Winter Storm Watch For Anne Arundel Calls For 5 Inches Of Snow

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A new forecast suggests that our chance of getting multiple inches of snow on Tuesday and Wednesday in Anne Arundel County has increased rather dramatically. The watch starts at midnight Tuesday into Wednesday evening. State highway crews have pre-treated highways and bridges in the northern Maryland counties for snow, high winds and flooding.

The National Weather Service is calling for at least 5 inches of wet snow between Tuesday morning and Wednesday evening in Anne Arundel County. A thin layer of ice is also possible from a snow-sleet mix. Parts of Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Washington counties are under a winter weather advisory and winter storm watch in advance of the winter weather.

• The winter weather advisory is effective from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20; up to an inch of snow/sleet is expected.
• The winter storm watch is from 12 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday March 21; a thin layer of ice overnight may form with up to an inch of sleet/snow and at least 5 inches of wet snow possible.

A winter weather advisory means there could be slippery conditions and limited visibility from winter weather. (For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

A winter storm watch means there is potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel.

There are two weather systems moving through the area, according to WJZ. First, a low-pressure system moving in Tuesday evening will deliver a mix of rain, snow and sleet; then a wet snow will blanket the region on Wednesday, particularly Wednesday morning.

Drivers should be aware that wintry weather could impact roads as early as Tuesday morning.

"Plan on slippery road conditions, including during the morning commute on Tuesday," the National Weather Service said in the winter weather advisory. "Plan on difficult travel conditions." Visibility may be limited.

Annapolis Forecast From The National Weather Service

Monday Night: Rain, mainly after 9pm. Low around 35. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday: Rain before noon, then rain and sleet between noon and 3pm, then rain, snow, and sleet likely after 3pm. High near 36. Northeast wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no snow and sleet accumulation expected.

Tuesday Night: Rain, snow, and sleet likely before 9pm, then snow likely between 9pm and 3am, then rain and snow after 3am. Low around 29. Northeast wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Wednesday: Snow. High near 36. North wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Wednesday Night: Snow, mainly before 9pm. Low around 29. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 43.

The Maryland State Highway Administration reported Monday that it has treated roads and bridges, cleared storm drains of debris and prepped chainsaws, chippers, generators and "road closed" signs in the event of storm damage.

If traffic signals are out, drivers are reminded they are required by law to treat them as four-way stops or stop signs.

AAA offers the following tips for driving on snowy or icy roads:

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly; it takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• Turn the steering wheel in the direction your wheels are going if you start to skid. Do not hit brakes or gas.
• Increase following distance.
• Use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don't stop if you can help it. Slow down enough to stay moving until a traffic light changes.
• Don't speed up or stop going uphill. Try to get momentum going on a flat surface before you reach a hill and let inertia carry you to the top. At the crest of the hill, reduce your speed. Proceed as slowly as possible.

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