Winter Storm Watch issued for Baltimore-area counties as Sunday system threatens accumulating snow into Monday

Watch highlights uncertainty in storm track and snowfall totals across central Maryland

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for portions of the Baltimore region ahead of a storm expected to arrive Sunday, Feb. 22, and continue into Monday, Feb. 23. Forecast confidence is higher that the region will see a period of wintry precipitation, but lower on where the heaviest snowfall sets up and whether temperatures will support significant road accumulation.

The watch covers a broad swath of central and eastern Maryland, including parts of Baltimore County as well as Cecil, Carroll, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Kent, and Caroline counties, with additional coverage extending into sections of Harford and Howard counties. A Winter Storm Watch is typically issued when conditions are favorable for hazardous winter weather within roughly 24 to 48 hours, but key details—such as the rain-to-snow changeover and final totals—can still shift.

Timing and precipitation type: rain first, then a potential switch to snow

Forecasts indicate the storm is likely to begin as rain or a rain-snow mix Sunday, with colder air arriving later. The most consequential period for accumulation is expected Sunday night into Monday morning, when temperatures are more likely to be near or below freezing. The Monday commute is the primary window for travel disruptions if snow rates increase or temperatures drop faster than expected.

Small changes in the storm’s track and intensity could shift the heaviest snow band north or south across the Baltimore region.

How much snow is possible, and why forecasters disagree

Current projections show a wide range of potential outcomes. Some forecasts support light-to-moderate accumulation—generally a few inches—while other scenarios allow for totals above 5 inches in parts of the watch area. The spread is tied to the storm’s coastal track and how quickly it strengthens, which influences how much cold air is pulled into the region and how long precipitation falls as snow instead of rain.

Temperatures near freezing can also limit accumulation, especially on treated roads and during daylight hours. Heavier, wetter snow is possible if the changeover occurs while surface temperatures remain marginal.

What residents and institutions are preparing for

A watch does not guarantee severe impacts, but it signals the potential for hazardous travel and service disruptions. Some school delays or closures Monday remain possible if snowfall increases or icy conditions develop.

• Travel impacts are most likely late Sunday through Monday morning.
• Heavier snow would raise the risk of localized power issues, particularly if snow is wet and winds increase.
• Forecast updates are expected through Saturday and Sunday as the storm track becomes clearer.

Residents across the Baltimore region are urged to monitor updated forecasts through the weekend, particularly if travel is planned Sunday night or early Monday.