Baltimore residents should brace themselves for a multitude of winter weather conditions today. According to the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC, the region is set to be hit by a wintry mix that is expected to disrupt travel across the area. With temperatures lingering at or below the freezing point, a cocktail of snow, sleet, and freezing rain is anticipated throughout the daylight hours. The NWS warns of ice accretions ranging from a glaze up to a tenth inch. However, areas north of I-70 may see amounts between 0.10 to 0.20 inches, with local higher concentrations possible over western Maryland. An Ice Storm Warning is in effect for Garrett and western Allegany counties, highlighting the risk for significant ice accumulation.
Today's high temperatures are expected to hover just around freezing, making the wintry mix persistent throughout the day. The precipitation should taper off overnight, except for some residual activity over the Allegheny Mountains. Individuals with travel plans should always check the latest conditions at weather.gov/lwx/winter and be ready for potential forecast revisions.
The outlook for Sunday and Monday suggests a brief respite from the wintry onslaught. Expect a calmer start to the new week, with temperatures anticipated to rise into the 40s for much of the area. The Shenandoah Valley and Virginia Piedmont could see temps climbing into the 50s. Be prepared for some gusty conditions in the morning, which should ease into the afternoon. A disturbance could bring a rain/snow mix to the region's southern zones late Sunday into early Monday, though probabilities currently stand at less than 25%.
A very active weather pattern is expected to remain in play through Saturday, February 15. The first of three forecasted systems could lead to a significant snow event on Tuesday, complicating travel and potentially impacting day-to-day activities. The National Weather Service elaborates, "Latest model trends indicate the first system on Tue a bit more suppressed with stronger wedge of high pressure supporting snow as the main p-type." This suggests that snow, rather than rain, could be the prevalent form of precipitation early next week, especially north of I-64. Aviation and marine conditions will also be impacted, with probable restrictions and advisory conditions set to affect various modes of transportation into the middle of the week.
