Snow Threat: Drivers Urged to Skip Morning Commute

With several counties under a winter weather advisory overnight, the Maryland State Highway Administration is urging drivers to stay off the roads Friday during rush hour.

Forecasters are predicting the storm will change to rain in mid-morning. One inch of snow is expected across much of the state, with two to three inches of snow possible in southern Maryland.

“Snow during the rush hour is the worst possible scenario since salt trucks are in the same traffic congestion as everyone else and we cannot treat roadways,” said SHA Administrator Gregory Johnson in a news release. “Know Before You Go by checking MD511.org and don’t go if it is snowing. Delay travel until after the storm passes.”

SHA crews spent Wednesday and Thursday pre-treating interstates and major roads, which will help keep the pavement clear.

Check http://www.md511.org for the latest travel conditions.

The latest forecast from the National Weather Service puts the snow forecast at 90 percent chance in the overnight hours and 50 percent on Friday morning.

“Light snow in bands will lift north across the area this evening," the weather service says. “Locally moderate snow spreads across southern Maryland after midnight with light snow across the rest of the area east of the Blue Ridge. Snow tapers off along east of Interstate 95 Friday morning.”

The Weather Channel forecast suggests the region could see 1-3 inches, though this number has fluctuated with each updated forecast.

Current Forecast

The latest Maryland regional forecast from the National Weather Service.

Thursday Night: Snow, mainly after 3 am. Low around 30. Southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Friday: A chance of snow, mainly before 9 am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. North wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.