March is roaring in like a lion with once again another wintry mess. Winter Weather Advisories have been issued for most of Maryland from 10pm Thursday through 10am Friday morning. A quick moving area of low pressure riding along the "Southern Branch" of the jetstream will head our way from the south and west overrunning cold air produced by a blocking high pressure system to the north. The combination of the two equal the perfect ingredients for disruptive snow.
TIMING
Model consensus suggest the wintry weather moving in 12-3am Friday morning from the south and west. Temperatures at this time will sit at or slightly below freezing making for an all snow situation. As it stands now the morning rush will be treacherous especially the further north and west of the city where temperatures are a bit colder.
Snow intensity is at it's heaviest Friday between 3-7am before things start to transition over to a little sleet and plain rain. Most of this will occur as the system departs during the mid afternoon hours. A little drizzle and a few flurries can't be ruled out late Friday evening into early Saturday morning. This will be a HIGH impact event for travel since SNOW looks to arrive and stick before the Friday morning commute. Even out along the Eastern Shore from US-50 to US-301 slippery travel conditions are likely with lesser amounts of snow/ice expected.
ACCUMULATIONS & ROAD CONDITIONS
Snow totals with this storm are a bit of a challenge with this system based upon the quickness of low and moisture available . Areas such as Carroll, northern Baltimore, northern Harford, and Frederick counties will see the heaviest amounts of snow with localized spots of 4". Further south in Baltimore and along the I-95 Corridor, 1-3" of snow is likely before the changeover to sleet and rain showers. Tricky travel will be widespread due to the timing of the precip coming in before the morning rush hour commute.
Plan accordingly for dangerous travel concerns as anything that is snow will freeze immediately especially on those elevated surfaces. Road conditions should improve pretty quickly by mid to late morning once the precipitation starts to taper.
NORTHERN BALTIMORE, NORTHERN HARFORD, FREDERICK, CARROLL, & WASHINGTON COUNTIES
Snow moves in Friday morning between (2am-5am). Light snow takes over from there before mixing with sleet from 9am through 3pm Wednesday. Road conditions are likely to be impacted fairly quickly as temperatures hover around 28-32 degrees during the duration of the event. Areas around South Mountain and along US-15 toward the Catochtins could see snow amounts around 4"+. US-340 toward Boonsboro/Brunswick and I-70 West Hancock/Sideling Hill likely to see 2-4"+ amounts as well due to extra lift from the mountains.
Slick travel is likely especially on elevated surfaces such as I-83 from the City north to Parkton. Problems are also likely to occur north of MD 136, MD 152, and the PA/MD line even with amounts there around 2-4".
BALTIMORE CITY, CECIL, KENT, CAROLINE, & HOWARD COUNTIES
Slippery roads are likely especially on elevated surfaces such as I-83, I-97, I-695, US- 301, and I-95 from Canton to Glen Burnie/Columbia. Problems are also likely to occur north of MD 29 and MD 32 back toward Mount Airy with amounts there around 4-6". Most areas like Towson, Hampden, Middle River, Essex, Columbia, Catonsville, Ellicott City, West Friendship, White Marsh, & Middle River are looking at 1-2" of snow with some localized spots topping 3".
SOUTHERN BALTIMORE, ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTIES, & LOWER EASTERN SHORE POINTS SOUTH
Light snow will last through Wednesday morning rush with 1-2" expected. The changeover to all rain occurs during the afternoon Wednesday and carries into Thursday morning as temperatures sit 31-36 degrees. Slick travel is likely on US-50 and I-295 south with some sleet mixed in at times.
ALLEGANY & GARRETT COUNTIES, I-68 WEST
Snow amounts upwards of 2-4"+ likely. Those areas above 2,000 ft such as Cumberland, Frostburg, Keysers Ridge, Big Savage Mountain and Oakland could see the snow amounts closer to 4". Snow covered roads and dangerous travel concerns as temperatures hang out around 26-30 degrees.
ANOTHER STORM & A SHOT OF BRUTAL COLD
Our storm system departs pretty quickly Friday evening leaving in it's wake another storm to follow.This storm system looks to arrive Sunday with a start as rain transitioning over to snow. Track uncertainty remains so stay tuned. Behind this storm comes the colder air for the beginning and middle of next week.
