Snow Squalls, Flash Freeze, Wind Advisory For Anne Arundel

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Strong winds, chilling temperatures, possible snow squalls and flash freezes on roads are in the forecast for Anne Arundel County on Wednesday. Forecasters warn power outages are possible as well as dangerous driving conditions. As evening arrives, a wind chill advisory will take effect from 9 p.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31.

As an arctic front moves across the mid-Atlantic, the National Weather Service reports that strong winds will arrive. A wind advisory is in effect from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30, for much of central Maryland, including Anne Arundel County. It calls for 25 to 35 mph winds with gusts up to 50 mph, that may bring down trees and power lines, resulting in power outages. The National Weather Service issues a wind advisory when winds of 45 to 55 mph are expected that can make driving difficult.

There is also a potential flash freeze Wednesday afternoon as an arctic front crosses the region. "Temperatures behind the front will quickly drop about 10 degrees in less than 30 minutes and potentially cause a flash freeze of any untreated wet roads and surfaces such as roads, sidewalks, and parking lots, causing treacherous travel or walking conditions," the Weather Service says. "Along the front a quick burst of intense snow is also likely. A quick snow accumulation of less than one inch is possible, mainly on grassy surfaces as road temperatures ahead of the front are above freezing."

A snow squall is also possible Wednesday, bringing rapidly changing weather and dangerous road conditions. Brief periods of heavy snow and 50 mph wind gusts could occur, and 1 inch of snow may quickly accumulate, weather officials said.

At 1 p.m., officials said that a dangerous snow squall was moving east at 20 mph through west central Maryland, the easternmost part of West Virginia and northwestern Virginia.

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"Snow showers or snow squalls could enhance gusty winds and briefly lower visibility, resulting in very hazardous driving conditions," the National Weather Service advised in a special weather statement after 10 a.m. on Wednesday. The statement, which cautioned drivers ahead of potential whiteout conditions from heavy wind and blowing snow, applies to Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Harford, Howard and Montgomery counties as well as Baltimore City, DC and parts of Virginia.

Drivers in these areas should slow down and turn on headlights.

"Motorists are urged to use caution if encountering any of these squalls from late this morning through the afternoon," the National Weather Service advised. "A narrow but solid line of heavy snow moving through central Pennsylvania this morning is forecast to move into eastern Pennsylvania and the far northern portions of the Delmarva around noon, then into New Jersey during the afternoon hours. This line of snow represents the leading edge of arctic air that will invade the area later today through Friday."

Here is a snow squall reported Wednesday morning in State College, Pennsylvania:

An intense snow squall moved through the State College area 2 hours ago, producing white out conditions and a one minute sustained wind of 30 mph (gusting to 37.1 mph!) What a sight it was!!! @NWSStateCollege #snowsquall #PAWX pic.twitter.com/79JvTSyfgx
— Nicholas Norman )/ (@Stormin13Norman) January 30, 2019

Baltimore, Frederick, Carroll, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Washington counties are also under a wind chill advisory from 6 p.m. Wednesday to noon on Thursday.

The advisory calls for wind chills of 10 to 20 degrees below zero in portions of northern Maryland, northwest Virginia and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.

Frostbite may develop in as little as 30 minutes, according to the National Weather Service.

To protect themselves, people going outside should dress in layers, wear a hat and put on gloves.

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