First Snow Impacts Schools, Roads in Essex

The season's first snow storm led to area schools closing early while slick roads caused by the weather led to a several car accidents in the region.

Baltimore County Public Schools announced it was closing an hour early due to the season's first snowfall.

Also, all after school and evening activities have been canceled today. The same is true for Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which had already scheduled to close schools at 1:30 p.m. The Community College of Baltimore County is operating on normal posted schedule at all of its campuses.

According to the National Weather Service, a winter weather advisory remains in effect until 9 p.m. for Baltimore, Harford, Carroll and Frederick counties, along with Baltimore City. A winter weather advisory means periods of snow will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibility.

Snow began falling in the area around 11 a.m. and the afternoon rush hour will be impacted. Temperatures are only expected to reach the mid-20s today with light and variable winds. The National Weather Service also expects temperatures to reach the mid-30s on Friday and for the rest of the weekend.

Local and state workers appeared ready for the storm.

By 3 p.m. Baltimore County had 300 pieces of county and contractor equipment and 400 people out on county roads, according to Tim Burgess, chief of the county Bureau of Highways.

Burgess was driving around the Catonsville area where he said snow accumulation was slightly higher than what he had seen in Towson.

"It's extremely cold and the traffic is keeping us from doing our jobs right now," said Burgess, noting that traffic volumes were heavier than usual because of early school dismissal.

Burgess said the efforts are focused on salting county roadways. Temperatures, which were below 25 degrees, were hampering efforts.

"It's pretty slick out here," said Burgess, adding that the light snow was quickly bonding to road surfaces.

Salt is effective down to zero degrees but Burgess said that once the temperature drops to around 23 degrees the roads will refreeze if salt is not re-applied frequently.

"Right now were in a salting operation," Burgess said. "We'll be in a plowing operation before it's over but I don't anticipate that happening until after rush hour."

The county has budgeted about $6 million for snow removal efforts — a figure that is based on an average of recent years. The budget figure, however, is merely a placeholder and county officials say they will spend what is needed to keep roadways passable throughout the winter.

Last winter, the county spent nearly $14 million more than budgeted in order to clear back-to-back blizzards. The county received nearly $4 million in reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help offset those costs.Lora Rakowski, a spokeswoman for the Maryland State Highway Administration, said that because of early school closings there has been a greater volume of traffic on roadways earlier.

She said because of that and traffic moving slower rush hour conditions will start a little earlier and extend into the evening for the Baltimore Metro area.  Rakowski said that so far there hasn't been much accumulation on the roadways just some on the shoulder and along the center of the roads.   

She also said there haven't been any major accidents reported to MSHA.

"There have been a couple of crashes mostly single vehicles into guardrails probably indicating folks going a little too fast for conditions," Rakowski said.      

Before the morning rush hour 1,300 road crews statewide and 400 in the Baltimore metro area were activated.   

Rakowski urged motorists to slowdown and advised drivers to remember the speed limits are for optimal conditions.

Rakowski also urged drivers to take a look at the state's roads website www.roads.maryland.gov before they make their decision to get into their cars and drive.





 

School or District Status Baltimore County Schools
Closing 1 hour early
Mount Carmel
All afterschool events are cancelled
CCBC Essex
Operating under normal schedule
Franklin Square Hospital Evening classes canceled