Weather Hazard For Maryland Commuters Looms: Forecasters

BALTIMORE, MD — The Wednesday morning commute for those in the Baltimore-Washington area may be more complicated than usual. An inch or two of snow is expected to fall in the region Tuesday night and continue through Wednesday morning, making the area's packed roads slick, according to a special weather statement from the National Weather Service.

There is a 90 percent chance of snow after 8 p.m. Tuesday, with up to 2 inches predicted, and a 60 percent chance of snowfall is called for before noon on Wednesday. The high temperature that day is likely to be 30 degrees, so the snow that falls will generally accumulate. While the snow may total only a couple inches, weather officials warn the effect on traffic could be severe.

"If this threat does materialize during the Wednesday morning rush-hour, many roads could quickly turn icy," the National Weather Service says. "This could lead to dangerous traveling conditions, multiple accidents, and extensive delays.

The National Weather Service issued the special weather statement Monday afternoon warning of the snowfall that could create hazardous conditions for commuters on Wednesday. The advisory applies to Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Charles, Howard, Harford, Montgomery and Prince George's counties and the District of Columbia. Also included are the cities of Washington, Baltimore, Bowie, Suitland-Silver Hill, Clinton, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Camp Springs, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, South Gate, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, St. Charles, Waldorf, Germantown, Damascus, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Lisbon, Columbia, Ellicott City, and Aberdeen.

Road temperatures will be below freezing and untreated surfaces may ice over during the morning rush, causing crashes, hazards and delays.

Weather officials recommend allowing for extra travel time, taking public transportation and using telework options, according to the special weather statement.

AAA offers these tips for driving in the snow:

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