Washington County and the surrounding area could see a few inches of snow when a winter storm moves through the region Wednesday.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for western Maryland, Fulton County, Pa., and the Eastern Panhandle counties of West Virginia.
Light snow began falling in Hagerstown late Wednesday morning. By 2:40 p.m., snow continued to fall in the city, but was not sticking to roads or sidewalks as the temperature remained above freezing. Only 0.11 of an inch of snow had fallen at that point, according to weather observer Greg Keefer's website, i4weather.net.
Washington County is expected to receive 1 to 3 inches of snow Wednesday afternoon, with additional accumulation of less than an inch in the evening. Slightly higher totals are possible to the west and in higher elevations.
The following area school systems announced early dismissals:
- Berkeley County W.Va., schools were closing two hours early. Evening classes and events are canceled.
- Jefferson County, W.Va., schools were closing two hours early.
- Schools in the Central Fulton (Pa.) District were closing early.
- Southern Fulton (Pa.) School District schools were closing at 12:30 p.m.
Washington County Public Schools were not closing early, according to spokesman Richard Wright. As of 2:40 p.m., no decision had been announced concerning evening activities.
The Harpers Ferry (W.Va.) Civil War Round Table, scheduled for 7 p.m. at Camp Hill Methodist Church, was still on as scheduled.
The Maryland State Highway Administration has pretreated major routes in central, northern and western Maryland in advance of winter weather expected to visit the region later Wednesday afternoon and evening, according to an SHA news release.
SHA crews applied a salt brine solution to interstates and primary roadways Tuesday in preparation for a quick-moving storm, the release said.
“SHA will continue to closely monitor the storm, but we certainly need motorists to do their part as well,” SHA Administrator Melinda Peters said in the release. “Traveling the roads this afternoon during the height of the normal rush hour should not be an option; plows need space to clear the roads and gridlocked traffic does not allow crews the opportunity to make the roads safe. Last year’s Jan. 26 storm was indicative of how quickly things can change and we want everyone to get home safely.”
With precipitation generally expected between noon and 9 p.m., crews will remain out until all state roads are clear, the SHA said.
Motorists are reminded to never pass a snow plow or plow train. The safest place to be while driving in winter weather is behind a snow plow.
SHA also reminded motorists to completely clear vehicles of snow, which could otherwise turn to ice and create a danger to other motorists.
Call 511 or 1-855-GOMD511 or visit: www.md511.org for current travel information.
Online:
• For live radar reports and updated weather forecasts, road conditions and school closures or delays, go to The Herald-Mail Weather page.
• To report a weather-related cancellation or postponement, send an email to webupdate@herald-mail.com
