WEATHER BLOG: Winter Storm Watch

Just as we wrap up rain from this current storm, a new one is on the way that may bring a dose of winter to the state.

A winter storm watch goes into effect Thursday for all counties south of Baltimore and from Queen Anne's county south on the Eastern Shore. This storm is coming from the south with a lot of moisture. However, it will initially be moving into warm air while also combatting drier air just off to our north. So there is going to be a fine line where we see nothing at all ranging to accumulating snow.

Rain will mix with sleet and snow during the midday hours before changing over to all snow Thursday late afternoon/evening. Since temperatures will be above freezing earlier in the day, the first rounds of snow will melt on the roadways. But as the sun starts to set and temperatures drop, the rain/snowfall will pick up in intensity. That will drag even colder air down from the atmosphere, leading to a better chance for accumulation.

What we are thinking snowfall wise is maybe a trace north of the city to 1-3" south of the city and along the Eastern Shore. For extreme southern Maryland on the western shore side, we have a zone of 2-4" (and that is south of D.C.).

This will all move away for Friday, finally allowing sunshine to return. It will be cold, though. Highs will only be in the 30s with lows dropping to the 20s that night. Temperatures recover with more sunshine over the weekend before another front comes through probably Monday. There could be some snow showers with this one as it rushes through from the northwest. It will kick up the winds and bring maybe our coldest air of the season early next week. Highs for the inauguration will be in the 30s and maybe only in the 20s by Tuesday.