Heavy rain, winds expected Sunday

Rainfall to taper off this evening

A much-needed rainfall is expected to intensify throughout the day Sunday in the Baltimore metro area, accumulating up to an inch and a half before dropping off this evening, just as the wind gusts pick up, according to the National Weather Service.

"What's causing all this rain is a low-pressure system moving northward along the coast, and as that low-pressure system gets closer, you are going to see an increasing north wind," said meteorologist Carrie Suffern. "By early evening hours, you'll see some gusts around 20 miles per hour or so, maybe even 25."

Winds will lessen during the night, but it will remain "breezy" into Monday, Suffern said. Temperatures are expected to top out in the mid-50s, making for a chilly close to the weekend.

The storms started Saturday, as a cold front brought about a half inch of wet weather from the Great Lakes to the Baltimore region. Just 7 inches of rain have fallen so far this year, down about 42 percent from normal totals of 12.1 inches.

The dry conditions will likely keep today's rain from flooding most areas, Suffern said.

"The ground is so dry, it would take a lot," she said.

Scattered showers are expected overnight and throughout the day Monday.

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