A reinforcing winter system is expected to bring snow and freezing rain across much of the Mid-Atlantic on Thursday, raising concern for dangerous travel conditions across multiple states. The region is expected to sit beneath a complex temperature setup, where cold air near the surface collides with warmer air aloft, favoring a mix of wintry precipitation.
Areas most at risk include Maryland, northern Virginia, Washington, DC, Delaware, southern Pennsylvania, and parts of West Virginia, where freezing rain may dominate, especially during the morning and midday hours Thursday. Cities including Washington, Baltimore, Frederick, Hagerstown, and Winchester may see rain changing to freezing rain or sleet, allowing ice to accumulate on roads, bridges, and overpasses.
Farther north and west, including central and northern Pennsylvania, precipitation is more likely to fall as snow, while coastal plain locations closer to southern Maryland and Delaware may see periods of rain before colder air filters in. Even where rain falls initially, temperatures may drop quickly, allowing water on roadways to freeze rapidly.
The primary concern is ice accumulation, not snowfall totals. Even light freezing rain can create extremely slick travel conditions with little visual warning. Elevated surfaces will ice first, and untreated roads may become hazardous within minutes. Gusty winds may also accompany the system, increasing the risk of power disruptions where ice builds on trees and lines.
Conditions may improve slowly Thursday night as colder air allows precipitation to transition to snow or taper off. However, icy conditions could persist into Friday morning, especially in shaded and untreated areas.
Residents across the Mid-Atlantic are urged to limit travel if possible, allow extra time, and monitor forecasts closely, as small temperature shifts could significantly alter impacts across the region.
