Freeze Warning, Frost Advisory Issued For Much Of Maryland

MARYLAND — Spring's sudden disappearance will extend in Maryland through Friday morning. Much of the state is under either a freeze warning or a frost advisory due to overnight temperatures projected to be in the 30s.

The Baltimore-Washington area experienced a 10- to 15-degree temperature drop in a matter of minutes on Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

Flurries were spotted from Perryville to Baltimore Thursday morning as temperatures hovered in the 30s before rising in the afternoon.

As of 1 p.m. Thursday, weather officials reported it was 44 degrees in Aberdeen, 45 degrees in Gaithersburg, 47 degrees in Annapolis and 50 degrees in Ocean City.

It will remain "unseasonably cold" Thursday in Maryland, the National Weather Service said in a statement, noting more moderate temperatures are on the way this weekend.

Current temperatures across the area are well below normal for this time of year. Gusty NW winds will continue over the next several hours before calming tonight. pic.twitter.com/PMAQFlM0KN
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) April 22, 2021

First, a freeze warning will take effect from 2 to 9 a.m. Friday for these areas:

• Baltimore County (northern)
• Harford County (northwest)
• Howard County (northwest)
• Montgomery County (southeast, south-central)

Frost and freeze conditions in these counties could kill crops and sensitive vegetation and may damage unprotected outdoor plumbing, according to the warning. People in areas under the freeze warning should drain and wrap pipes, drain and cover in-ground sprinkler systems and cover above-ground pipes so they do not freeze, the National Weather Service advises.

The National Weather Service issued a frost advisory for seven counties in Maryland and Baltimore City. Effective from 2 to 9 a.m. Friday, the advisory states that sensitive outdoor vegetation may be killed by frost if left uncovered.

These areas are under the frost advisory, which applies mainly to areas east of Interstate 95, according to the National Weather Service:

• Anne Arundel County
• Baltimore City
• Baltimore County
• Calvert County
• Cecil County
• Charles County
• Harford County
• Prince George's County
• St. Mary's County
• District of Columbia
• Northern Virginia

Officials said these cities in particular may be impacted by the frost: Aberdeen, Annapolis, Arnold, Baltimore, Bowie, California, Camp Springs, Chesapeake Beach, Clinton, College Park, Elkton, Glen Burnie, Greenbelt, Huntingtown, Laurel, Lexington Park, Lusby, Odenton, Severn, Severna Park, South Gate, Suitland-Silver Hill, St. Charles, Waldorf and Washington.

A gale warning is in effect for the upper tidal Potomac River until 6 p.m. Thursday, and a special marine warning was issued due to the potential for hail in parts of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries until 4:15 p.m.

Special Marine Warning including the Chesapeake Bay from Pooles Island to Sandy Point MD, Chesapeake Bay from Sandy Point to North Beach MD, Eastern Bay, Chester River to Queenstown MD and Patapsco River including Baltimore Harbor until 4:15 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/mHngtv2GSr
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) April 22, 2021

Check the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.

More seasonal temperatures are expected to arrive soon, with highs in the 60s from Friday through the weekend.

Patch editor Eric Heyl contributed to this report.