The Baltimore region is bracing for another winter storm, with a powerful nor’easter expected to bring a mix of rain, heavy snow, and strong winds into . The storm arrives as the area continues to recover from recent winter weather events, including significant snowfall and ice accumulation last month.
Initially, the Baltimore area will experience rain throughout , but conditions are forecast to deteriorate as temperatures fall. The precipitation is expected to transition to heavy snow by late afternoon and evening. Wind gusts could reach 35 to 40 mph, exacerbating the impact of the storm.
The National Weather Service is predicting accumulations of 3 to 6 inches of snow for the Baltimore region by early afternoon, with potentially higher totals in northeast Maryland. The heaviest snowfall is anticipated between 7 p.m. and midnight.
Montgomery County is also expected to receive 3 to 6 inches of snow, with the possibility of even greater accumulations in its northwestern areas. Further east, the Eastern Shore is under a blizzard warning, with projected snowfall totals of 11 to 17 inches and wind gusts up to 50 mph. Forecasters warn that these conditions could bring down branches, significantly reduce visibility, and make travel nearly impossible.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has declared a state of preparedness, directing state agencies to coordinate their response efforts. Officials are warning residents to expect dangerous road conditions, potential power outages, and a hard freeze night into morning.
“Marylanders should stay informed, make their preparations now, and be ready to adjust plans as conditions change,” Maryland Department of Emergency Management Secretary Russ Strickland said in a news release. “If you don’t need to be on the roads, stay home, and always follow guidance from local officials.”
Baltimore Gas and Electric has increased staffing levels to support potential restoration efforts in the event of power outages. The storm is already disrupting travel plans, with airlines canceling 40% of arrivals and 34% of departures at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, according to FlightAware.com. The airport is advising passengers to confirm their flight status with their airlines before traveling and to exercise caution on the roads.
Amtrak is also modifying service along its Northeast Corridor line and , and impacted customers are being notified directly of any cancellations or adjustments.
The region experienced significant snowfall in late January, leaving behind large mounds of snow and ice that took weeks to clear. While this new storm is expected to be different, with temperatures rising above freezing by midweek, the cumulative effect of repeated winter weather events is straining resources and impacting daily life.
The forecast models vary, with some predicting up to 2 feet of snowfall, while others suggest accumulations of around 5 inches. The National Blend of Models currently indicates around 5 inches of snowfall for the I-95 corridor. Northeastern Maryland and the Eastern Shore are expected to see the highest totals, potentially reaching 8 to 10 inches or more on the Eastern Shore.
The impact of the storm is also being felt in local stores, where supplies are dwindling. Ace Hardware in Canton reported turning away customers looking for shovels and salt morning, having already sold out of additional stock ordered after the January storm. A nationwide salt shortage is contributing to the scarcity of de-icing supplies.
“We here aren’t getting ice melt because the warehouse is only getting a certain amount, and they have to spread it to about 11 stores,” said Steve Sheltry, a sales associate at Ace Hardware in Canton. “It’s just a hit-or-miss thing as far as who gets more ice melt and gets more shovels.”
Safeway in Canton was also reported to be out of salt, though some shovels remained available. Residents like Heather Lam, who had to replace a shovel broken during the previous storm, were able to find replacements.
Maryland is among several states bracing for the storm, which is expected to bring heavy snow, strong winds, and coastal flooding across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. The National Weather Service has warned of high winds, power outages, and hazardous travel conditions, with blizzard warnings in effect for New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston.
