BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The cleanup is underway after the season’s first significant winter storm blew through Maryland.
Now residents are left scraping and clearing away all the ice and snow that fell and crews are out clearing the roads before everything refreezing again overnight.
READ MORE: COVID-19 In Maryland: 17 Deaths Reported Saturday As Hospitalizations Continue To DeclineA lot of people spent the morning clearing off the thick layer of ice left on their cars and in their driveways.
That ice made the commute this morning treacherous and dozens of accidents were reported along state and local roads.
Matthew Hamilton got a later start Thursday.
“I was supposed to head to work, but it was too bad this morning so I had to wait until the plow came through,” Hamilton said.
He spent much of the morning cleaning off this wintery mess on his and his wife’s cars.
“The ice is pretty thick especially along the front windshield because she had to drive home in it and it just caked up along the side of the car,” Hamilton said.
Nearby 92-year-old Francis Damiloski was up this morning snow blowing his driveway with his stepson
“That stuff is thick and heavy and that little snowblower I got to keep pushing it the whole time,” Damiloski said.
In Harford County, it’s much of the same with the ice being a concern.
“I wish there was more snow less ice,” said one resident, who said he was on the lookout for black ice.
The Maryland State Highway Administration said it has about 2,000 pieces of equipment out now clearing away the snow. They say if a surface looks wet assume it is ice and take it slow when heading out.
The National Weather Service issued a statement Thursday morning warning drivers about icy roads.
READ MORE: Preakness Back To Semi-Normal With 10K Fans Expected At Pimlico SaturdayOfficials asked that Marylanders stay home, so crews continue to clear roadways.
Maryland’s First Winter Storm Brings Snow, Sleet And Rain; Refreeze Is A Concern
Anyone leaving their homes is urged to use caution while driving. You should also give yourself additional time to get where you need to be.
Additional minor snow and ice accumulations will occur overnight, but the bulk of the storm has now passed. However, falling temperatures may lead to increasingly icy roads, even in locales where mainly rain fell. Use caution overnight! pic.twitter.com/P8xnLNUirH
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) December 17, 2020
Also if you have to go out to walk your dog, be careful as sidewalks and roadways are slippery.
Although it’ll be cold Thursday, Meteorologist Tim Williams said the sun will help melt some of this frozen mess on the ground.
But then refreezing will again be a concern overnight.
There is a frozen mess on the ground that gradually start to thaw today. Temps get above freezing and with help from the sun will begin melting the wintry mix. Expect a high near 38°. Watch for refreezing overnight of anything that melts during today. Lows will drop into the 20°s pic.twitter.com/f3XqDA02zt
— Tim Williams WJZ (@TimWilliamsWJZ) December 17, 2020
Stay up-to-date with the latest forecast by downloading the WJZ weather app.
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