Maryland Weather: Snow Prompts Winter Storm Warning, Advisory

BALTIMORE, MD — With wet snow falling across the state, the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning and expanded a winter weather advisory for parts of Maryland.

Heavy snow is expected in northern Baltimore County and northwest Harford County, according to the National Weather Service.

Those areas are under a winter storm warning calling for 4 to 7 inches of snow until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7.

A winter storm warning is issued when travel conditions will be very hazardous or impossible. Drivers should plan on difficult travel conditions and limited visibility. Keep an extra flashlight, food and water on hand in case of an emergency.

Carroll and southeastern Harford counties are under a winter weather advisory until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 7. Accumulation may be 1 to 3 inches, with up to 5 inches possible in localized areas, weather officials say.

Cecil County is under a winter weather advisory for 1 to 3 inches of snow with up to 5 inches possible. That advisory expires as of 3 a.m. on Thursday, March 8.

These central Maryland counties are under a separate advisory calling for 1 to 2 inches of snow, with up to 4 inches possible, until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 7, according to the National Weather Service:

• Anne Arundel
• Baltimore County (southern)
• Frederick County
• Howard County (northwest, central and southeast)
• Montgomery (northwest, central and southeast)
• Prince George's County

A winter weather advisory means that snow will lead to travel difficulties. Drivers should take extra care, expecting slippery roads and limited visibility.

This latest winter weather event comes on the heels of Friday's storm, which knocked out power to more than 400,000 people in Maryland. More than 12,000 BGE customers were still reporting outages as of 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

Of those, more than 4,500 outages were in Baltimore County; 2,400 were in Harford County; 2,000 were in Baltimore City; 1,500 were in Anne Arundel County; and 1,100 were in Howard County.

By 11:20 p.m. on Tuesday, the number was down to about 8,300 outages across BGE. Nearly 2,400 were in Baltimore County, while more than 1,900 were in Harford County.

Crews were treating roads with salt brine in northern counties, the Maryland State Highway Administration reported on Tuesday.

Drivers should be particularly cautious around bridges, ramps and overpasses. While temperatures are above freezing now, roads could freeze — particularly toward the Mason-Dixon Line — as winter weather arrives.

During the snowfall, State Highway Administration crews will use infrared pavement sensors to detect what needs attention.

Here are tips from AAA on how to get your vehicle ready:

• Fill the gas tank.
• Prepare an emergency kit with an ice scraper, sand/kitty litter and de-icer.
• Remove snow or ice from the vehicle before driving.
• Ensure lights are working.
• Put a blanket, extra gloves, hat and heavy coat in your car.
• Pack snacks and drinks, leaving them by the door so they do not freeze in the car overnight.
• Charge your cell phone.
• Do not let your car warm up for more than 30 seconds, do not idle and do not leave it idling unattended.
• Give yourself extra time to reach your destination.
• Increase following distance, and give extra space to plows and salt trucks.
• Move over if you see police or emergency vehicles on the side of the road, allowing at least a lane between you if possible.

Graphic via National Weather Service.