Winter Commuting Hazard Issued For MD With Snow In Forecast

BALTIMORE, MD — The National Weather Service has issued a winter commuting hazard for the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., region since snow is possible Wednesday morning.

On Tuesday afternoon the NWS said the commuting hazard for the metros also extends to northeast and southern Maryland.

Forecasters said there is a chance of snow or snow flurries off and on from Tuesday night through New Year's Day. Temperatures will be cold for the rest of the week, with highs in the mid-to upper 30s and overnight lows in the mid-to low 20s.

"There is a potential for hazardous commuting conditions for the Wednesday morning commute," the National Weather Service office said. "A period of light snow is possible (a 30 percent chance) Wednesday morning across the Baltimore/Washington metro areas, as well as northeast and southern Maryland, with a light coating of snow accumulation possible on area roads."

Communities included in the hazard alert are: Baltimore, Cecil, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Charles, St. Marys, Calvert, Montgomery, Howard and Harford counties.

Some of the cities covered include: Reisterstown, Cockeysville, Baltimore, Bowie, Clinton, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, Waldorf, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Columbia, Ellicott City, Jarrettsville, and Aberdeen.

If snow falls during the Wednesday morning rush-hour, many roads could quickly turn icy. "This could lead to dangerous traveling conditions, multiple accidents, and extensive delays," the agency said.

"If commuting Wednesday morning, be aware of the POSSIBILITY of significant travel disruptions. Plan ahead by allowing for extra travel time, and consider using public transportation and telework
options," the NWS alert said.

Here's the latest Maryland weather forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tuesday Afternoon: Scattered flurries before 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 35. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.

Tuesday Night: A chance of flurries between 1am and 3am, then a chance of snow or flurries after 3am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 26. West wind around 9 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday: A chance of snow or flurries before 9am, then a chance of flurries between 9am and noon. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 38. West wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of sprinkles and flurries before midnight, then a chance of flurries. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

New Year's Day: A chance of flurries with a slight chance of snow before 10am, then a chance of flurries between 10am and noon. Sunny, with a high near 32. Northwest wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 22.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 39.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 38.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 38.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.