Harford County Storm Updates: Spinouts, Plowing, Salting

UPDATE (11 p.m. Saturday)—Harford County Emergency Management says drivers should stay off roads overnight unless there is an emergency.

Here’s the report from emergency personnel:

“Harford County has received approximately 9 inches of snow thus far and may receive an additional three inches before the snow changes to freezing rain. DPW and SHA personnel continue working to clear both state and county roads. The public is encouraged not to drive tonight unless an emergency.”

Check the Maryland State Highway Administration’s Twitter feed for further updates on travel advisories.

Previous report—After 7 p.m. Saturday, snow is continuing to come down across the region, and officials are advising drivers to stay off the roads.

Particularly in Bel Air, traffic was a problem Saturday, according to Harford County Executive Barry Glassman.

“We had a great deal of congestion in the Bel Air area and surrounding Bel Air,” Glassman told WBAL after 6:30 p.m. Saturday. “A lot of folks went out.”

Many did not heed the warning of transportation officials, who advised people not to drive Saturday if possible.

• Drivers Urged to Stay Home; Plows Not Keeping Pace with Storm
• Harford County Declares Snow Emergency

Multiple spinouts were reported around Harford County, particularly by hilly areas or slick spots where drivers were traveling too fast, Glassman said.

Freezing Rain in Forecast

A winter weather advisory is in effect for snow, sleet and freezing rain until 9 a.m. in Harford County.

At 7:15 p.m., local police reported to the National Weather Service that 9 inches of snow had fallen in Bel Air, the highest report in the county so far.

Late Saturday night, snow will change to sleet and freezing rain, according to the National Weather Service.

By morning, precipitation will transition to regular rain as temperatures rise with a high of 40 Sunday, the weather service reports.

Plowing Underway, Salting Planned

State transportation officials say they have 2,400 trucks plowing and salting throughout the state; however, “collisions and abandoned vehicles hampered operations and contributed to traffic jams and difficulties treating roadways,” the State Highway Administration reported Saturday night.

“With freezing rain predicted, the State Highway Administration encourages everyone to avoid driving and if already traveling, get to their destinations and stay,” according to the report.

Operations will shift from plowing to salting as snow changes to rain in Harford County overnight, local government officials say.

“We had 138 trucks out,” Glassman told WBAL about plowing operations Saturday night.

County plows are expected to continue working through midnight, Harford County government reported.

• See Harford County Plow Tracker to check the status of plowing.

Crews will head back out at 4 a.m. to salt roads, according to Harford County government.

Photo Credit: Harford County Government.