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Maryland Gets Ready For Possible March Snow

BALTIMORE (WJZ) --   A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for most of Maryland from Tuesday evening through Wednesday.

A Winter Storm Watch means accumulations of more than 5 inches of snow is possible. Click here to read tips on how to prepare for the winter weather.

Meteorologist Bernadette Woods has a closer look at the forecast.

The storm is coming in from the Midwest. It will intensify significantly as it passes across the Mid-Atlantic and it contains a lot of moisture.

Related Story: BGE Prepares For Approaching Storm

Temperatures will be borderline for accumulation, but the atmospheric profile will support snow down through the 95 corridor and maybe the Eastern Shore.

Even though the temperatures will be ranging from 30-36 degrees during the storm, accumulation is still possible.  If the snow comes down hard enough, it will overcome the ground temperature hovering around 32/33 degrees.  And, some of this will come down overnight Tuesday and Wednesday, which would also help support snow piling up.  However, the warmer air will win out with rain or melting snow if it doesn't come down hard enough.  And as always, the farther north and west you go from 95, the better chance you have at getting accumulations.

The storm will linger into the early morning hours of Thursday before moving away.  One thing we do know is that warmer air is moving our way for Friday.  That, in combination with the March sun, would create great melting conditions.

TIMELINE:

Tuesday: Clouds come in during the evening and a snow/mix starts. The storm will really pick up overnight Tuesday into Wednesday.

Wednesday: Overnight Tuesday - Wednesday afternoon will be our best chance for accumulating snow. Overall, it will be a "very sloppy mess."  There will be heavy rain at the beaches.  High winds and coastal erosion are possible. While this is going on, the wind will also be picking up, which means that coastal flooding and erosion are possible.

Overnight Wednesday:  There will still be a rain/snow mix, which will end Thursday morning.

ACCUMULATIONS:

As we said, temperatures will be close to 32 degrees during a lot of the storm, so rain and sleet will limit snowfall accumulation amounts. We are still expecting accumulations of 6-12" starting north and west of the city, with the higher amounts in the mountains; 3-6" around the I-95 corridor; 1-3" for a lot of the Eastern Shore and southern Maryland; then only a mix along the lower Eastern Shore...but with high winds, coastal flooding, and beach erosion, as we mentioned before.

Drivers should be careful during rush hours on Wednesday and Thursday morning. There is also a chance of re-freezing at night, but temperatures will be above freezing on Thursday and Friday.

Check: Current Conditions| Radar & Maps

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