Winter Storm Watch Issued For Parts Of Maryland Heading Into Snowy Weekend

MARYLAND — The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for parts of Maryland from 11 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday, with 2 to 4 inches of snow expected in some areas.

The snow will likely fall from late Friday evening through the pre-dawn hours on Saturday. Up to 8 inches of snow could fall in western Maryland.

The winter storm watch affects portions of central, western and northern Maryland, which includes Washington, Frederick, Carroll, northern Baltimore and northern Harford counties. A winter weather advisory is in effect for Baltimore City, Cecil County, southern Baltimore County and areas to the south and east, including Montgomery and Prince George's counties.

Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia are currently in the path where 1 to 3 inches of snow will likely fall, according to AccuWeather. A small amount of accumulating snow may extend as far south as Richmond, in a wintry mix form, AccuWeather said.

On Friday, a few spots in western Maryland "could see a little light snow by the tail end of the evening rush, but most of our region waits until between 9 p.m. and midnight for the first flakes," the Capital Weather Gang said Friday.

The snow could fall heavily for an hour or two during the pre-dawn hours on Saturday, at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, reducing visibility below a half-mile, according to the Capital Weather Gang.

"Due to temperatures at or slightly below freezing during the snow event, some slick travel and snow-covered roads are expected in some areas late Friday night and early Saturday morning," WJZ News reported Friday.

On Saturday, conditions should improve quickly as temperatures climb through the mid to upper 30s and then eventually into the lower 40s by Saturday afternoon, WJZ News said.

Some melting will happen on Saturday, but the remaining snow on the ground, sidewalks and roads could turn to ice Saturday night as temperatures dip into the low 20s.

Mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid- to high-40s will help to melt much of the snow by sunset Sunday. Conditions will remain sunny, with temperatures in the high 40s on the Presidents Day holiday.

Here is a look at the forecast for Maryland for the weekend and into early next week from the National Weather Service:

Friday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 46. Northwest wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Friday night: A slight chance of rain before 10 p.m., then snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 32. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph. Snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Saturday: Snow likely, mainly before 8 a.m. The snow could be heavy at times. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Northwest wind 7 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 21. Northwest wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 45. Southwest wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Sunday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 48.

Monday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.