MD Weather: Winter Storm Warning For 9 Counties, 7 Inches Of Snow

MARYLAND — Weather forecasts have increased the snowfall amounts expected for nine Maryland counties and increased storm watches to winter storm warnings.

Maximum snowfall amounts of 5 inches are expected by Sunday in central Maryland, while northern counties could see up to 7 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service.

"Snow is expected to begin between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. (Sunday), and may briefly mix with rain at first. The heaviest snow is expected between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., when visibility may be reduced to a quarter mile and snowfall rates could reach one inch per hour," the NWS said Saturday.

Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Charles, Montgomery, Howard and Carroll counties are under a winter storm warning from 3 a.m. to noon Sunday. Total snow amounts of 3 to 6 inches are possible.

Travel could be very difficult, the weather service said.

Carroll, Cecil, Baltimore and Harford counties are under a winter storm warning from 5 a.m. to noon Sunday. Heavy snow is expected that could total 4 to 7 inches.

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A winter storm watch is in effect for much of the state calling for 5 or more inches of heavy snow from midnight to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Areas in the watch include: Baltimore, Cecil, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Charles, St. Mary, Calvert, Montgomery, Howard, and Harford counties.

The District of Columbia and much of northern Virginia are also included in the winter storm watch.

The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang says it expects heavy snow from the Baltimore-DC region north to Boston.

"The issue with this system isn’t necessarily how much snow will fall but how quickly it will come down," The Post said. "The snow will last only about six hours in most spots, but snowfall rates could exceed an inch per hour. In fact, there is the potential for this system to overachieve, with two-inch-per-hour snowfall rates not entirely out of the question."

While weather should clear up Sunday night, another round of snow, freezing rain and sleet is predicted to move through the region Monday night.

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration asked drivers to stay home. If you must travel, follow these guidelines:

• Don’t crowd the plow. Give snowplows a wide berth on all sides.
• Clear your car completely before driving. Snow can fall off your moving vehicle and create a hazard for other drivers.
• Go slow on ice and snow. Posted speed limits are for ideal weather conditions, so drive about 10 mph slower than usual.
• Elevated road surfaces such as bridges, ramps and overpasses freeze first — remain extra vigilant.

Real-time weather and traffic information is available at md511.maryland.gov. Customers can also view the Statewide Transportation Operations Resources Map (STORM) web application, which provides a tracking of MDOT SHA winter operations.

Here's the latest weather forecast from the National Weather Service:

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. West wind 8 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Saturday night: Snow likely, mainly after 4am. Cloudy, with a low around 32. Light and variable wind becoming east around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Sunday: Snow, possibly mixing with rain after 1pm, then gradually ending. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 40. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 19. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 33. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.

Monday night: A slight chance of snow before 2am, then a slight chance of snow and freezing rain between 2am and 3am, then a slight chance of freezing rain after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday: A chance of sleet before 10am, then a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.