Drivers Urged to Stay Home; Plows Not Keeping Pace With Storm

As snowfall blankets much of Maryland, state highway officials are urging residents to stay home as snowplows struggle to keep pace with the storm.

Baltimore, Harford, Howard and Montgomery counties are all under a winter storm warning from Saturday to Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service; the warning replaces the previous winter weather advisory, which has now expired.

The warning is in effect until 9 a.m. Sunday and calls for 3 to 6 inches of snow followed by sleet and freezing rain. Snow and ice will create hazardous travel conditions Saturday night and Sunday morning, the warning states.

The Maryland State Highway Administration is asking drivers to stay off the roads Saturday afternoon and evening as moderate to heavy snow falls in all areas west of Chesapeake Bay, with sleet and freezing rain expected later tonight. SHA crews are plowing and salting across the state and will continue their work throughout the night.

“Motorists should not be out unless it is an absolute emergency.” said SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters. “With the intense rate of snowfall, we are seeing roads become snow covered shortly after our plows have cleared the lanes. People who are traveling are becoming stuck and average travel speeds are well below 20 mph.”

Find the latest traffic and weather information by calling 5-1-1 from a landline or a hands-free mobile device or logging onto www.MD511.org.

>>News Alerts: Get a free email newsletter: ANNAPOLIS • EDGEWATER • ODENTON • PERRY HALL • OWINGS MILLS • TOWSON • DUNDALK • ELDERSBURG • BEL AIR • HAVRE DE GRACE • FALLSTON • COLUMBIA • ELLICOTT CITY • BETHESDA • ROCKVILLE • SILVER SPRING • BOWIE