Snow Storm on the Way

(UPDATED 5:18 p.m.) A winter weather advisory remains in effect until 6 a.m. Monday as Baltimore County is bracing for a storm that is expected to drop up to four inches in certain portions of the region, according to the National Weather Service.

Light snow is expected to spread through the area and continue during the afternoon and evening hours. Expect temperatures to reach  around 30 today and fall to the lower to mid-20s tonight. The National Weather Service also advises there may be  wind gusts increasing to up to 35 mph this afternoon and up to 40 mph tonight.

A winter weather advisory means periods of snow will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities and use caution while driving.

This differs from earlier predictions of up to eight inches of snow in the Baltimore area when a winter storm warning was in effect. A winter storm warning for heavy snow means severe winter conditions are expected or occuring. Only travel in emergency if you need to travel at all.

"The storm is moving slower than expected from the south, which means there 
is a smaller window for snow in the area," said Calvin Meadows of the National Weather Service. "It's going to be tight line of where you get snow and don't get snow. It's not going to be one of those storms where you see a greater amount in one area and less in others."

The Eastern Shore appears to be where most of the snow should fall, with nine to 14 inches of accumulation possible, with the heaviest snow coming between 2 and 10 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Gov. Martin O'Malley declared a state of emergency late Saturday night, which enables him to call in the Maryland National Guard if needed.

"Maryland National Guard Units are prepared to assist local emergency managers and first responders around the state," O'Malley said in a statement. "Because this is a holiday weekend, we have to be prepared for travelers returning home. Still, we urge residents to avoid driving except for the most urgent reasons. If drivers stay off the roads it will help the dedicated state and local highway crews clear the roads in a safe and efficient manner."

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency also moved to a Level 3 activation at 7 a.m. Sunday, bringing in representatives of key response agencies for transportation, law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services and health into the State Emergency Operations Center.

"The predicted path of this storm changed significantly today and we are exercising an abundance of caution by taking these actions," said Richard Muth, executive director of the Maryland Emergency Management Agency. "The unpredictability of this storm system and the fact that this is a heavy travel time makes these moves prudent."

The Maryland State Highway Administration and Maryland Transportation Authority have 2,400 pieces of equipment and 2,700 personnel available to respond. State transportation officials monitor storm from SHA's Statewide Operations Center in Hanover, where it has centralized communications and access to more than 150 traffic cameras located around the state.

 State Highway Administration officials said they have been preparing for the storm since Tuesday and have tried to prepare for the worst as the track of this storm has been highly unpredictable.

"This storm went from nothing, to a foot to where we are now, so we're ready for the high end," SHA spokesman David Buck said. "With schools being off this week, travel should be lighter than normal, but we will work to keep roads passable."

County snow fighting operations got underway late this afternoon.

"It's been a long day of doing nothing," said Tim Burgess, chief of the county Bureau of Highways. "We've been waiting for this storm to develop a little bit."

Burgess said original predictions of 10 inches for the area are not panning out and forecasts he is seeing are calling for three to six inches.

"Even that might be a lot," Burgess said.

"Right now we'll be salting the roads and we'll see if we have to develop a plowing program," Burgess said. "It kind of depends on how the salt works. This looks like if it gets to be an inch-and-a-half, we'll be plowing."

Burgess said that traffic has been light and his trucks have had no problems putting down salt on the county's 2,600 miles of roads. He believes the light traffic bodes well for any plowing that might have to happen later tonight.

"We'll have a free go at it tonight that's for sure," Burgess said.

County residents can keep up on the county's snow removal efforts on its website and on Twitter @BaCoSnowfighter.

Maryland Aviation Administration spokesman Jonathan Dean said there have been snow-removal crews on hand at BWI-Marshall Airport since early Sunday and they are ready for any weather that may come through the area. Still, Dean said the storm has caused cancellations and delays of many flights and urges travelers to check with their airlines for up-to-the-minute flight information.

"These delays could go on into the night and into Monday so please check to make sure when and/or if you flight is scheduled to depart," Dean said.