Maryland could be facing some of the coldest temperatures the region has seen in years early next week.

Connor Belak, a meteorologist for National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington office, said temperatures will see lows in the single digits and highs in the teens starting late Monday and lasting through Wednesday.

The wind chill will make the air feel like it is 10 degrees below freezing, Belak said.

There is also potential for a light wave of snow on Sunday, he said. Snow accumulation could be between 1 to 3 inches, or even 3 to 6 inches, but those numbers are still uncertain. He said NWS will monitor the conditions and have a more accurate accumulation number in the coming days.

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Whether it’s making sure you have enough food, water or blankets, or getting your vehicle prepped for harsh conditions, make sure you are prepared with this helpful guide.

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How to prepare your home and car

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other government agencies offer several tips for how to prepare homes for cold and other winter weather, including:

  • Insulate the walls and attic in your home.
  • Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows in your home.
  • Get your chimney or flue inspected each year.
  • Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and make sure the batteries are working.

When it comes to vehicles, officials suggest making a winter emergency kit to keep in your car. The kit can include jumper cables, flares or reflective triangles, ice scraper, car cell phone charger, cat litter or sand (for better tire traction), a blanket and water. The Maryland Department of Health has a complete checklist online. Other tips to prepare cars for winter weather include:

  • Check antifreeze levels on your vehicle.
  • Keep your gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank.
  • Replace worn tires and check the tire air pressure.
  • If stuck in a traffic jam or your car becomes disabled, stay with your vehicle and run the engine and heater for short intervals. You should crack a window to avoid carbon monoxide buildup and listen to the radio for emergency information.

How to stay warm in cold weather and prevent cold-related illness

When it comes to keeping yourself warm and preventing cold-related illness, the CDC suggests wearing lots of layers and not overdoing it if shoveling snow or playing outside. Some other tips:

  • Try to stay indoors during a winter storm or in extreme cold, but if you must go outside, make sure to wear a hat; a water-resistant coat; mittens or gloves; a scarf or knit mask that covers your face and mouth; two to three layers of loose-fitting clothes; and water-resistant boots.
  • To protect your eyes, lips, skin, neck and face, wear sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm.
  • Avoid getting wet to prevent hypothermia.
  • Drink warm beverages or broth to help maintain body temperature and eat well-balanced meals.
  • Do not use a kerosene heater or your oven to heat your home.

How to get weather and emergency alerts in your county

Howard County residents can sign up for their community’s warning system through the Wireless Emergency Alerts or the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards. Residents can also follow Howard County government on Facebook and X, and through an email service.

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Baltimore County residents can sign up for emergency alerts through BaltCo Alert using their address and contact information. Alerts will include emergencies such as evacuations, shelter-in-place notices or severe weather information.

There are no weather sirens in Baltimore County, so during an emergency the county will share information on X on the @BaltCoEmergency account, the @BaltCoFire account and the Fire News blog on the county website.

Anne Arundel County has a mass notification system called Alert Anne Arundel that will send alerts to phones or emails. Residents can sign up online.

Warming centers in the counties

Howard County has a newly expanded cold weather shelter operated by Grassroots Crisis Intervention that has 71 beds. The new beds are available through the county’s cold weather shelter program, which provides housing through March 28.

There is a crisis line at 410-531-6677 and the shelter’s address is 6700 Freetown Road in Columbia.

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Baltimore County has freezing weather shelters for people without housing when the temperatures drop. County residents seeking temporary shelter are encouraged to call 410-887-8463. Some locations are:

  • Eastern Family Resource Center at 9150 Franklin Square Drive in Rosedale, Maryland. The entrance in the rear door of the building.
  • Community Health Center at 1811 Woodlawn Drive in Woodlawn, Maryland. The entrance is located on the left side of the building, underneath the library.

Anne Arundel has warming centers that offer heat, water and restrooms. There is a crisis warmline available at (410) 768-5522 for people who need shelter or special accommodations. Below are a few warming stations, and a complete list is available online.

  • Police Department district stations: Eastern District at 204 Pasadena Road in Pasadena, and the Western District at 8273 Telegraph Road in Odenton.
  • Senior activity center community rooms, including the Annapolis Senior Activity Center at 119 South Villa Ave., and the Pascal Senior Activity Center at 125 Dorsey Road in Glen Burnie.
  • Anne Arundel County public libraries, including locations at 5940 Deale-Churchton Road in Deale and 400 Shipley Road in Linthicum.

The Maryland Department of Health also has a list of local warming centers across the state.

Where to find more emergency preparedness info

More emergency preparedness information can be found on through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, Ready.gov and the Maryland Department of Health’s Office of Preparedness and Response.

Each county’s website also has more information for winter and emergency preparedness.

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