MD Snow Forecast: 3 Inches Likely Monday, Snow Squalls Possible Friday

MARYLAND — Maryland could see multiple inches of snow on Monday and slushy snow squalls on Friday, drawing a winter weather advisory. The winter storms coincide with the arrival of a blast of arctic air that will send nighttime lows into the teens multiple times over the next week.

Meteorologists are more concerned about Monday's storm with minimal to no accumulation expected from Friday's wintry mix.

With Monday's storm still days away, computer models vary significantly in their snowfall projections.

WBFF said the most conservative model predicts 3 inches of snow, while the most liberal forecasts a foot. Most meteorologists expect the accumulation to fall on the lower end.

"While it's too early to provide specific snowfall totals, many locations could see over 3 to 4 inches of accumulation,"a WJZ forecast story said. "Based on the latest storm track, the heaviest snow is expected across central and southern Maryland, where sleet and freezing rain may mix in over far southern areas."

WJZ forecasted lighter but still impactful snow accumulation further north near the Pennsylvania border.

"Models still vary on how much snow the area will get during that storm and will depend on the ... positioning of the system that could change by Monday," a WBAL forecast story said. "We could see multiple inches if it hits us directly and less snow if it lands further south."

The snow is expected to start late Sunday night and continue into Monday. There's a 90% chance of precipitation.

There's a 40% to 60% chance of at least moderate winter impacts in central Maryland, the National Weather Service forecasted.

Friday's storm is part of a low-pressure clipper system. The front is expected to arrive in the afternoon, leaving a sloppy evening commute.

The NWS expects a wintry mix with more snow north of Baltimore.

"One to locally two inches is possible in this swath since the duration may be longer, with any snow being much more brief to the south," the NWS said in a forecast discussion.

Most areas will see one to three hours of snowfall.

The NWS issued a winter weather advisory for north-central and northeast Maryland along with the upper Eastern Shore. The advisory lasts from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and covers Baltimore City and portions of Frederick, Carroll, Baltimore, Harford, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's and Caroline counties.

"Snow could be moderate to heavy at times, with the potential for snow squalls," the advisory said. "These conditions can result in rapid reductions of visibility and snow accumulation on roadways, even if temperatures are initially above freezing."

Accuweather expects the arctic blast to linger through mid-January, with temperatures at least 12 degrees below historical averages. Some states could see temperatures plunge 25 degrees colder than normal.

In central Maryland, nighttime temperatures could drop to around 20 degrees Friday through Wednesday, when the low is 14 degrees.

Here's the NWS's seven-day forecast at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport:

Friday: Rain showers likely between 1pm and 2pm, then rain and snow showers. High near 41. Southwest wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night: Snow showers before 7pm. Low around 24. Northwest wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 33. Breezy, with a west wind 16 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 19. West wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. West wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Sunday Night: Snow, mainly after 1am. Low around 24. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Monday: Snow. High near 32. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Monday Night: A chance of snow before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 32.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 31.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 14.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 28