28: Minimal traffic impact expected
• Friday, Nov 29: 7-10 a.m., worst travel time; after 1 p.m. best travel time
• Saturday, Nov. 30: 4-8 p.m., worst travel time; before 1 p.m., best travel time
• Sunday, Dec. 1: noon-6 p.m., worst travel time; before 1 p.m., best travel time
• Monday, Dec. 2: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., worst travel time; before 8 a.m. after 7 p.m., best travel times

Bay Bridge traffic can put a damper on the holiday mood. Drivers are encouraged to avoid peak congestion by traveling during the following times.

Eastbound:

• Tuesday, Nov. 26 – before noon and after 8 p.m.;
• Wednesday, Nov. 27 – before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m.;
• Thursday, Nov. 28 – before 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m.;
• Friday, Nov. 29 – before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m.;
• Saturday, Nov. 30 – before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m.; and
• Sunday, Dec. 1 – before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

Westbound:

• Wednesday, Nov. 27 – before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m.;
• Thursday, Nov. 28 – before 11 a.m. and after 3 p.m.;
• Saturday, Nov. 30 – before 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m.; and
• Sunday, Dec. 1 – before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m.

Weather and traffic permitting, two-way operations will be implemented to help ease eastbound delays at the Bay Bridge.

I-95 (JFK Memorial Highway and Fort McHenry Tunnel) best times to travel include:

• Tuesday, Nov. 26 – before noon and after 11 p.m.;
• Wednesday, Nov. 27 – before 7 a.m. and after 10 p.m.;
• Thursday, Nov. 28 – before 8 a.m. and after 4 p.m.;
• Friday, Nov. 29 – before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.;
• Saturday, Nov. 30, and Sunday, Dec. 1 – before 8 a.m. and after 10 p.m.; and
• Monday, Dec. 2 – before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m.

The I-95 travel plazas – Chesapeake House in Cecil County at mile marker 97 and Maryland House in Harford County at mile marker 82 – are open 24/7 with food, indoor/outdoor seating, fuel and electric vehicle charging stations are available.

For live traffic cameras and real-time roadway conditions across Maryland, go to chart.maryland.gov.