Those planning to attend Artscape this weekend may encounter hot and humid temperatures in Baltimore, as well as road closures and parking restrictions.
Temperatures in the Baltimore area are expected to remain in the 80s through the weekend until Wednesday, when temperatures will jump into the 90s, according to the National Weather Service.
A 30% chance of showers is expected after 1pm on Tuesday, but overnight, the chance of showers increases to 80%.
The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook warning that scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible from about 3 p.m. to midnight. Some of these thunderstorms may produce some localized, damaging wind gusts and isolated flooding events.
Wednesday's high temperature will be near 95 degrees, with a small chance of showers and thundershowers after 2 p.m. and continuing into the evening. Thursday's high is expected to be near 96 degrees, with a slight chance of showers after 2 p.m.
Early Friday, the first day of Artscape, a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms is expected.
The weather pattern for the day is expected to be similar to Thursday, but with a higher chance of showers after 2pm. Overnight temperatures are expected to drop into the mid-70s, with the chance of showers increasing to 50 percent by 2 a.m.
The weather service expects hot and humid weather on Thursday and Friday, with the heat index reaching around 105 to 110 degrees
Showers are possible throughout Saturday, but highs will remain in the mid-90s. On Sunday, the last day of the Artscape weekend, highs are expected to be around 90 degrees, with a chance of showers throughout the day.
With wet weather approaching, Artscape attendees can plan for road closures and parking restrictions in Baltimore City.
Road closures and operational adjustments will be phased in starting Monday morning. Baltimore City Police, traffic enforcement officers, signs and electronic message boards will reroute motorists.
After the festival, some roads will be closed until 4 p.m. on August 6. Roads will reopen after the streets have been cleared of all event-related materials and equipment.
Artscape The following roads will be closed until 4pm on August 6:
- Mt. Royal Avenue between McMechen Street and St. Paul Street. Mt. Royal traffic will be detoured directly onto McMechen Street. The I-83 exit ramp to Mt. Royal will be closed to Mt. Royal Avenue.
- Cathedral Street between West Beadle Street and Mount Royal Avenue.
- Dolphin Street between Howard Street and Mount Royal Avenue.
- West Preston Street between Cathedral Street and North Howard Street.
- West Oliver Street between Mount Royal Avenue and Maryland Avenue. (Access to Fitzgerald Garage and the University of Baltimore parking lot will be maintained.)
- West Lanvale Street between Mt. Royal Avenue and Rutter Street.
- West Lafayette Street between Mount Royal Avenue and Root Street.
- West Preston Street between Maryland Avenue and Cathedral Street. (Use of the Maryland Avenue Garage and Artscape parking permits will remain.)
- McMechen, Malster and Dickson streets will be closed behind the MICA Bunting Center and Fox Building.
Road closures from 10 a.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Monday:
- North Charles Street between West Preston Street and North Avenue. (Ramps to I-83 are closed at this time and local access between Biddle Street and Preston Street will remain.)
- Ranville Street between Maryland Avenue and Lovegrove Street. (The Amtrak parking lot on St. Paul Street will remain.)
- Lafayette Avenue between St. Paul Street and Maryland Avenue. (Access to the Marathon gas station and Schuler School will remain.)
- North Charles Street, between North Avenue and West 21st Street.
- West 20th Street between Maryland Avenue and St. Paul Street.
- The north side parking lot/curb driveway on North Avenue from North Howard Street to St. Paul Street.
- The south side parking lot/curb driveway on North Avenue from Maryland Avenue to North Charles Street.
Road closures from 9 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday:
- Falls Road from West Lafayette to Maryland Avenue.
- Southbound Jones Falls Highway ramp to Maryland Avenue. Temporary traffic patterns will be installed on Maryland Avenue from Oliver Street to North Avenue. Vehicles may only turn north onto Maryland Avenue at Oliver Street. Local access to the Fitzgerald Garage will remain, and Fitzgerald residents and UB students will be able to turn right on Oliver Street onto Maryland Avenue.
- Northbound traffic on Maryland Avenue must turn right on North Avenue.
- The intersection of Mt. Royal and Maryland Avenue will remain closed until 6 a.m. Monday
The Baltimore City Department of Transportation did not provide locations for parking restrictions, but asked motorists to pay attention to information posted throughout the event. The department urges anyone with questions about the location of the towed vehicle to call 311.
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