Winter storm hinders road, air and train travel across the Baltimore region

More than six inches of snow, plus sleet and frigid temperatures across the Baltimore area on Sunday halted road traffic and hindered air travel. 

Around 7 p.m., Maryland State Police said they responded to nearly 1,000 calls and 62 crashes across the state. Officials are urging residents to stay home and avoid the roads if possible. 

Winter storm impacts flights and roads in Maryland

More than 450 flights were canceled at BWI Airport on Sunday, according to Flightaware, along with dozens of Amtrak trains along the East Coast, the company said.

Across the U.S., around 10,000 flights were canceled due to the storm. 

The weather conditions also prompted MTA to suspend Mobility service Sunday and close the Reservation Call Center. 

MTA said its light rail service was delayed because of employee availability.

"Riders are urged to avoid non-essential travel," MTA stated. "If you have to travel, please dress warmly, allow extra travel time and monitor the agency's service alerts."  

The snowy and icy road conditions made it tough on MTA buses. On Caroline Street in Baltimore, MTA buses were stuck in the snow and ice, and needed help from a massive tow truck.

MTA then suspended all bus services, starting at 8 p.m. on Sunday. Service on the CityLink routes only is expected to resume at 8 a.m. on Monday. 

"This decision was made to protect the safety of riders and employees as conditions have become unsafe for bus operations," MTA stated.   

Crews work to clear snow 

In Baltimore, local leaders urged residents to stay off the roads as crews work to clear snow. 

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott asked residents to be patient as the city mobilized its more than 700 crews to clear roads. 

"We have more equipment, more people — not just city folks involved — contractors involved to make sure that we can get to everyone and everybody that we need to in the appropriate time," the mayor said. 

As of 8 p.m., Baltimore received more than eight inches of snow, as well as freezing rain. 

"This won't be a storm where the snow will end, and you will see pavement on your very deep into the neighborhood side street immediately. But they will get to you," Scott said. "They are making passes everywhere to make the roads serviceable and passable for people who have to go anywhere…If you do not have to travel, if you are not required to go to work, if it is not an emergency, stay home."

Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly shared similar advice early Sunday, saying, "We're hoping folks are just going to stay offthe roads because they're pretty bad. Both the state and the county roads are. We're not making much progress with the snow coming now. So we're asking folks to please stay home unless you absolutely have to come out."

Gov. Moore thanks emergency responders

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore went on social media on Sunday afternoon, sharing his appreciation for emergency responders and crews who were clearing the roads of ice and snow, and warning residents about the dangerous conditions.

"I want to give a shoutout to all of our first responders," Moore said. "They have done an amazing job, both preparing for this storm and making sure the state is responding to this storm."

After inches of snow, the governor said we're not out of the woods yet, with potential freezing rain and bitter-cold temperatures expected to make for continued messy travel conditions.

 "I want people to know that this worst of this storm might still be yet to come," Moore said. "As we are watching temperatures drop, as we are watching freezing rain come onboard, we still need to make sure we are staying vigilant."