Snow, ice and freezing rain is expected.
FREDERICK, MD. (LG) The Maryland State Highway Administration says it’s ready for whatever Mother Nature brings on Thursday. The National Weather Service is calling for snow, sleet and freezing rain, along with gusty winds.
“Crews pre-treated roadways today,” said SHA spokesman Charlie Gischlar. “Now just a refresher course in this, when we go out on the day before the storm, which has to start as snow of course, if it starts as rain it will just wash off. So this is suppose to start as snow, so we are pre-treating the day before with a salt brine solution. That’s about 23% salt and the rest is water,” said Gischlar. “And what that does is prevents the initial snow or ice from bonding, which gives us a leg up when the actual snow or ice hits.”
Motorists should be especially careful on their morning commute and throughout the day, as the precipitation is expected to continue. “If it is icy and you have to go out, we ask that you delay your commute. The storm is eventually suppose to change over to rain. But ice is nobody’s friend, especially on the elevated roadways. If you don’t have to go, check the weather and make smart travel decisions.”
The National Weather Service predicts snow, freezing rain, and sleet, mainly after 8 am on Thursday morning. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.3 of an inch possible. New snow and sleet accumulation of around an inch possible. Then Thursday night freezing rain and sleet before 8 pm, then rain between 8 pm and 2 am, then rain, snow, and sleet likely after 2 am.
On Friday, rain, snow, and sleet likely before 8am is expected, according to the National Weather Service.
– By Loretta Gaines