[Read the latest: Winter storm watch issued for Maryland with more than 10 inches of snow possible]

A major winter storm is expected to sweep across much of the East Coast this weekend, with the potential to bring heavy snow to parts of Maryland.

It’s still too early for snowfall estimates, said Anna Stuck, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service’s Baltimore/Washington office, but Maryland should expect an “impactful snow event” this weekend.

Ahead of the winter weather, Gov. Wes Moore declared a State of Preparedness on Wednesday, which activates the Department of Emergency Management to get ready for the snowy and icy conditions. The Maryland National Guard is also prepping “to ensure rapid response capabilities” to impacted communities, the press release from the governor’s office said.

An Arctic front is already bringing cold temperatures and wind gusts to the Baltimore region. A wide-ranging system is likely to move across the southern region through the East Coast starting Friday through Sunday.

There was a slight shift overnight on the storm system, Stuck said, bringing some uncertainty on the type of precipitation that will take over the region. There’s a chance that the storm could bring a mix of sleet and freezing rain to south of Baltimore.

“The farther north you are in the region, the higher your chances are of being a primarily snow event,” she said.

The Maryland State Highway Administration is monitoring the weekend storm, according to the agency’s social media, as are Amtrak and Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

The last significant snowfall in Maryland was in January 2025. Baltimore City saw about 6 inches of snowfall, while parts of the state had up to a foot of snow. It also disrupted local train and bus service and caused multiple cancellations at BWI.

In November, Mayor Brandon Scott said Baltimore has budget of more than $7.3 million for snow removal efforts. The city has more than 15,000 tons of salt for treating roadways, according to a news release.

Frigid temperatures persist

Temperatures will stay in the mid- to high 30s on Wednesday and climb slightly to the high 40s on Thursday. Friday will see a high of 38 before temperatures dip significantly into the teens, with a high of 19 and a low of 14 expected for Saturday.

The city enacts a Code Blue whenever temperatures with wind chill drop below 13 degrees. City-funded shelters are made available for overnight stays, and a handful of buildings operate as warming centers during days when temperatures hit 32 degrees or lower.

Many surrounding counties also provide shelters during severe winter weather, including Baltimore, Howard, Anne Arundel and Montgomery counties.

Banner reporter Sara Ruberg contributed to this story.