Dangerous cold settles into Maryland this week, snow possible this weekend
Another round of extreme cold is returning to Maryland. Thursday, Friday and Saturday are First Alert Weather Days due to extreme cold.
Make sure you are ready for an extended period of unusually cold weather. Look after loved ones and be alert to people in need in your area. Find a list of winter shelters here.
The forecast trends bitterly cold through the week
Wednesday begins with temperatures between 8° and 12° across the immediate metro. Plan on low to mid-teens in many areas along the Route 50 corridor on the eastern shore. A breeze will make it feel like it is closer to zero, or just below zero. More cold weather is in the forecast on Wednesday afternoon; spent below freezing once again. Temperatures peak in the low to mid-20s on Wednesday.
Another round of scattered flurries are possible Wednesday night, into Thursday. The most intense cold of this wintry stretch arrives on Thursday and lasts through Saturday.
Winds chills may drop to -10° in Baltimore on Friday and Saturday mornings; as low as -20° outside of the immediate metro and particularly along the I-70 corridor. During the afternoon, it'll feel like it's between 5° and 15°. Actual afternoon temperatures may not get out of the teens and early morning temperatures will drop into the single digits.
The intensity and duration of the cold could freeze and break water pipes. Please make sure your home is properly winterized and protected from extreme cold.
Potential for snow this weekend
Another storm is set to develop near or over the southeastern United States late this week. While we are confident in a storm forming, it's track remains very uncertain. The track and intensity of this storm will determine how much snow falls in Maryland or if we see any snow at all.
Three main scenarios:
A storm well out to sea that will produce no snow along the east coast.
A storm close enough to the coast to produce some snow, particularly along the beaches and eastern shore of Maryland.
Lastly, a storm that becomes intense and takes a track just offshore, producing significant snow and wind across many states including Maryland.
The WJZ First Alert Weather Team is closely watching the weather setup later this week. As confidence increases in a particular scenario, we'll be able to tell you more about impact location and severity.
Stay with the First Alert Weather Team for updates, especially as we get closer to the weekend.