The first major snowfall of the year is expected Monday.
[ SEE THE LATEST | Tracking Maryland’s first major snowfall of the year (Updated Monday, Jan. 3) ]
Parts of Baltimore could get 3 to 5 inches of snow and Annapolis could get up to 7 inches overnight into Monday afternoon, forecasters said Sunday night. Southern Maryland, the Eastern Shore and the Washington, D.C., area also are expected to see heavy snowfall.
Less snow, around 1 to 3 inches, was expected in north central, northeast and northern Maryland, which includes Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick and Harford counties and portions of Baltimore City, according to forecasters at the National Weather Service.
As of late Sunday afternoon, a winter weather advisory was in effect for Baltimore City and southern Baltimore County, while a winter storm warning was in effect for Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s counties, plus Washington and much of the Eastern Shore, and portions of Howard and Montgomery counties.
Several school systems, including Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Cecil, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s counties, will close Monday in response to the forecasts. Carroll County Public Schools will start the day two hours late and will reevaluate Monday morning.
[ Some COVID testing and vaccination sites in Maryland to close Monday due to snow forecasts ]
Baltimore City schools will stay closed Monday and Tuesday to allow students and staff more time to get tested before returning from winter break.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said the state on Sunday activated a governmentwide response that included the emergency management, transportation and state police divisions to prepare for the incoming storm that “could have a significant impact on roads and transportation systems.” He urged Marylanders to use “common sense” and listen to forecasters.
The snowstorm will come after an unseasonably mild Sunday, with a high temperature of 65 degrees for Baltimore. But a cold front moving into the area overnight will drop temperatures below freezing. The low temperature for Sunday night is 30 degrees.
Precipitation could begin in the early morning, National Weather Service forecaster Kyle Pallozzi said. It may start as rain in the Baltimore area, but will likely switch to snow that becomes steady as the night goes on.
“Of course the ground will probably stay a little warm, so snow might have a little trouble sticking until it comes down very heavily,” Pallozzi said. “But if it snows heavy enough, that can kind of overwhelm the warm ground and start to accumulate.”
The snow is likely to impact the morning commute, and could continue until midafternoon on Monday. The forecast “worst case scenario” for Baltimore is 6 to 8 inches, Pallozzi said. But as of Sunday afternoon, forecasters were expecting 4 to 6 inches for Baltimore, 3 to 4 inches north of the city and higher totals south of the city. Annapolis could get 6 to 8 inches and La Plata and Lexington Park could get 6 to 12.
Snowfall could last until around 1 p.m. in the Baltimore area, according to weather service reports, and about 4 p.m. in the Washington area.
“If that storm continues to track north, we could get upward of a half a foot in Baltimore, so there is some uncertainty at the moment,” Pallozzi said. “But right now, it kind of looks like the further south you go, the better chance you have given heavier snow.”
It’s likely to be the season’s first significant snowfall for the region. No more than trace amounts of snow have been measured at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport since the winter began, according to NWS reports.
Maryland emergency management officials cautioned residents to avoid travel during the precipitation event. They also asked Marylanders to keep devices charged in cases of power outages; stock emergency travel kits with masks, hand sanitizers and other COVID-related supplies; and heed local forecasts and state alerts.
When venturing outdoors, NWS forecasters said, people should expect wet and slippery conditions. Watch for ice on steps, sidewalks and driveways, forecasters said. Those who need to commute are encouraged to keep food, water and flashlights in the car in case of an emergency.
The public also can call 511 or visit md511.org for travel updates and subscribe to text message alerts by messaging “MdReady” to 898211.
The Baltimore City Department of Public Works announced that the following operations are being suspended Monday so that DPW crews can assist with emergency snow operations: bulk collections; street sweeping and alley cleaning; cleaning and boarding; SIU/fire debris; and graffiti removal.
Cold temperatures will continue into the week, with a high temperature of 37 degrees Monday, 40 degrees Tuesday, 47 degrees Wednesday and 44 degrees Thursday. More snow is possible Thursday night, forecasters said.