Snow Emergency Plan Lifted In Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The snow emergency plan has been lifted in Howard County. During a snow emergency drivers cannot park on designated snow routes. State and local officials urged people to stay off the roads during that period.

The snow emergency plan was in effect from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday Feb. 20.

(PREVIOUS REPORT: Expired as of 11 p.m. on Wednesday) — Howard County is under a snow emergency plan as of 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20. In a snow emergency, state police may immediately authorize the towing of vehicles parked on snow emergency routes as well as those left in roads or on shoulders.

Also under a snow emergency plan, vehicles must be equipped with snow tires (all-weather tires are fine), chains or all-season radials to be allowed to drive on Maryland highways.

Drivers should slow down if they must travel.

Howard County is under a winter storm warning until 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

About 1 inch of snow per hour will fall through late Wednesday morning, according to the winter storm warning, which calls for 3 to 6 inches of snow in Howard County.

Snow will change to sleet and freezing rain between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., continuing as freezing rain through late Wednesday afternoon before transitioning to straight rain Wednesday night, according to the National Weather Service.

Travel will be hazardous during the winter storm warning period. The weight of the snow, sleet and freezing rain could cause branches to fall and isolated power outages to occur, according to the warning.

Howard County Closings For Wednesday, Feb. 20

Howard County government is closed on Wednesday, Feb. 20, due to the snowstorm.

The Howard County Public School System is also closed.

Howard Community College is closed.

All Howard County Library System branches are closed due to the weather.

Curbside trash and recycling has been canceled Wednesday in Howard County, with a slide schedule in effect for the rest of the week.

The Alpha Ridge Landfill is closed Wednesday.

See the status of the snow emergency plan.

Image via CHART.