Maryland Weather: 'Wintry Mix' On Its Way This Weekend

With highs reaching close to 70 degrees Thursday, it's hard to believe Maryland will likely struggle with ice and snow come Saturday. But the National Weather Service forecast predicts an 80 percent chance Saturday morning for about an inch of snow, plus freezing rain and sleet for Maryland.

Mother Nature seems determined to throw a wrench into weekend plans after last weekend's snow that made for slippery roads in the region.

NBC-4 meteorologist Amelia Draper is focusing less on the snow and forecasting treacherous icy roads on the weekend.

Timing of storm

After Thursday's springlike weather, temperatures will begin to plunge on Friday, with a high of 48 degrees, the weather service predicts. The chances for snow, freezing rain and sleet are at 50 percent early Saturday, beginning at 1 a.m. When you wake up on Saturday, the chances for the wintry mix increase to 80 percent, until 1 p.m. Highs Saturday will only reach into the low 30s, according to the NWS.

Chances for more of the wintry mix continue Saturday night, with a 50 percent chance and remain at 50 percent by Sunday with highs that day reaching into the upper 30s, the weather service says.

Here's a look at what to expect Thursday through Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day:

• Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65. Southwest wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
• Thursday night: A slight chance of showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. Northwest wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
• Friday night: A chance of snow and sleet after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. North wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Saturday: Snow, freezing rain, and sleet. High near 32. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
• Saturday night: A chance of snow, freezing rain, and sleet. Cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Sunday: A chance of freezing rain and sleet before 1pm, then a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Sunday night: A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• M.L.King Day: A chance of rain and snow. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Monday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.

The weather service has released a map showing where the area could likely see snowfall this weekend:

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