Wintry Mix Is on the Way

A winter weather advisory for snow, sleet and freezing rain is in effect from 11 p.m. Friday to 1 p.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The NWS forecast one to two inches of snow and sleet Friday evening before the precipitation changes to freezing rain Saturday morning.

Temperatures should be in the mid-to-upper 20s Friday night, which is below freezing, and the NWS said ice is expected to accumulate on trees and power lines.

In the event of downed power lines, BGE advised people to call 1-877-778-2222.

The utility company said to report power outages to 410-685-0123.

According to officials, the wintry mix could cause slippery traveling conditions Friday night through Saturday morning.

The State Highway Administration (SHA) reported that it had deployed "anti-icing" crews to prepare roadways as the storm moves from western Maryland to metropolitan areas.

The NWS said areas under the winter weather advisory—Howard, Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Harford, Frederick, Carroll and Montgomery counties—may experience travel difficulties and limited visibility.

“Since temperatures have been at or below freezing, it will only take a dusting for very slick roadway conditions to develop," said Melinda Peters, SHA administrator, in a statement on Friday.

"With the precipitation forecast to begin just after rush hour, the best advice is to get home this evening and stay there," said Peters.

If people will be traveling this evening, the SHA advised checking tire pressure and keeping a cell phone charger, batteries, a shovel, flashlight, salt or cat litter, jumper cables and flares in the vehicle.

While BGE said that it does not anticipate outages, it recommended stocking up on fuel and supplies.

“BGE’s customers have been fortunate this winter in that central Maryland has not experienced any significant snowfall thus far, but now is not the time to get complacent about winter weather,” said Jeannette M. Mills, senior vice president and chief customer officer for BGE, in a press release.

“Just as BGE prepares for weather-related power outages, so should our customers," said Mills.

In advance of the storm, BGE recommended doing the following:

• Fuel your vehicle
• Keep batteries, flashlights and blankets handy
• Charge cell phones

For Saturday, the NWS forecast temperatures in the mid to upper 30s.

The NWS also said there is "potential" for a wintry mix on Sunday evening.