Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for Frederick, Montgomery, Calvert, St. Mary’s, and Anne Arundel counties in Maryland, and Loudoun County, Virginia, as a coastal storm approaches the Mid-Atlantic region. The National Weather Service issued the warnings Sunday, anticipating accumulating snow and hazardous travel conditions late Sunday into Monday morning.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a State of Preparedness Saturday night, directing the Department of Emergency Management to coordinate readiness efforts. “In declaring a State of Preparedness for Maryland, I am directing the Department of Emergency Management to coordinate readiness efforts across state government in advance of the incoming winter storm,” Moore said. “The safety of Maryland families comes first. I am urging residents to prepare early, stay informed, and adjust plans, including postponing travel, as conditions change.”
The storm is expected to bring three to six inches of snow to most of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area, with potentially higher accumulations in mountainous regions and further east, according to the National Weather Service. Precipitation is forecast to start as rain overnight Saturday, transitioning to a rain/snow mix by Sunday morning as temperatures hover around freezing.
A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for surrounding counties in both Maryland and Virginia, indicating that snowfall totals are still uncertain. The highest snow probabilities in Virginia are focused in the east-central portions of the state, including the Northern Neck and Eastern Shore, where accumulations of 2-6 inches are possible. Fauquier County is also under a winter storm watch, with up to several inches of snow possible through Monday.
The National Weather Service warns that a rapidly intensifying coastal storm could bring five or more inches of snow to DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Travel impacts are likely Sunday night into the Monday morning commute.
