A major winter storm is set to impact Southern Maryland this weekend, bringing heavy snow, possible sleet and freezing rain, and dangerously cold temperatures to Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties. The National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington office has upgraded alerts, with a Winter Storm Warning in effect from 11 p.m. Saturday through 4 a.m. Monday for portions of southern Maryland and nearby areas.
The system follows an arctic air surge that arrived Friday night, dropping wind chills to as low as 5 below zero in parts of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties Saturday morning under a Cold Weather Advisory that extended through 10 a.m. Saturday. Highs Saturday hover near 20 degrees with partly cloudy to cloudy skies and north winds at 5-10 mph, setting the stage for the storm’s arrival late Saturday night.
Snow develops after sunset Saturday, Jan. 24, intensifying overnight and through Sunday, Jan. 25. Forecasters expect widespread accumulating snow, with Southern Maryland in the path of heavy bands. Projections indicate 4 to 6 inches Saturday night into early Sunday, followed by an additional 7 to 12 inches during Sunday daytime, though totals vary by exact storm track and mixing. Some models and updates suggest totals of 8 to 12 inches or more possible, with snowfall rates exceeding one inch per hour in heavier bands. As warmer air aloft influences the system Sunday afternoon into evening, precipitation may transition to sleet, freezing rain, or rain farther south and east, potentially adding ice accumulation up to a quarter inch in spots, especially south of Interstate 70 or along coastal influences.
The storm tapers Sunday evening or early Monday, Jan. 26, but frigid conditions persist, with lows in the single digits or below and wind chills remaining hazardous. This setup risks significant travel disruptions, including slick roads, reduced visibility, and possible power outages from ice-weighted lines or snow-laden trees. Rural areas in Southern Maryland, common for the region’s mix of wooded and open land, face heightened challenges from drifting and limited plowing resources.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a State of Preparedness on Jan. 21, activating coordination among state agencies for road treatment, emergency response, and public safety. The declaration addresses potential impacts on transportation, infrastructure, and residents across the state, including Southern Maryland.
The Southern Maryland Chronicle reported on the NWS high-impact threat alert issued Jan. 21, noting heavy accumulations and frigid temperatures as risks to travel and safety in the Mid-Atlantic, with the alert spanning Jan. 24-25. An additional update covered the Winter Storm Watch evolving into warnings, emphasizing possible sleet and ice south of Highway 50.
Residents should prepare by stocking essentials, avoiding unnecessary travel Sunday, ensuring vehicles have winter kits, and monitoring updates from the National Weather Service. The storm aligns with broader Mid-Atlantic patterns, where colder air locks in north and west of Interstate 95 for higher snow totals, while southern zones see more mixing. Confidence has increased with recent model agreement on the system’s path, though precise banding and transition lines remain fluid.
This event represents one of the season’s more significant winter systems for the region, demanding proactive measures to mitigate hazards in communities from La Plata to Leonardtown to Prince Frederick.