The start of December is bringing the state’s first widespread winter weather, but don’t bring out your sleds just yet, Baltimore.
A wintry mix could mean icy road conditions in Central Maryland, the National Weather Service said, though snow is only likely to stick closer to the Pennsylvania border. Snow and sleet could amount to 1 to 3 inches in some parts of the state through Tuesday morning.
In advance of the inclement weather, a few public school systems in the Baltimore region announced delayed openings.
Public schools in Carroll, Cecil, Howard, Harford and Baltimore counties all said they would be opening two hours later than normal on Tuesday. There will also be no morning pre-K in Baltimore County Public Schools, the district said.
A low-pressure system moving onto the East Coast is bringing the expected wintry precipitation to Maryland, said Kevin Rodriguez, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Baltimore/Washington forecast office. Early-morning commuters in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., regions could see some snow, but temperatures aren’t expected to be cold enough for it to accumulate. The temperature in Baltimore is expected to climb to 42 degrees by midafternoon.
The weather service said it expects the wintry mix to primarily affect areas west of Interstate 95
The Howard County government announced that liberal leave will be in effect through 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also cited weather concerns in announcing that the “Holiday on Holliday” Christmas tree lighting event set for Tuesday at City Hall had been postponed to Dec. 11.
The weather service issued a Winter Weather Advisory for parts of Maryland, including Allegany, Garrett, Howard and Montgomery counties, warning drivers of slippery road conditions. The advisory is in effect until Tuesday at 1 p.m.
Precipitation is expected to start between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., with Carroll, Frederick and Howard counties feeling the earliest effects. A range of precipitation is expected in Baltimore County, with northern parts of Baltimore City more likely to see accumulation than downtown and the Inner Harbor.
The Maryland State Highway Administration began treating highways and routes on Monday in advance of the storm.
How much snow?
While rain later Tuesday will wash out any possible snow in Central Maryland, the western region will stay cold enough that some snow is likely to stay on the ground, Rodriguez said.
Northern suburbs of Baltimore County and the towns of Westminster, Frederick and Hagerstown could see 1 to 2 inches of snow. Rodriguez said drivers heading closer to the Pennsylvania border should look out for icy conditions on major roadways, including Interstate 68 and Interstate 70.
Areas near the Catoctin Mountain in Frederick could see 2 to 3 inches of snow.
Temperatures will hover in the low 30s to the low 40s from Tuesday evening through Wednesday. Thursday will get even colder, with a low of 24 degrees, and the weekend is set up to stay below freezing through Saturday night.
Cold weather shelters open
The Baltimore County Department of Social Services, meanwhile, issued a Freezing Weather Shelter alert from 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Shelters will take people in between 6 and 10 p.m. each evening.
The Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services in Baltimore declared a Code Purple winter shelter status through 9 a.m. Friday. A list of warming centers and overnight emergency shelters is available on the city’s website.
WJZ, a media partner of The Banner, contributed to this report.
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