Snow to Muck Up Wednesday Commute

Motorists should avoid traveling Wednesday afternoon during the normal rush hour as plows need space to clear roads, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has advised.

Snow is expected to fall across central, northern and western Maryland Wednesday. Light snow will beginning at 11 a.m. will increase to moderate snow around rush hour, and the snow is expected to end in the evening.

As a result, the Howard County Public School System has canceled its after-school events, including high school athletics.

Childcare programs sponsored by Howard County Recreation and Parks and the Columbia Association are still a go.

In the meantime, the SHA will be keeping the roads clear.

“SHA will continue to closely monitor the storm, but we certainly need motorists to do their part as well,” said Melinda Peters, SHA administrator. “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.”

According to meteorologist Justin Berk, the snow will more likely stick when temperatures are expected to drop below freezing as the sun goes down. He is predicting the heaviest and "crunchiest" mix on roads to come at 5 p.m. during the height of the evening rush hour.

When storms hit during periods of peak traffic, it is very difficult for snow removal crews to keep roads free of snow and ice, according to the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).

That can lead to accidents and stalled vehicles and the resulting backups then delay the response of snow removal crews and first responders. That creates long delays for travelers, MEMA officials said in a press release.

State highway officials have pre-treated major routes in Maryland in advance of forecasted winter weather. SHA crews applied a salt brine solution to the interstates and primary roadways on Tuesday in preparation for a quick-moving storm, officials said.

Officials are reminding motorists never to pass a snow plow or plow train.

The safest place to be while driving in winter weather is behind a snow plow, officials advised.