A wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow is spreading eastward across the Mid-Atlantic this morning, creating slick travel conditions in portions of Maryland, Virginia, and eastern West Virginia.
According to the National Weather Service in Baltimore/Washington, Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect for the mountain and valley regions west of I-95, including Hagerstown, Winchester, Leesburg, and Harrisonburg, where icy spots and light accumulations are possible through the morning hours.
Radar imagery early Tuesday shows precipitation moving from west to east, with freezing rain and sleet affecting the higher elevations of western Maryland and eastern West Virginia, and rain or mixed precipitation spreading into central Maryland and northern Virginia.
While surface temperatures near I-95 are expected to stay just above freezing, the NWS cautions that bridges, overpasses, and untreated roads could still become slippery, especially during the morning commute. Even areas as far east as Baltimore and Washington D.C. could see brief icing on elevated surfaces if temperatures dip slightly.
Travelers are urged to allow extra time, reduce speed, and watch for black ice on secondary roads and shaded areas. Conditions should gradually improve by midday, as temperatures rise and precipitation transitions to rain.
Behind the system, colder air will return overnight, bringing a chance for refreezing on any wet surfaces and a continued pattern of below-normal temperatures through midweek.
This early December storm marks one of the season’s first widespread wintry events for the region, serving as a reminder to prepare for rapidly changing road conditions during winter weather.
