Winter Storm: Baltimore County Faces 8 To 12 Inches Of Snow

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — An updated forecast suggests that our chance of getting multiple inches of snow on Tuesday and Wednesday in Baltimore County has markedly increased with 8 to 12 inches of snow now possible from the winter storm. State highway crews have been out pre-treating highways and bridges in the northern Maryland counties for snow, high winds and flooding.

The National Weather Service has now issued a winter weather warning for southern Baltimore 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 A thin layer of ice is also possible from a snow-sleet mix. The warning for northern Baltimore County goes into effect at 8 p.m. Tuesday and runs through 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

Next, the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area is under a winter storm watch Wednesday from 2 a.m. until 8 p.m. A winter storm watch means there is potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Weather officials say that 5 inches of snow or more are possible.

There are two weather systems moving through the area, according to WJZ. First, a low-pressure system moving in Tuesday evening will deliver a mix of rain, snow and sleet; then a wet snow will blanket the region on Wednesday, particularly Wednesday morning.

Drivers should be aware that wintry weather could impact roads as early as Tuesday morning.

"Plan on slippery road conditions, including during the morning commute on Tuesday," the National Weather Service said in the winter weather advisory. "Plan on difficult travel conditions." Visibility may be limited.

The Maryland State Highway Administration reported Monday that it has 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 National Weather Service.