Maryland Batters Through Second Major Snowstorm
Maryland is digging out from under a second major snowstorm in less than a week, with meaningful snowfall impacting the Baltimore-Washington area adn prompting a state of emergency. the storm, which began Sunday evening, dumped over six inches of snow at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood marshall Airport by monday morning, leading to widespread school closures and travel disruptions.
Governor Wes Moore addressed the state Monday afternoon, urging residents to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel.”We are asking the people of this state to remain vigilant,” Moore stated during a press conference at the Maryland Department of Transportation headquarters. He highlighted the proactive measures taken by state agencies, emphasizing that preparations began “not for hours but for days.”
The Governor’s plea for residents to stay off the roads was echoed by state officials. “please stay off the roads,” Moore stressed. “Unless there is an emergency or a reason you need to be on the roads,please stay off and allow the emergency personnel to be able to ensure that we can keep the roads clear.”
Baltimore City officials issued their own warnings, advising residents of hazardous road conditions due to snow and ice. City crews focused on clearing primary and secondary routes,urging residents to report untreated streets via 311.
The heaviest snowfall subsided around noon in Baltimore, but forecasters predicted a second wave of winter weather in the evening. Kyle Pallozzi, an NWS meteorologist, anticipated an additional 1 to 3 inches of snow between 5 and 10 p.m.
- Annapolis: 9.5 inches
- Baltimore: 4 inches
- Bel Air: 2.8 inches
- BWI Marshall Airport: 6.3 inches
- Columbia: 5.8 inches
- Churchville: 4.5 inches
- Crownsville: 8.7 inches
- Eldersburg: 4.5 inches
- Laurel: 6.8 inches
- Martin State Airport: 4.5 inches
- Mount Airy: 4.8 inches
- Owings Mills: 7.1 inches
- Randallstown: 3.5 inches
- Sykesville: 5.3 inches
- Westminster: 3.5 inches
With freezing temperatures expected throughout the week, FOX45 Chief Meteorologist Gerard Jebaily warned that the accumulated snow is likely to remain. “Whatever’s not scooped up isn’t going anywhere,” he commented, adding that the Eastern Shore could see over 3 inches in the second wave of snowfall. Overnight lows were predicted to be in the teens for much of the Baltimore region until Thursday night.
Maryland State Police Secretary Col. Roland Butler expressed concern about the overnight freeze during the Monday press conference.”One of the biggest concerns we have is with this midnight freeze,” Butler stated. “We don’t want anybody out there stuck overnight.”
All baltimore-area school districts were closed Monday, with closures extending into Tuesday.
Baltimore-area snowstorm: Some school, government closures to continue Tuesday
Baltimore Batters Blizzard: State of emergency Declared Amidst Historic Snowfall
Baltimore and the state of Maryland are facing a significant winter storm, prompting both the city and state to declare states of emergency. The heavy snowfall, which began early Monday morning, has led to widespread closures and a heightened focus on public safety.
State government offices remained closed on Monday, mirroring the closure of Baltimore City’s municipal government. While a reopening is anticipated for Tuesday, a final decision is pending.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a statewide winter storm warning, extending until 1 a.m. Tuesday. Snow is expected to continue in the Baltimore area until approximately midnight, with the NWS characterizing the snow as “not overly wet and heavy or light and fluffy.”
For those seeking real-time weather updates, the FOX45 News weathercast provides continuous coverage.
To combat the extreme cold, baltimore’s winter shelters are open through Tuesday. The city’s health department issued a Code Blue Extreme Cold Alert, effective from Saturday to Tuesday, highlighting the increased risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Individuals requiring shelter can contact the city’s Shelter Hotline at 443-984-9540.
Baltimore County residents facing homelessness can find shelter at the Eastern Family Resource Center or the Community Health Center. Contact the Department of Social Services at 410-887-8463, Option 1, for assistance.
Monday night’s forecast predicts a gentle breeze with wind gusts up to 25 mph, and temperatures plummeting to around 19 degrees.Tuesday is expected to bring sunny skies with a high of 33 degrees. The chilly weather is expected to persist into midweek, with temperatures remaining below freezing.
Looking ahead, there’s a 30% chance of more snow overnight Friday into Saturday, potentially impacting the highly anticipated Ravens vs. Steelers NFL wild-card playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium.
For news tips, contact Dan Belson at [email protected], on X as @DanBelson_, or on Signal as @danbels.62.
Originally Published: January 6, 2025 at 7:48 AM EST
