Washington, District of Columbia – Sleet and freezing rain are expected to impact the Washington-Baltimore region today, creating hazardous travel conditions as temperatures remain below freezing across much of the area.
According to the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington, portions of the region may experience freezing rain accumulations exceeding 0.25 inches, a level capable of producing dangerous road conditions and isolated damage to trees and power lines. Forecasters say a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain will develop as precipitation moves into cold surface air.
The Weather Service explains that sleet consists of partially melted snowflakes that refreeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. While sleet can reduce visibility and create slippery roads, freezing rain poses a greater hazard, as liquid rain freezes on contact with cold surfaces, forming a glaze of ice.
Even thin ice accretions as small as one-tenth of an inch can make untreated roads treacherous, especially on bridges, overpasses, and sidewalks. Ice buildup of one-quarter inch or more may begin to stress tree limbs and overhead power lines, increasing the risk of scattered outages.
Forecasters caution that icy roads may appear merely wet, making freezing rain particularly dangerous for drivers. Travel impacts are expected to be greatest during periods of steady precipitation while temperatures remain below 32 degrees.
Residents are urged to use caution if traveling, reduce speeds, and allow extra time to reach destinations. The Weather Service recommends monitoring updated forecasts and road conditions as small temperature changes could significantly affect ice accumulation amounts.
