'Significant Wet Snow' Possible: Maryland Weather

BALTIMORE, MD — A significant snowstorm is on the way to the mid-Atlantic, according to the National Weather Service. While projections are still in flux, a few inches of snow will likely accumulate in central Maryland, with higher accumulations in the northeastern part of the state.

A mixture of rain and snow is in the forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday. Particularly on Wednesday, officials say that travel conditions may become hazardous, with limited visibility and slick roads.

The National Weather Service has issued winter storm watches for Cecil, Baltimore and Harford counties to signal the potential for significant snow, sleet or ice.

UPDATE: Winter Weather Advisory Issued For 3 Maryland Counties

Snow may begin in northeast Maryland Tuesday night, turning slushy by Wednesday morning and returning to snow midday Wednesday, falling heavily through the afternoon.

While there is some uncertainty about the projections, weather officials say about 3 to 6 inches of snow may accumulate in Cecil County, which is under a winter storm watch from 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, to 3 a.m. on Thursday, March 8. Localized amounts of up to 13 inches of snow are possible near southeastern Pennsylvania and northeastern New Jersey, according to the weather service. The higher accumulations will be near and west of the I-95 corridor, officials say.

Northwest Harford and northern Baltimore counties are under a separate winter storm watch from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 7. There is the potential for 5 inches or more wet snow there, forecasters say.

Travel may be difficult, including on the Wednesday morning commute, officials advised.

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency said in a statement Monday afternoon that it was monitoring "some potential incoming snow" that may be on the way later in the week. It directed people to follow their local weather sources for more specific details as the forecast comes in. (Find your local Patch here and sign up to receive free news alerts. Get the free Patch iPhone app or the free Patch Android app.)

"The forecast for Tuesday night is highly uncertain," the National Weather Service advised Monday.

Cold air is expected to rush in Tuesday evening, followed by rain or freezing rain in lower lying areas. Snow is possible, especially in higher elevations Tuesday evening.

Areas northwest of Baltimore and Washington are likely to see higher accumulations, but the overall mixture of rain and snow is expected to be light on Tuesday, forecasters say.

Rain and snow showers are possible Wednesday before the system moves out of the area Wednesday evening.

High temperatures Tuesday and Wednesday will be in the 40s, with lows each night in the 20s and 30s in central Maryland.

A northeast wind around 15 to 20 mph is forecast for the Eastern Shore, with the potential for gusts of more than 30 mph, according to weather officials.

Wind and wet snow may down utility wires and tree limbs, causing outages, the National Weather Service advised, following days of outages that have been scattered across the state after Friday's nor'easter.

Photo of snow on Frederick Road in Paradise/Catonsville from Dec. 9, 2017, by Elizabeth Janney. Snow projection graphic via National Weather Service.