Winter Storm Warning: Howard County Faces 4 To 8 Inches Of Snow

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Forecasters are predicting over half a foot of snow in Howard County for the first couple of days of spring; the new season started on Tuesday, March 20. The National Weather Service is calling for up to 8 inches of wet snow by Wednesday evening. A thin layer of ice is also possible from a snow-sleet mix.

The National Weather Service has now issued a winter weather warning for Howard County from 2 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, calling for 4 to 8 inches of snow. A separate warning for northern Baltimore and Harford counties calls for at least 6 to 12 inches of wet snow between Tuesday night and Wednesday evening. The warning for northern Baltimore County goes into effect at 8 p.m. Tuesday and runs through 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

"Significant snowfall accumulations are possible," the National Weather Service said in a hazardous weather outlook for the region. State highway crews have pre-treated highways and bridges in the northern Maryland counties for snow, high winds and flooding, officials reported on Monday.

A Winter Storm Warning has also been issued for Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Prince George's, and Montgomery counties, where 4 to 8 inches of snow is expected. That warning takes effect at 2 a.m. and will run through 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Here is the National Weather Service forecast for Columbia:

Tuesday, March 20: Rain (before noon), rain and sleet (noon to 3 p.m.) and snow and sleet (after 3 p.m.), with 100 percent chance of precipitation. New snow/sleet accumulation will be one inch. The high is 34 degrees but temps will fall to 27 degrees by 2 p.m., with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Wednesday, March 21: The wintry mix will turn to all snow after 3 a.m. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches of snow possible. High of 36 degrees and low of 28. Wind gusts as high as 20 mph.

Thursday, March 22: Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

The Maryland State Highway Administration reported Monday that its crews have already treated roads and bridges; cleared storm drains of debris; and prepped chainsaws, chippers, generators and "road closed" signs in the event of storm damage.

If traffic signals are out, drivers are reminded they are required by law to treat them as four-way stops or stop signs.

AAA offers the following tips for driving on snowy or icy roads:

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly; it takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• Turn the steering wheel in the direction your wheels are going if you start to skid. Do not hit brakes or gas.
• Increase following distance.
• Use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don't stop if you can help it. Slow down enough to stay moving until a traffic light changes.
• Don't speed up or stop going uphill. Try to get momentum going on a flat surface before you reach a hill and let inertia carry you to the top. At the crest of the hill, reduce your speed. Proceed as slowly as possible.

Graphic via the National Weather Service.