Crews Out Again Clearing Area Roads In What Is Hopefully Winter's Last Blast
BALTIMORE (WJZ) --Winter isn't over yet. Much of Maryland is covered in snow yet again.
Derek Valcourt has more on how residents are dealing with this latest blast of winter weather.
This storm dumped anywhere between 3-9 inches of snow in Maryland.
At this point, many of us have lost track of how many snowstorms we've cleaned up after.
"Too many to count," one man said.
State and local road crews knew this one was coming and had equipment working throughout the night. They're clearing what is hopefully winter's last gasp.
By late morning, main arteries were clear but those secondary roads were still a challenge.
"The only good thing is that it's nice, fluffy, light snow even, though it's packed at the bottom. So we've been able to get it right off the cars and hopefully be able to get out of here without getting plowed in too many more times," one man said.
From Westminster, Carroll County to Columbia, Howard County to Reisterstown, Baltimore County to Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, snow blowers and snow shovels were out in force.
"If it freezes tonight, that's treacherous for somebody," one woman said.
State highway officials are also warning about below-freezing temperatures expected Monday night.
"So we are concerned toward refreeze. Anything that is wet right now has the possibility of freezing this evening and overnight, so we ask that drivers still be extremely cautious in their travels," said Lora Rakowski, State Highway Administration.
All this white is still not putting a damper on the green of St. Patty's Day.
"No matter how slushy, people show up," one woman said.
But for now, the snow is hiding bright-colored signs of spring that had just begun to show in some parts of Maryland.
"Just wish summer would be here," one man said.
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Meanwhile, the morning commute was a slippery one.
Alex DeMetrick reports if we aren't used to dealing with snow in Maryland by now, odds are we'll never be.
Related Story: St. Patrick's Day Snow Makes For Slippery Morning Commute
It was a cold dash to a weekend that saw spring-like temperatures. Salt trucks loaded up again, and rolled out as snow fell overnight...again.
But this time it tapered off with dawn and roads stayed warm enough that snow didn't pile up, although it was an issue early on, especially off the main roads.
While road crews quickly cleared main routes as the weather improved, it was yet another day of practice driving in the snow.
"It's just slippery out on the roads, just going to take it safely and slow," said Chris Kozlowski, motorist.
Not that there weren't spinouts and fender benders. There were. But the commute untangled once pavement reappeared, although not everyone chose cars for transportation.
"I live right down the street and with that hill and sliding down, they haven't come through yet, so I just walk up to the Safeway in the morning," said Lashella Stokely, Towson.
A lot of others did their walking behind snow shovels. It's always a good idea to completely clear your car before heading out.
Due to the weather conditions and federal government closures, all commuter bus services were shut down Monday. Route 201 to BWI may resume later in the day.
MARC trains are operating on a limited S schedule on the Penn, Camden and Brunswick Lines Monday. This means that only trains designated with an S at the top of the schedule column will operate. There are some bus diversions. To see a complete MARC Train schedule, click here.
Light Rail, Metro service and mobility services are operating on schedule.
Most schools in the area are closed. BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport is seeing cancellations, but is still open.
Related Link: Closings & Delays
In Annapolis, the mayor announced the city's four parking garages will be open to accommodate residents. It will also help crews clear the streets, making their efforts more effective.
If you're keeping track, the Baltimore metro area started digging Dec. 8. This is the first St. Patrick's Day in decades we're still digging.
"I think days like this, my husband's glad he married someone from Wisconsin," said a woman.
The SHA says so far this year it has spent about $125 million on snow removal. That's nearly three times as much as they budgeted for the entire winter.
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