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Md. Feeling Its Coldest Temperatures In Decades

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Winter overload. If the weather is wearing you down, we're not done yet. A new round of snow and ice is on its way.

Rick Ritter has more on the extreme cold.

It's cold like this that's ripping across the region, causing problems. It also has State Highway Administration urging drivers to stay off the roads.

Bundling up across Baltimore just isn't enough.

"The cold goes right through you, no matter what you wear," said Daryl Austin.

Freezing temperatures deliver a nasty punch.

"It's like, ugh. It's hitting you in the face," said Genesis Noboa.

Maryland is hit with its coldest stretch in decades.

"This is about the coldest I think I can ever remember it," said Austin.

This season, it's been nonstop for State Highway Administration.

"We used about 186,000 tons of salt so far statewide," said Charlie Gishlar, State Highway Administration.

Now, crews gear up for yet another winter storm.

"Especially with a storm like this where you're dealing with snow and then sleet and then freezing rain. It's going to be a mess in certain times," said Gishlar.

Over the weekend, State Highway Administration says it won't use standard salt along the roadways. Instead, it will use a mix with magnesium chloride, which is strong enough to melt the ice in these freezing temps.

The unbearable cold is taking a toll on our bodies.

Already this winter, there have been six cold weather-related deaths in the city--21 around the state.

"Just today, we had a patient with hypothermia," said Dr. Darren Mareiniss, Mercy Medical Center.

The cold wreaks havoc on public transportation as well, with Amtrak delayed due to tracks and equipment issues.

"Our crews are working diligently and hope to resume our scheduled operations soon," said Christina Leeds, Amtrak.

Some are doing everything they can to stay warm. Others thought Baltimore was off the hook.

Ritter: "What about with more snow coming tomorrow night?"

Noboa: "I didn't even know that."

Ritter: "You didn't know there was more snow coming tomorrow?"

Noboa: "No!"

This weekend is shaping up to be a mess.

"It's going to be very treacherous. So stay home, be warm and let us get out there and do this," said Gishlar.

State Highway Administration says if you see a wet spot on the road, assume it's ice and drive slowly.

Amtrak plans to be back on schedule Saturday.

Baltimore City also extended a Code Blue alert to Saturday in anticipation of more cold and snow.

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