Hagerstown, Maryland – New long-range federal climate guidance indicates February 2026 could bring above-normal snowfall across western Maryland, increasing the likelihood of repeated winter weather impacts in the region.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC), western Maryland falls within a broad corridor of elevated snowfall probabilities extending from the Midwest through the central Appalachians and into the Northeast. The outlook suggests a higher chance of prolonged or more frequent snow activity compared to typical February conditions.
Areas west of the Blue Ridge, including Garrett and Allegany counties, show the strongest signals for increased snowfall potential. These higher-elevation regions are historically more susceptible to accumulating snow, and the February 2026 outlook reinforces the potential for more frequent winter systems affecting the area.
CPC monthly outlooks do not provide specific snowfall totals or storm timing. Instead, they assess how overall snowfall for the month may compare to long-term averages. For western Maryland, the guidance suggests cumulative snowfall or the number of snow events could exceed normal levels during February.
Temperature projections show near-normal conditions across much of Maryland during the month. This temperature pattern supports snow rather than rain or mixed precipitation for many systems in western Maryland, especially during overnight periods and higher-elevation events.
Surrounding regions, including West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and western Virginia, are also included in the above-normal snowfall zone, supporting confidence in a larger-scale winter pattern rather than isolated storms.
Residents, commuters, and winter travelers in western Maryland are encouraged to monitor updated forecasts as February approaches, when outlooks are refined and confidence increases closer to the season.
