Maryland Snowstorm Alert: Winter Weather Advisory Issued

BALTIMORE, MD — The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for much of the Baltimore-Washington area. The advisory calls for up to 5 inches of snow to fall Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening.

The winter weather advisory is in effect from 2 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Feb. 17.

Snow and possibly sleet are expected during the advisory period.

Forecasters say snow should start falling between 2 and 5 p.m. on Saturday and will wrap up by midnight.

Drivers should be aware that roads will be snow-covered and slippery. Slick roads may continue into Sunday morning, Maryland transportation officials say. Drivers should remember that speed limits are for ideal conditions, and they should go slow on ice and snow.

Visibility will be less than a mile at times during the wintry mix, weather officials advise. People should allow themselves extra time to get to their destinations and use caution if they have to travel.

The National Weather Service issues a winter weather advisory when snow and sleet are expected to make travel difficult.

The winter weather advisory applies to northern Maryland and the Baltimore-Washington suburbs, as well as eastern West Virginia and the northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

Areas under the advisory include the following, according to the National Weather Service:

• Allegany (central and eastern)
• Baltimore (northern and southern)
• Carroll
• Frederick
• Harford (northwest and southeast)
• Howard (northwest)
• Montgomery (northwest)
• Washington

Central and southeast Howard County are under a separate winter weather advisory along with Anne Arundel, Prince George's and Montgomery (central and southeast) counties, the District of Columbia and northern Virginia calling for up to 2 inches of wet snow.

Here is the extended forecast.

4-Day Forecast

Saturday February 17

Heavy snow (2–5 in.) starting in the evening. High 38, low 29.
Chance of precipitation: 69%. Wind 2 mph from the E

Sunday February 18

Partly cloudy starting in the evening. High 48, low 33.
Chance of precipitation: 44%. Wind 4 mph from the W

Monday February 19

Foggy overnight. High 48, low 33.
Chance of precipitation: 40%. Wind 8 mph from the S

Tuesday February 20

Mostly cloudy throughout the day. High 67, low 49.
Chance of precipitation: 24%. Wind 10 mph from the SSW

Graphic via National Weather Service. Photo Credit: Scott Anderson, Patch.com.