Snow Chances Increase For MD As Temps Drop: Latest Forecast

MARYLAND — The first snowfall of the year appears to be headed toward Maryland, forecasters say. In fact, it's been described as having the power to bring "road-clogging and branch-bending snow" to the higher elevations in the Northeast.

Over the ridges in West Virginia, western Maryland and the southwestern Pennsylvania mountains, anywhere from 6-12 inches of snow has been forecast, according to AccuWeather. A winter storm warning for Garrett County remains in effect until midnight Friday. Mountain ridgetops there could see as much as 1 to 2 feet of snow with winds gusting as high as 45 mph Friday afternoon into the evening, the National Weather Service has forecast.

In Garrett County, the National Weather Service said roads - especially bridges and overpasses - likely will become slick and hazardous. Visibilities could drop below a quarter of a mile due to falling and blowing snow. Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel "treacherous and potentially life-threatening." Travel could become difficult if not impossible Thursday into Friday morning.

Across the rest of Maryland, any snowfall accumulation would "be a struggle" considering the ground is still warm and air temperatures remain above freezing, according to forecasters. For Thursday night, the National Weather Service has forecasted rain showers that could mix with ice pellets and snowflakes.

There could be enough snow to whiten grassy areas in northern Maryland on Friday, NBC Washington said, with wind chills on Friday morning in the 20s.

"The best chance for seeing flakes will be in our colder areas during the morning before precipitation transitions to mostly rain," the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang said in its Thursday forecast. "Highs are only in the upper 30s to lower 40s as west winds gust up to 30 mph."

A hazardous weather outlook is in place Friday into Saturday for strong winds in Frederick, plus parts of Carroll, Baltimore, Montgomery, Howard, Harford and Washington counties.

While precipitation from the forecasted storm won't alleviate drought conditions and replenish low water levels in streams, lakes and reservoirs, it could help extinguish the risk of brush fires that have been plaguing the state. The state dropped its burn ban on Thursday.

Below is the National Weather Service's extended forecast for the Baltimore area.

Thursday: Scattered showers, mainly between 2pm and 4pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 52. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain showers between 1am and 4am, then a slight chance of snow showers after 4am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. West wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday Night: Scattered showers before 1am. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 37. West wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. West wind 10 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 39.