12 Inches Of Snow Now Possible As Winter Storm Warning Issued In MD

Multiple counties in Maryland are now under a winter storm warning as a major nor'easter could dump as much as 12 inches of snow on some parts of the state.

The National Weather Service upgraded the previous winter storm watch to a warning on Saturday afternoon. The warning is in effect from 3 p.m. Sunday until 10 a.m. Monday for Baltimore, Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Howard, Harford, Carroll, Cecil, St. Mary's and Calvert counties.

According to the National Weather Service, the areas under the warning will likely see between 4 and 8 inches of snow, although locally higher amounts of 12 inches are possible in northeast Maryland.

"Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous," the NWS wrote. "Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute."

The storm system is expected to move northward from the Gulf Coast this weekend and will strengthen rapidly along the Atlantic Coast, according to AccuWeather, spreading accumulating snow from West Virginia through the mid-Atlantic and into southern New England from Saturday night through Monday.

AccuWeather meteorologists predict the storm will undergo rapid strengthening offshore, producing blizzard conditions in coastal areas, including Maryland.

A blizzard warning was issued Saturday for Dorchester, inland Worcester, Somerset and Wicomico counties in Maryland, as well as the state's beaches. Those areas will likely see blizzard conditions and total snow accumulations between 8 and 14 inches. Winds will gust as high as 45 to 50 mph.

"Not only will the storm evolve into a significant nor'easter with strong winds and heavy snow along parts of the Atlantic coast, but it may become a bomb cyclone as it begins to move away," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill.

The storm is expected to arrive in the Baltimore region in the form of rain, which will begin in the predawn hours and will likely change to a mix or snow at times between sunrise and midday, especially west of Interstate 95, The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang wrote. Not much accumulation is expected during the day on Sunday.

Precipitation is expected to change to all snow Sunday night and into the overnight hours, when the most accumulation will occur.

The snow will likely be wet and heavy, and it will continue to fall through Monday afternoon, forecasters said.

Additionally, northeast winds will begin to increase on Sunday and persist through Monday, possibly into Monday night. Wind gusts of 30 mph are possible, with 40 mph gusts possible near the bay, forecasters said.

Major impacts from the storm include slick, snow-covered roads. Gusty winds will reduce visibility, likely cause widespread travel disruptions and could lead to power outages.

Here's a look at the detailed forecast for the Baltimore region:

Saturday Night: A slight chance of rain before 1am, then rain likely after 3am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 34. Light east wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Sunday: Snow, possibly mixed with rain. High near 37. Calm wind becoming northeast 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Sunday Night: Snow. Low around 31. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Monday: A chance of snow before 1pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow between 1pm and 4pm, then a slight chance of rain after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 38. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. Northwest wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 48.