UPDATE: Snow Less Likely Thursday in Baltimore County

UPDATE (Jan. 17, 12:54 p.m.)—The Baltimore area may have dodged 2013's first snow storm. Conditions have been significantly downgraded from earlier predictions of more than 5 inches of snow in the southern areas of Maryland. 

Thursday afternoon could bring a mix of snow and rain over Baltimore County after 4 p.m. Expect a high temperature around 42 degrees and northwest winds between 3 and 5 mph. Rain and snow may continue between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. with temperatures dipping below 30 degrees, the National Weather Service reports. 

A Winter Storm Watch for Howard, Anne Arundel and Queen Anne's counties and points south, including much of northern Virginia—where more than 5 inches of snow had previously been predicted—has been canceled by the National Weather Service. Those areas may experience less than an inch of snow.

During hazardous weather conditions, the Maryland State Highway Administration asks drivers to try their best to move disabled vehicles onto the shoulder

Drivers should also keep emergency survival kits including the following, according to the SHA: 

• a shovel
• jumper cables
• snacks
• blanket or sleeping bag
• flashlight with extra batteries
• high calorie non-perishable food
• first aid kit
• extra clothes
• bottled water
• a charged cell phone
• kitty litter or other abrasives

For updates on major incidents, delays, estimated travel times and weather conditions, drivers may call the SHA's traffic hotline at 511 or visit md511.org. 

Check Patch for updates. 

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