Snowfall In This Weekend's Forecast For Maryland: Reports

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The skies may be clear over Maryland, but if it's January, it's time for snow, possibly as soon as this weekend, say media reports. Forecasters with the National Weather Service’s Baltimore/Washington office are predicting at least some measurable snowfall for the region on Saturday, the Capital Gazette reported Tuesday.

Computer models say the snow could range from a dusting to as much as 9 inches across Maryland, the District and Virginia, according to media reports. Two inches or so seems like close to Washington, D.C., the Washington Post Capital Weather Gang says, while Charlottesville and Richmond could see 8 or 9 inches.

For the Baltimore region, the National Weather Service on Tuesday said that forecasts call for sunny days through Friday with high temperatures dropping from the mid-40s to the high 30s, and nighttime forecasts in the 20s.

But there's a 40 percent chance that snow will fall on Saturday, rising to 60 percent on Saturday night, the weather service said. The forecast calls for a high of 34 degrees on Saturday, falling to 28 degrees after sundown.

The latest forecast models suggest the worst conditions may come on Sunday, the Capital Weather Gang writes. Sunday morning into the afternoon is when snow may accumulate, making roads and sidewalks slick. Below-freezing temperatures then should let the snow stick. There may also be a short burst of snow on Saturday afternoon.

FOR MORE: Up To 9" Snow Possible In DC, And More May Be On The Way

The arrival of snow in the region depends on the directions of two weather systems, one bearing cold air from Canada and the other carrying moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, the Capital Gazette reported.

A gale warning is in effect for the Chesapeake Bay, the weather service says. Isolated wind damage is possible from wind gusts up to 50 mph through Thursday morning. The gale warning may need to be extended into Thursday.

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