Residents are urged to be extremely careful if they have to drive.
Frederick, Md (KM). Snow and freezing rain are heading to our area. The National Weather Service has put a Winter Storm Warning into affect from 1:00 AM on Wednesday, February 20th to Thursday, February 21st, at 1:00 AM. The agency forecasts snow of four to eight inches, with ice accumulations of two-tenths of an inch. The Winter Storm Warning includes Frederick and Washington Counties in Maryland, Loudon County, Virginia, and Morgan, Berkeley and Jefferson Counties in West Virginia.
Ashley Ross-Scott, a spokeswoman for the Maryland State Highway Administration, says crews were out on Tuesday pre-treating the roads with a combination of water and salt brine to keep the precipitation for sticking to the road. She says SHA will be out again after the snow starts falling on Wednesday. “We are keeping abreast of all the latest snow and weather predictions,” she says. “It’s really important and we ask everybody who doesn’t need to be on the road to please stay clear of the roads.”
But if you have to go out, Ross-Scott urges you to slow down. “Definitely drive below the posted speed limits. The speed limits signs are posted for ideal road conditions which of course is dry,” she says.
Snow is expected to fall first on Wednesday, followed by freezing rain. SHA says there are steps you can take if you have drive during freezing rain. “Watch for bridges and ramps as they freeze before the rest of the roadway. So take those extra slow and carefully,” says Ross-Scott. “And just make sure you have cars cleaned off. We always know those people who don’t fully clean off their car and the ice can become projectiles. So make sure you take those extra few minutes to clean your car off before departing and getting on the roadway.”
And don’t pass snow plows. “When you see our plows and crews, please give them some clearance and don’t crowd the plow. The treated road is, of course, right behind them. So give them some clearance so they can keep you safe and get you where you need to be,” says Ross-Scott.
The precipitation is expected to change to all rain on Thursday, with highs in the mid-40’s according to the National Weather Service.
By Kevin McManus