State of Emergency in effect, 2 feet of snow could accumulate
What We Know:
*State of Emergency is in effect
*Statewide snow emergency is in effect
*Snow starts Friday afternoon, lasts through early Sunday morning
*Confidence level: Strong
*Impact: High (dangerous driving conditions, major travel delays)
*Heavy snow likely -- many areas could see more than 12 inches
*Possibility of some rain and sleet mixing in, particularly on Eastern Shore
BALTIMORE -- Be prepared to be snowed in for a couple days.
The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings and watches in Maryland, and a State of Emergency took effect at 7 a.m. Friday.
The blizzard warning took effect at 3 p.m. Friday and lasts at least through 6 a.m. Sunday for central and southern Maryland. A blizzard watch is in effect for parts of the Eastern Shore.
11 Insta-Weather PLUS Chief Meteorologist Tom Tasselmyer said a blizzard is defined as a snow storm that has sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or greater with snow or blowing snow reducing visibility to a quarter mile or less.
Flurries began falling in the Baltimore area around 2:30 p.m. The snow will last through Saturday and end Sunday morning. Visibility will be reduced to near zero at times with whiteout conditions possible.
Tasselmyer said the storm could bring as much as 1 to 2 feet of snow.
The storm system came from the upper Pacific and tracked through the South before reforming over the coast and tracking northward.
There's a potential that snow will mix with rain and sleet during the day Saturday in some areas, which accounts for the lower end of the range. How much snow the Eastern Shore will get is much more questionable, based on how much warm air comes in from the ocean, causing a mix of rain and snow.
It is important to note that this forecast will constantly get adjusted as the storm gets closer and new data comes in.
Federal offices in Washington, D.C., will close at noon Friday. Employees have the option for unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework.
Snow emergency enacted
Maryland transportation officials have declared a statewide snow emergency beginning noon Friday in preparation for a severe weather system.
Here's what the emergency means to drivers:
- Vehicles traveling on highways designated as snow emergency routes must be equipped with chains, snow tires or all season radials.
- Special hauling permits for commercial vehicles are not valid
- Maryland State Police can tow abandoned vehicles on the road or on the shoulder
- Restricts all parking on designated snow emergency routes
MTA service reductions Friday, service suspended over weekend
The Maryland Transit Administration announced that there will be reduced transit services Friday, and all transit services will be suspended throughout the weekend.
Local Bus
- At 7 p.m. Friday, reduction of service begins
- Phased recovery of service is expected to begin at 3 a.m. on Monday, based on road conditions
Metro Subway
- Metro Subway service will be temporarily suspended beginning at 11 p.m. Friday, or earlier, depending on weather conditions
Light Rail
- All Light Rail service will be reduced on Friday
Mobility/Paratransit
- Customers will be notified that all reservations after 6 p.m. on Friday will be canceled.
- The Reservations Department will be closed on Saturday
- Reservations will resume operations at noon on Sunday and remain open until 6 p.m., an extra hour
MARC Train
- "S" schedule on all three lines for Friday with reduced service
Commuter Bus
- Will operate on a modified schedule on Friday
- The AM schedule will operate as normal
- The PM Schedule: Midday trips will operate as scheduled
- All other routes will begin operating three hours early, except Route 305 trip 23, which will operate four hours early
Some school districts, universities/colleges change schedules
School officials are watching the storm forecast closely. Schools are closed Friday for Howard and Baltimore counties, and Baltimore City.
Carroll County Public Schools announced its schools will be dismissing three hours early on Friday.
Harford County Public Schools will close two hours early.
The University of Maryland-College Park announced the campus will be closed Friday through Sunday.
Towson University is closing Saturday and Sunday, and move-in is postponed until Monday. The university will be open Monday, but classes will be canceled. Classes will begin Tuesday.
The U.S. Naval Academy to close at noon Friday and will remain closed Saturday.
