Snow Emergency In Place For Anne Arundel County

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Maryland State Police have declared a snow emergency for Anne Arundel County effective at noon on Friday, Feb. 1; the area is also under a winter weather advisory until 5 p.m.

The agency declares snow emergencies with input from MD State Highway Administration. Once a snow emergency is declared, the law requires certain precautions.

They include:

• Prohibited parking on roads and streets designated as snow emergency routes; and
• The use of snow tires/chains (most cars now use all weather tires, so changing to "snow" tires is unnecessary);

Once an emergency is in effect, all requirements are in effect until lifted. A Snow Emergency Plan is put into effect by county. Certain exceptions can occur while a snow emergency plan is in effect. A specific route can be lifted and the remainders of the roads in the county still remain under the Snow Emergency Plan.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for northern and central Maryland, including Anne Arundel County. The advisory calls for snow that could make roads and sidewalks slippery.

The winter weather advisory is in effect from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 1, for Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, and Howard counties, as well as Baltimore City. Anne Arundel and Montgomery counties are under the advisory until 5 p.m.

About 1 inch of snow is anticipated, with locally higher amounts of 2 inches near the Mason-Dixon
Line.

The steadiest period of snow is expected between 7 a.m. and noon on Friday.

Officials warn the precipitation may affect the morning commute.

RELATED: Threat Of Dangerous Commute For Baltimore-Washington Area

"When venturing outside, watch your first few steps," the winter weather advisory says.

In particular, pedestrians should take care on steps, sidewalks and driveways, which may all be icy and slippery.

Story by Patch Editor Elizabeth Janney

Main image via Shutterstock. Graphic courtesy of National Weather Service.