Winter Storm Could Drop Snow, Ice On MD: Timing, What To Expect

A winter storm system is expected to track farther north on Friday and could drop the first measurable snow of the season on parts of Maryland while also complicating the morning commute, according to the latest forecasts.

The fast-moving storm tracking over the eastern United States will tap into cold air to produce ice and snow over portions of the mid-Atlantic states, AccuWeather forecasters wrote on Thursday.

"There will be plenty of cold air in place ahead of the storm, so much of the precipitation can fall as snow or ice along the northern edge," AccuWeather Senior Director of Forecast Operations Dan DePodwin said. "The significant question for now and as the storm gets underway is: How far north can the snow spread before running into overwhelmingly dry air?"

While it won't be a big storm, the system is still expected to move through the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metro areas on Friday and could coincide with the morning commute.

Ahead of the storm, the National Weather Service issued a potential winter commuting hazard alert for the entire region.

According to the NWS, a period of light snow is possible Friday morning across the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metro areas, with up to an inch of snow accumulation on untreated roadways.

If the snow does materialize during the Friday morning rush hour, many roads could quickly turn icy, leading to dangerous traveling conditions, multiple accidents and extensive delays, forecasters warned.

In addition, light snow or freezing drizzle accumulations may also impact the evening commute as the storm system is slow to depart late Friday afternoon and evening.

The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang released the following timeline for snowfall on Friday:

• 3 to 7 a.m.: Light snow develops from southwest to northeast but may not reach northern Maryland. Temperatures 25 to 30.
• 7 to 11 a.m.: Light snow, steadiest south of the Beltway. Flurries or just cloudy skies in northern Maryland. Temperatures rising to 28 to 32.
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Light snow and flurries taper off from west to southeast. Northern areas may just have cloudy skies. Temperatures rising to 30 to 34.
• Late afternoon and evening: A few flurries or even a little freezing drizzle could linger in Southern Maryland in the late afternoon; otherwise, remaining mostly cloudy. Afternoon highs from 30 to 35 dip into the upper 20s and low 30s after sunset.

"For most of the D.C. area, a dusting to an inch is most probable, although amounts could climb to 1 to 2 inches in north-central Virginia (including Fredericksburg) and southern Maryland (including Waldorf)," the Capital Weather Gang wrote. "The Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories from around Fredericksburg southward."

Here's a look at the detailed forecast for the Baltimore region through the weekend:

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 42. Northwest wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

Thursday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 22. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.

Friday: Snow likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night: A slight chance of snow before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.

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

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 44.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.