Early March Madness? Maryland Prepares For Snow
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Are you ready for some March snow? Our area is getting ready for a very dynamic storm with a lot of moisture.
A Winter Storm Warning will go into effect for most of Maryland early Wednesday morning.
Related Story: Tips On How To Prepare For The Winter Weather
Meteorologist Bernadette Woods has a closer look at the forecast.
The storm arrives as a rain/snow mix Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning. The storm really gets started as the rain to snow changeover spreads down toward the city, while the intensity picks up.
Wednesday will be a messy day with heavy snow/sleet/rain with accumulations; winds increase with gusts over 40 mph. This is the peak of the storm.
Overnight Wednesday and Thursday morning will see the rain/snow mix wind down but the high winds continue.
Related Story: BGE Prepares For Approaching Storm
The storm will linger into the early morning hours of Thursday before moving away. One thing we do know is that warmer air is moving our way for Friday. That, in combination with the March sun, would create great melting conditions.
TIMELINE:
Tuesday: A snow/mix starts close to midnight Tuesday or early Wednesday morning. The storm will really pick up overnight Tuesday into Wednesday.
Wednesday: Wednesday is the peak of the storm. The winds will increase and there will be gusts of 40 miles an hour or more. There will be heavy snow/sleet/rain with accumulations, but there will be a battle going on with the snowfall intensity and temperatures slightly above freezing in combination with mixing. (See the below section for accumulation amounts.)
Overnight Wednesday into Thursday: There will still be a rain/snow mix, which will end Thursday. It will be windy and chilly the rest of Thursday.
ACCUMULATIONS:
Temperatures will be close to 32 degrees during a lot of the storm, so rain and sleet could limit snowfall accumulation amounts. We are expecting accumulations of 6-12" north and west of the city. The snow/mix line cuts right through the city. South of the city we are expecting 3-6". Far western Maryland and the mountains could reach more than 12 inches. We are expecting 1-3" for a lot of the Eastern Shore and southern Maryland, then only a mix along the lower Eastern Shore...but with high winds, coastal flooding, and beach erosion.
Drivers should be careful during rush hours on Wednesday and Thursday. There is also a chance of re-freezing at night, but temperatures will be above freezing on Thursday and Friday.
Check: Current Conditions| Radar & Maps
