Snow Squalls Possible, Wind Advisory Issued For Baltimore County

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Strong winds, chilling temperatures and possibly a snow squall are in the forecast for Baltimore County on Wednesday, Jan. 30. Forecasters advise power outages are possible as well as dangerous driving conditions. As evening arrives, a wind chill advisory will be in place.

At 1 p.m., an arctic front was moving across the region, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures may drop 10 degrees in under 30 minutes, weather officials said, and this could cause a flash freeze of untreated surfaces.

A snow squall is also possible, bringing rapidly changing weather and dangerous road conditions. Brief periods of heavy snow and 50 mph wind gusts could occur, and 1 inch of snow may quickly accumulate, weather officials said.

Drivers should stay off the roads during a snow squall.

Slow down and leave extra distance between vehicles after the front passes; and as temperatures fall, keep an eye out for ice.

A wind advisory is in effect from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30, for much of central Maryland, including Baltimore County. It calls for 25 to 35 mph winds with gusts up to 50 mph, that may bring down trees and power lines, resulting in power outages. The National Weather Service issues a wind advisory when winds of 45 to 55 mph are expected that can make driving difficult.

Be prepared! The snow squall is on its way, followed by some gusty winds and dangerously cold temperatures. Use caution and reduce normal travel speeds if driving in these conditions. #MdWx pic.twitter.com/E6U5dKeXRd
— MDTA (@TheMDTA) January 30, 2019

"Snow showers or snow squalls could enhance gusty winds and briefly lower visibility, resulting in very hazardous driving conditions," the National Weather Service advised in a special weather statement. The statement, which cautioned drivers ahead of potential whiteout conditions from heavy wind and blowing snow, applies to Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Harford, Howard and Montgomery counties as well as Baltimore City, DC and parts of Virginia.

Drivers in these areas should slow down and turn on headlights.

"Motorists are urged to use caution if encountering any of these squalls from late this morning through the afternoon," the National Weather Service advised. "A narrow but solid line of heavy snow moving through central Pennsylvania this morning is forecast to move into eastern Pennsylvania and the far northern portions of the Delmarva around noon, then into New Jersey during the afternoon hours. This line of snow represents the leading edge of arctic air that will invade the area later today through Friday."

Here is a snow squall reported Wednesday morning in State College, Pennsylvania:

An intense snow squall moved through the State College area 2 hours ago, producing white out conditions and a one minute sustained wind of 30 mph (gusting to 37.1 mph!) What a sight it was!!! @NWSStateCollege #snowsquall #PAWX pic.twitter.com/79JvTSyfgx
— Nicholas Norman )/ (@Stormin13Norman) January 30, 2019

Continued forecasters: "Snow squalls associated with this line have a history of producing heavy and blowing snow for periods of 10 to 15 minutes, resulting in a rapid reduction of visibility, along with wind gusts in the range of 30 to 50 mph and a quick coating to around an inch of snow accumulation."

Baltimore, Frederick, Carroll, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Washington counties are also under a wind chill advisory from 6 p.m. Wednesday to noon on Thursday.

The advisory calls for wind chills of 10 to 20 degrees below zero in portions of northern Maryland, northwest Virginia and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.

Frostbite may develop in as little as 30 minutes, according to the National Weather Service.

To protect themselves, people going outside should dress in layers, wear a hat and put on gloves.

See the forecast for Harford County from the National Weather Service.

Pictured, snow on I-83 at Shawan Road at 1:15 p.m. and York Road at 1:21 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30. Image via CHART.