Tuesday's Weather Conditions Shut Down Activities

What was a three-day weekend has turned into four days after hazardous weather conditions prompted Howard County officials to issue cancellations and delays on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

As of 5 a.m., the school system posted on its website that all Howard County public schools are closed, and evening activities, including athletics and community-sponsored programs, are canceled. In Elkridge, follows the county's lead so it, too, will be closed Tuesday.

For state and Howard County government offices, "liberal leave" is in effect. Federal government offices will operate on a two-hour delay.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning through 12 p.m. Tuesday, stating that freezing rain will fall until 9 a.m. and approximately one-quarter inch of ice has accumulated outside. The temperature is below freezing, it reported. Rain may continue through the day with 70 percent chance of snow showers Tuesday evening.

As of 11 p.m. Monday, Howard County's snow emergency plan went into effect, meaning that parking on roads designated as snow routes is prohibited. To view information about county road conditions, see the Howard County Snow Plow Tracker here.

On area highways, officials are spreading salt on roadways Tuesday morning. "Air temperatures are rising, but there are icy patches on some secondary roadways. The interstates in the region have been treated and are mainly wet," reported Maryland's Department of Transportation (MDOT).

MDOT encourages motorists to adhere to three practices:

• Take it slow on ice and snow
• Reduce travel speeds overall
• Leave plenty of extra time for your commute