Winter Storm To Bring Foot Of Snow To MD: Latest Forecast

MARYLAND — A winter storm spreading ice, snow and bitter arctic cold across the country could dump as much as 10 inches of snow across much of Maryland starting Sunday night and wrapping up overnight Tuesday, according to forecasters.

Ice and snow has shut down airports and tied up interstates in the Midwest, and looks to bring similar travel issues to the mid-Atlantic as it moves east. Some Amtrak routes are canceled and the region's three airports are already preparing for flight cancelations with change fees waived in many cases.

A winter storm warning for Maryland goes into effect at 10 p.m. Sunday, and runs through 1 a.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Related: Snowstorm Alters Work Schedule For DC-Area Federal Employees

Gov. Wes Moore has declared a state of preparedness in advance of the elevated winter storm threat from Sunday, Jan. 5, through Monday, Jan. 6. The declaration allows state agencies to mobilize workers to best respond to the winter storm as it moves through.

"Maryland, avoid travel if possible, follow local forecasts, and stay prepared for winter storm hazards," the governor said in a statement.

Heavy mixed precipitation is expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 5 and 10 inches, with amounts of up to 12 inches are possible in isolated spots if heavy banding sets up in this area, the NWS said. Ice accumulations of a trace possible.

The highest snowfall rates will be late Sunday night into early Monday morning. Snow may mix with sleet and perhaps some freezing rain Monday morning into the afternoon, especially right along the Interstate 66 corridor. A lull in precipitation will occur sometime during the
afternoon, the weather service said.

"Conditions will rapidly deteriorate tonight with untreated and unplowed roads becoming impassable for the Monday morning and evening commutes," the National Weather Service said. "During the times of heaviest snowfall, even primary roads may be impassable.

Snowfall rates between 1 to 3 inches per hour are possible between midnight and mid-morning Monday. A second round of heavy snow is likely Monday evening before precipitation ends Monday night.

Higher elevations in western Maryland are the most likely to see snow totals of 15 inches, AccuWeather said.

“AccuWeather snow experts are increasingly concerned about dangerous travel impacts from heavy snow across parts of the mid-Atlantic, including Washington, D.C., and the Baltimore metropolitan areas," said AccuWeatherChief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter.

Slippery conditions can be expected as the storm moves into the area, disrupting travel for many across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic from late Sunday through Monday.

Amtrak has canceled some train routes between Washington, D.C., and Boston from Sunday to Tuesday, according to its website.

The four major airlines serving Baltimore, DC and Northern Virginia — American, Delta, Southwest and United — are waiving change fees for flights affected by the winter storm.

Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration crews have pretreated state-maintained roads and the agency urged drivers to limit unnecessary travel.
Drivers can find the latest information on the Statewide Transportation Operations Resource Map, which identifies where State Highway Administration and contractual equipment are and where they have been, as well as real-time weather information.

For real-time roadway information and to view live traffic cameras, go to roads.maryland.gov.

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

Sunday Afternoon: Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. West wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Sunday Night: Snow, mainly after 11pm. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 25. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Monday: Snow before 4pm, then snow likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 28. East wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Monday Night: Snow likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain, becoming all snow after 7pm, then gradually ending. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 19. Northwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. Northwest wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.