Freeze Warning Issued For MD As Cold, Snow Pellets Move In

After early-summer heat last week, a cold snap is threatening to freeze spring plants and snow pellets were falling in Maryland, according to the latest forecast.

Off and on Monday morning and early afternoon, pellets of snow called graupel, have fallen at times in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., area, according to the National Weather Service.

"As of 2 PM, radar imagery shows mixed rain/graupel showers scattered across Northern Virginia, DC, and Northeast Maryland," the NWS said. "These showers will continue to track off toward the southeast over the next couple hours, before dissipating prior to sunset."

A freeze warning is in place from 2 a.m. to 10 a.m. Tuesday for the region.Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 29 degrees are expected, especially in outlying areas away from larger bodies of water.

The cold blast will cover Washington DC, and portions of central, northern, and southern Maryland, and central and northern Virginia. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing, the weather agency said.

Temperatures Monday will reach the mid-40s to the mid-50s, according to the National Weather Service.

Things will be frosty Monday night, with lows ranging from 10 to 20 degrees lower than the historical average, AccuWeather forecasters said.

Crops and sensitive vegetation could be at risk, forecasters warn.

“Frost and freeze conditions on consecutive mornings can compound the damage. The first cold snap may weaken blossoms, and the second can finish them off, especially for crops like apples, peaches, and berries that are already in sensitive growth stages,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys.

Things will start to warm up Wednesday, forecasters said. Temperatures will climb back to the 70s and remain above average Wednesday through Friday.

Then, it will cool down slightly over the weekend.

There are increasing chances of rain as well.

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

Monday: Scattered sprinkles. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. Northwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Tonight: Widespread frost after 2am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 35. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Tuesday: Widespread frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 59. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers after 2am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 50. South wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday: Showers likely, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 76.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.

Friday Night: A chance of showers after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Chance of precipitation is 50%.