Baltimore, Maryland – A prolonged stretch of wet and potentially icy winter weather is expected to impact eastern Maryland beginning Thursday, raising concerns for hazardous travel and changing conditions across the region through the weekend and into early next week.
According to the National Weather Service and NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, eastern Maryland is projected to see above-normal precipitation through Monday, while temperatures trend near to slightly below seasonal averages. That combination supports periods of steady rain, with freezing rain becoming more likely overnight and during early morning hours as colder air settles near the surface.
The Interstate 95 corridor, including Baltimore, Towson, Columbia, and areas south toward Washington, D.C., is expected to see mostly cold rain, though brief freezing rain cannot be ruled out late at night. Farther east, the Eastern Shore, including Chestertown, Easton, Salisbury, and Cambridge, faces a higher risk of freezing rain as colder air becomes more entrenched, particularly during heavier precipitation. Even light ice accumulation could create slick road conditions.
Travel impacts are possible along major routes such as Interstate 95, Interstate 97, Route 50, Route 301, and Route 13. Bridges, overpasses, and causeways near the Chesapeake Bay are especially vulnerable to icing, where winds and colder surface temperatures can accelerate ice formation.
This unsettled pattern is being driven by a broad cold front pushing through the eastern United States, allowing cold air to linger near the surface while moisture continues to stream northward along the coast. While widespread power outages are not expected, isolated issues cannot be ruled out if ice accumulates on trees or power lines, particularly on the Eastern Shore.
Residents are urged to monitor local weather alerts, allow extra travel time, and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of freezing rain. This active pattern is expected to persist into early next week, with additional advisories or warnings possible as confidence increases.
