patching...
Update: Get FREE local headlines delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for the Riverdale Park-University Park Patch newsletter. »
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

Wintry Forecast Downgraded

The National Weather Service now expects light precipitation only.

 

Updated, 4:47 p.m.:

The National Weather Service has downgraded its hazardous weather outlook, stating they only believe there will be light snowfall without any accumulation. 

Updated, 1:30 p.m.

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is asking that residents prepare for the storm by making sure they have plenty of gas in their car and keep a winter supply kit — blankets, bottled water, snacks and portable snow shovel and kitty litter or sand— in the vehicle in addition to the basic auto safety kit.

MEMA also asks that residents stay off the roadways unless absolutely necessary as road crews find it difficult to remove snow and ice when a storm hits during rush hour.

Original Story

The springlike weather of Tuesday had disappeared by Wednesday with snow in the forecast for the afternoon and evening hours.

According to the National Weather Service, there's a 100 percent chance of precipitation Wednesday in Prince George's County, beginning with rain and ending with snow.

Forecasters expect a mix of rain and snow begin in the afternoon, changing over to snow only at around 4 p.m.—just in time for the evening rush hour. Only about half an inch of accumulation is expected, according to the service.

The State Highway Administration will be pretreating the roadways in preparation for the weather.

“SHA will continue to closely monitor the storm, but we certainly need motorists to do their part as well,” said Melinda Peters, SHA Administrator.  “Traveling the roads this afternoon during the height of the normal rush hour should not be an option; plows need space to clear the roads and gridlocked traffic does not allow crews the opportunity to make the roads safe."

A high of 41 degrees and a low of 29 degrees are forecast.

For a full weather analysis, read the forecast on Accuweather.com.

Related Topics: Prince George's County, Rain, Snow, Weather, and Winter

Patch_comments_icon

Jenni Pompi

10:38 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Am I alone in wishing for just a little bit of real accumulation? My children's snow boots have touched nary a flake!

Reply

Shannon Hoffman

11:32 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012

I'd be down with one big snowstorm for the winter. Typically by mid-February, I'm sick of winter and ready to move south... Not this year.

Reply
Patch_comments_icon

John Davisson

12:05 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Agreed—I've always enjoyed having a big snowfall or two each winter. (Of course I don't have school-aged children, so I'd understand if not everyone is crazy about the idea.)

Reply

Pachacutec

3:14 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Prepare for the storm by having plenty of gas in the car, snacks, etc? They're calling for MAYBE an inch of snow! The way this area goes into panic-mode over a single snowflake is really sad. I personally would LOVE a nice big snowfall, but this isn't going to be 'it;' I think Mother Nature will hit us with a 'gotcha" later this month.

Reply

tcmitssr

3:52 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Rush the Co-Op! Every loaf of bread, every carton of milk and every roll of toilet paper needs to be purchased now! :-) LOL

Reply

Pachacutec

2:24 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012

Perhaps the forecast was downgraded yesterday afternoon, but the evening news coverage of the "storm" was not. How pathetic can you get, when SO much coverage is given to snow that barely covered the grass, even in the "Hardest hit" areas?

Reply
Comment_arrow

Bailey Henneberg

2:47 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012

Funny stuff Pachacutec. Even when I lived in Mississippi, what happened yesterday wouldn't have impressed us much.

Judawg

8:01 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012

Be careful what you wish for...you may just get it ! Personnally, I 'd love snow in December, around Christmas because it make the festivities so, so much nicer! My dog loves the snow too. My cat, hmm...not so much. We will get what we get when Mother Nature rears her loverly head. :)

Reply

Leave a comment