A winter weather advisory is in effect, as multiple forecast services warn of mixed snow, sleet, and freezing rain that may create slick conditions across parts of Maryland and Virginia and in Lancaster County.
The National Weather Service says the advisory begins at 10 p.m. Monday and continues through Tuesday afternoon for portions of central and western Maryland and northern Virginia. The Fox 5 Weather Team reports temperatures will drop sharply on Monday, with morning readings near 34 degrees and a slight wind chill making it feel colder.
Forecasters say precipitation should hold off until mid to late afternoon, with snow showers possible during the afternoon and light daytime accumulations mainly on grassy surfaces. Total snow accumulations up to one inch are possible, with ice accumulations up to one tenth of an inch, as reported by the National Weather Service and the Fox 5 Weather Team.
Colder air is expected to settle in Monday night, allowing snow to change to a wintry mix and areas of freezing rain. That transition may create icy spots early Tuesday, particularly before 9 a.m., when most areas are expected to change over to plain rain, according to the Fox 5 Weather Team and the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service and Fox 5 advise drivers to plan for hazardous travel during the Tuesday morning commute. They recommend slowing down, allowing extra stopping distance, and using caution on bridges and overpasses, which tend to ice first. For updated road conditions, travelers are directed to call 511 for their state’s latest travel information.
Local Timing Impact And Short Term Outlook
In Lancaster County forecasters say a wintry mix of rain, snow, and freezing rain is expected between 4 and 10 a.m., with a changeover to only rain and snow between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., as reported by the National Weather Service and other forecast services.
The county can expect less than one inch of snow and total ice accumulations up to one tenth of an inch, the weather service says. Officials urge motorists to slow down and use caution while driving because a light glaze of ice is possible Tuesday morning.
Forecasts cited in the Lancaster report show a Tuesday high near 41 degrees and a nighttime low near 38 degrees, with a rebound to 54 degrees on Wednesday. Daytime temperatures from Thursday through Sunday are expected in the low to upper 60s with a chance of showers, according to the same sources.
Both reports note that the timing of the wintry precipitation could affect morning commutes and lead to school closings or delays. The Fox 5 Weather Team and the National Weather Service will provide updated forecasts as conditions evolve.
