Bowie Prepares For Major Winter Storm: Latest Forecast, Cancellations, How To Prepare

BOWIE, MD — A winter storm warning is in effect for most of Maryland, with the exception of the state's Eastern Shore. Residents are being reminded by officials when roads will be cleared, how to stay warm and what to do to keep safe during the precarious weekend weather.

By Monday, Baltimore City could see 13 inches of snow on the ground. Nearby, predicted totals include more than 11 inches in Annapolis, nearly 14 inches in Bel Air, and 17 inches in Frederick and Westminster.

The winter storm warning encompasses Baltimore City and surrounding counties, including Montgomery, Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Prince George's, Howard and Harford. The warning takes effect at 11 p.m. Saturday and stretches through 4 a.m. on Monday.

In the latest forecast update from the National Weather Service, the agency said snow will likely spread across the region Saturday night, becoming heavy at times with rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour possible. A mix of sleet or freezing rain is expected Sunday, the National Weather Service said, with significant icing possible, especially south of Highway 50. Visibility of one-quarter mile or less is possible at times.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency ahead of this weekend's winter storm and residents have been advised against traveling if possible.

"This winter storm has the potential to be remarkably dangerous, and it's not just going to impact Maryland," Moore said. "A storm of this size, of this magnitude, is one that needs to be taken very, very seriously."

Residents are encouraged to sign up at Alert Prince George's for severe weather and emergency notifications.

All county recreation and parks facilities and programs closed Saturday at 6 p.m. and will remain Sunday and Monday.

Related: MD Snow Totals Up In Latest Weekend Storm Forecast

Parking, traveling

Vehicles traveling on the roads when a snow emergency plan is in effect must have snow or all-weather radial tires or chains, officials noted.

No parking is allowed along designated snow emergency routes. Snowplow drivers must open up inlets and drainage outlets to prevent snow from packing on top and causing flooding problems. They also must clear a way to mailboxes. So residents are reminded to remove their vehicles from streets to allow snowplow drivers to have ample access to the roadway, as well as portable basketball hoops from the county right-of-way.

Residents can park only on the even-numbered sides of roads and streets during a snow emergency, officials said.

Snow removal

The Prince George's County Department of Public Works & Transportation has been busy pretreating primary and secondary roads ahead of the snowfall. Officials noted that when a snow emergency has been declared, the Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation is responsible for providing what they call “passable” conditions on a network of more than 1,900 miles of county-maintained roadways.

The county has five tiers of operation during winter weather. When more than four inches of snow falls, the county goes into what it calls full operation, which is a multi-day plowing operation. A blizzard operation takes effect when snow must be removed by using heavy equipment.

Officials noted that crews will be ready to salt and plow as needed during the storm, and crews will address icy patches, hills and other problem areas as necessary. Residents can call PGC311 or file a report through the PGC311 app to report hazardous conditions such as downed trees or icy patches.

Commercial and residential properties are required to remove snow and ice from paved sidewalks throughout the county within 48 hours after the snow has fallen or ice has accumulated to a depth of at least 2 inches.

Hyattsville's Department of Public Works will be on duty throughout the weekend treating city streets. Snow emergency routes will be plowed first. There is no parking on snow routes during a snow emergency, officials noted. Find snow emergency routes, snow preparedness guidance and important contacts at hyattsville.org/snow.

Cancellations

Due to the impending hazardous weather forecast, the Prince George's County Department of the Environment will suspend Monday's food scraps and yard trim collection on Monday. Per the county's inclement weather policy, collections will resume the following Feb. 2.

Residents receiving this county-contracted waste collection service are advised not to place collection carts at the curb to allow snowplows to safely operate and clear roadways. Residents who receive county-contracted curbside recycling only Monday collection also will have their services canceled for this Monday. Collection services also will resume Feb. 2.

Staying warm

Warming centers across the county will be open for residents who need to stay warm, if the weather allows for them to be open.

Residents can use this interactive map to find a warming center closest to them. Here's a list of community centers that are doubling as warming centers and will be open during their regular operating hours:

• Allentown Splash, Tennis and Fitness Park – Fort Washington
• Camp Springs Senior Activity Center –Camp Springs
• Cedar Heights Community Center –Seat Pleasant
• Glenarden Community Center –Glenarden
• Harmony Hall Regional Center – Fort Washington
• Hillcrest Heights Community Center – Hillcrest Heights
• John E. Howard Senior Activity Center – Capitol Heights
• Kentland Community Center – Landover
• Langley Park Community Center – Hyattsville
• Largo/Kettering/Perrywood Community Center
• Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center – Laurel
• Oakcrest Community Center – District Heights
• Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex – Landover
• Rollingcrest-Chillum Community Center – Chillum
• Southern Area Aquatics and Recreation Complex – Brandywine
• Southern Regional Technology Recreation Center – Fort Washington
• Suitland Community Center – Forestville
• Temple Hills Community Center – Temple Hills
• Tucker Road Ice Rink – Fort Washington
• Upper Marlboro Community Center – Upper Marlboro

Pepco announced that it has mobilized crews to respond to an outages during the winter storm as "quickly and safely as possible."

"Of particular concern is the potential for a significant accumulation of snow, followed by sleet or freezing rain, which can have a severe impact on trees and power lines. Downed trees, limbs and other debris cause approximately half of all power outages during storms. Our preparations are focused on keeping customers safe and restoring service promptly if the weather causes damage," the company stated.

Pepco recommended residents do the following in case they do lose power:

• Keep bottled water and non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food on hand.
• Customers who rely on electricity for medical equipment, or who may be elderly or have disabilities, should confirm backup plans in case of an extended outage.
• Assemble an emergency storm kit with a battery-powered radio, flashlight, a first-aid kit, blankets, battery-powered or windup clock, extra batteries, medications, multi-purpose tool and list of important/emergency phone numbers.
• Fully charge cell phones, computers, electric vehicles and other devices before the storm arrives.
• If you have a landline, keep a corded phone available in case mobile devices lose power.
• Place a working flashlight with fresh batteries on each floor of your home.

Pepco asks all customers to report outages in any of the following ways:

• Online at pepco.com/storm
• Pepco's free mobile app
• Text message, to 48710 
• Phone, by calling 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662)

Related:

• Hardware Stores Help Prince George's Residents Prepare For Winter Storm
• 15 Winter Events To Beat Cabin Fever In Maryland
• How To Prepare, Safety Tips For MD Weekend Winter Storm