Miserable Mix Of Snow, Ice, Rain Forecast For Maryland This Weekend

MARYLAND — Marylanders will see all kinds of precipitation over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, according to the latest weather forecast, which includes a hazardous weather outlook for the Baltimore-DC region.

The National Weather Service says weather conditions will be poor at times along the I-95 corridor through central Maryland, northern Virginia, and the District of Columbia as a nor'easter moves up the Eastern Seaboard.

Snowfall predictions call for 2 to 3 inches around Annapolis; 3 to 4 inches in the Baltimore and Bel Air areas; and 5 to 8 inches near Frederick and Westminster, the NWS said.

There is an enhanced winter storm threat Sunday afternoon into early Monday morning which brings an increased potential of more significant travel impacts and more closures, the NWS said.
Strong winds may result in isolated wind damage Sunday afternoon into early Monday.

Forecasters say a mix of snow, rain and ice are possible for Maryland, with below-freezing temperatures on Saturday followed by snow, ice and rain Sunday into Monday.

A quick round of snowfall is likely Sunday afternoon into evening, WBAL TV reports, and then shift to rain.

The station predicts the heaviest snowfall between 3 and 11 p.m. Sunday, followed by a move to wintry mix and rain from 7 to 11 p.m. Sunday.

A winter storm watch is in effect Sunday afternoon and Sunday night for locations near and west of U.S. Route 15. Heavy snowfall and ice is possible further east, but confidence remains lower, the NWS tweeted. "Be ready for winter (weather) Sunday," the agency said.

Chuck Bell, meteorologist with NBC4, said areas near D.C. should expect the winter storm to arrive after noon Sunday. Due to the cold air in place, it will start as all snow, with accumulations of 2 to 4 inches possible by 6 p.m. Sunday in D.C. and the close-in suburbs, Bell said. By Sunday evening, the snow is then expected to shift to sleet or rain.

A gale watch is in effect over the waters during this time.

A gale warning is in effect through Friday night for the Maryland Chesapeake Bay from North Beach to Smith Point, including the Patuxent River and Tangier Sound as well as the Tidal Potomac River from Cobb Island to Smith Point.

Here's the weekend weather forecast:

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. North wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 16. North wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

Saturday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 28. North wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 12. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Sunday: Snow likely, mainly after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 33. Light northeast wind becoming east 8 to 13 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday Night: Rain, snow, and freezing rain before midnight, then rain between midnight and 4am, then rain, possibly mixed with snow after 4am. Low around 28. Blustery. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

M.L. King Day: A chance of rain and snow before 11am, then a chance of rain between 11am and 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.