MARYLAND — With heavy snow in the forecast across the Baltimore-Washington region, the National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings because travel may be very difficult on Wednesday, Feb. 20. In fact, the governor and state highway crews are urging people to avoid traveling during Wednesday's snowstorm if possible.

"This is going to be a dangerous storm," Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said at a Tuesday afternoon press conference. "The number one thing that we ought to be planning on is not driving during rush hour tomorrow." Between 7 and 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Hogan said between 6 and 8 inches of snow could fall along the Interstate 95 corridor.

"We want to encourage you if possible to stay home tomorrow while we clean up these roads," he said, "and if you've got to go to work, make sure that you can go in late after the rush hour and after the worst of the snowfall." The heaviest snow will most likely fall in bursts during the morning rush hour, forecasters say.

"The rate of snowfall will be double the rate of the ability of the plows to clear, which will result in snow-covered roadways," according to the Maryland State Highway Administration. "Heavy snowfall will reduce visibility and create hazardous driving conditions. Motorists are urged to make smart travel decisions and, if possible, to curtail driving until the storm passes."

Snow in the morning will mix with and change to sleet and freezing rain by early afternoon, then rain Wednesday night, according to the National Weather Service.

Up to 8 inches of snow could fall in parts of the state, around Frederick, Allegany and Washington counties by Thursday morning, the National Weather Service warns.



About 4 to 6 inches of heavy snow and 0.1 inch ice are in the forecast Wednesday for central Maryland, including Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's counties.

Here are the weather alerts that take effect on Wednesday, Feb. 20: 1 a.m. to 7 p.m. —Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's counties are under a winter storm warning for 3 to 6 inches of snow and up to 0.1 inch ice.

4 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll and Harford counties are under a winter storm warning for 3 to 6 inches of snow and up to 0.1 inch ice.

1 a.m. Wednesday to 1 a.m. Thursday — Allegany, Frederick and Washington counties are under a winter storm warning for 4 to 7 inches of snow and up to 0.2 inch ice.

7 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Cecil and Kent counties are under a winter storm warning calling for 3 to 5 inches of snow and a glaze of ice. A winter storm warning means snow, sleet and ice could make travel very difficult or impossible, according to the National Weather Service.

