'Significant' Weekend Snowstorm Possible In MD: What We Know

Near-record cold temperatures and significant snowfall are possible in Maryland this coming weekend, with one forecast calling for a foot of snow blanketing the region, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm will arrive Saturday afternoon and continue through Sunday night, forecasters said.

Precise details on the storm remain unclear and could take better shape in the coming days. But, WBAL-TV is forecasting 5 to 8 inches of snowfall possible on Saturday night, plus another 3 to 5 inches of snow on Sunday.

"A potent cold front pushes through the region late Thursday into Friday, followed by a reinforcing Arctic front late Friday into Saturday," the Baltimore-DC office of the National Weather Service said. "Well below average temperatures are forecast, especially by Sunday. Extremely cold temperatures are becoming likely Saturday night into next week, with lows in the single digits and wind chills at or below zero. Near-record low temperatures are possible during this time."

Overnight low temperatures could drop to 11 degrees to 14 degrees Friday through Sunday nights, the NWS said.

Temperatures will be a warm 48 degrees on Thursday, but daytime highs will plummet to the low 20s Saturday through Monday.

"The ingredients are coming into place for a long-duration storm that brings a substantial amount of snow," for numerous states, Accuweather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said.

“Cold air will still be in place the weekend of Jan. 24-25, and there is a signal that there can be a storm during that period, which can help to usher snow across the eastern U.S.," added AccuWeather Meteorologist Peyton Simmers.

Here's the full Maryland forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 27. West wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Tuesday Night
Clear, with a low around 17. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Light southeast wind becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. South wind 5 to 11 mph.

Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. Light southwest wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.

Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 35.

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11.

Saturday
A chance of snow after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 20. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night
Snow likely, mainly after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 14. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday
Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 22. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday Night
A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 25.