At 9 a.m. we're starting to see flakes on the WeatherDeck in Cockeysville, the first of what is still anticipated to be a minor brush with wintry precipitation today. The weather service is reminding Marylanders that even a little snow can become slippery. And Eric the Red sees a chance this will be a shade bigger than advertised.
Intellicast shows the snow really well on its radar image. It seems to be focused mainly across the northern tier of Maryland counties for now.
The National Weather Service expects this one - the first of two this weekend - to drop no more than an inch before turning to a mix of rain and snow Friday afternoon.
They have issued a reminder that even a little snow can be problematic for the unwary: "SNOWFALL WILL MAKE UNTREATED ROADS SLIPPERY IN SPOTS CAUSING DIFFICULT DRIVING CONDITIONS. PLEASE REMEMBER TO LEAVE PLENTY OF DISTANCE BETWEEN OTHER VEHICLES AND ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR
DESTINATION."
There's a slight (20 percent) chance of a second round between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday.
Here's Eric the Red, a professional forecast from Baltimore, on the first round: "Expect a period of light to maybe even moderate snow for several hours during the late morning and early afternoon. Up to an inch is possible as this system swings thru. Should be done by the eve rush... or so I hope."
UPDATE, 9:45 a.m.: Eric the Red is now sensing more of an issue with this clipper. "Hmmm... radar is getting very interesting. Snow is increasing in intensity and coverage... so maybe I should up the ante a hair. An inch of snow now seems likely... and some areas might get 2". Still looks to be over before the eve rush. Reports west of DC and Baltimore are coming in with light to moderate snow... visibilty down to 1/2 mile."
AccuWeather.com seems unimpressed by these clippers.
Forecasters continue to watch their models as they conjure up the next worrisome storm. It hasn't actually formed yet, but the models foresee it coming together by early next week. The storm track remains critical and unknown.
AccuWeather.com is no closer to figuring it out: "Whether or not the storm is able to make the entire run up the Atlantic Seaboard or slip out to sea halfway up is uncertain at this time. However, that path is critical for determining the heavy snow area in the mid-Atlantic and New England. At this point, we can say there is at least a chance of another snowstorm for part of the I-95 zone and others in the Northeast during the middle of next week."