Baltimore County Weather: Winter Storm Watch Issued

By Staff Reporter
Posted on 03/19/18 | News Source: Pikesville Patch

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory and winter storm watch for parts of Baltimore County.

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — The chance of getting multiple inches of snow in Baltimore County by Wednesday night has markedly increased. State highway crews have been out pre-treating highways and bridges in the northern Maryland counties for snow, high winds and flooding.

A winter weather advisory has been issued for northern Baltimore County from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, calling for up to an inch of snow, sleet or ice. A winter weather advisory means there could be slippery conditions and limited visibility from winter weather.

Next, the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area is under a winter storm watch Wednesday from midnight until 8 p.m. A winter storm watch means there is potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Weather officials say that 5 inches of snow or more are possible.

There are two weather systems moving through the area, according to WJZ. First, a low-pressure system moving in Tuesday evening will deliver a mix of rain, snow and sleet; then a wet snow will blanket the region on Wednesday, particularly Wednesday morning.

Drivers should be aware that wintry weather could impact roads as early as Tuesday morning.

"Plan on slippery road conditions, including during the morning commute on Tuesday," the National Weather Service said in the winter weather advisory. "Plan on difficult travel conditions." Visibility may be limited.

The Maryland State Highway Administration reported Monday that it has treated roads and bridges, cleared storm drains of debris and prepped chainsaws, chippers, generators and "road closed" signs in the event of storm damage.

If traffic signals are out, drivers are reminded they are required by law to treat them as four-way stops or stop signs.

AAA offers the following tips for driving on snowy or icy roads:

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly; it takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• Turn the steering wheel in the direction your wheels are going if you start to skid. Do not hit brakes or gas.
• Increase following distance.
• Use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don't stop if you can help it. Slow down enough to stay moving until a traffic light changes.
• Don't speed up or stop going uphill. Try to get momentum going on a flat surface before you reach a hill and let inertia carry you to the top. At the crest of the hill, reduce your speed. Proceed as slowly as possible.