1/5/2024 0 Comments Maryland weather todayAny of these forms of winter precipitation can cause severe to major travel disruptions, school delays and closings, and even power outages in some cases. When people think of winter in Maryland, they typically think about snow! And while our winter weather certainly does come in the form of snow, it can also come as sleet and freezing rain. Finally, in extreme western Maryland, in the mountains, places like Accident and Oakland typically pick up their first inch of snow by late November. Across central and western Maryland the first inch is usually measured by early December. On average, our first inch of snowfall in and around Baltimore usually takes place in late December. In fact, winter weather is possible anytime from October through May across Maryland, but the most common months for it are December through March. While winter officially arrives Decemat 10:27 p.m., winter weather in the form of snow and/or ice can arrive as early as October in Maryland. The main takeaway here is that when looking at El Niño alone to determine the likelihood of significant snowfall in the Mid-Atlantic, we typically see more snow during moderate and strong El Niño episodes.įurthermore, moderate El Niño events tend to produce higher chances of above-normal snowfall for our area than strong El Niño events, likely due to the transport of warmer air northward. Interestingly, during moderate El Niño winters, temperatures were mostly below average, while during winters with a strong El Niño, temperatures were often above average (5 out of 7, to be exact). Moderate El Niño winters produced 5 of 8 above-average snowfalls. From 1950 to 2016, 4 of 7 strong El Niño winters experienced above-average snowfall. The real sweet spot for significant snow during an El Niño winter in the Mid-Atlantic is when it is a moderate one, rather than a strong one, like the one we are transitioning toward. Typically, ENSO-negative winters lead to higher chances for accumulating snowfall events in the Baltimore area. This pattern leads to wet conditions across the southern United States, an elevated severe weather threat on the Gulf Coast, and drier-than-normal conditions for the Ohio Valley. This pattern, which occurs when the waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean are warmer than average, leads to an active subtropical jet stream that is suppressed across the southern United States. Over the spring and summer, we began transitioning from a La Niña pattern to what is likely to become a strong El Niño (ENSO negative) heading into the heart of winter. This year is showing signs of being markedly different. La Niña is the cooling of the waters in the equatorial Pacific, which leads to an altered jet stream pattern around the globe. The main influence from last year was a La Niña pattern (ENSO positive), which led to unseasonably warm weather, especially for the latter portion of winter. Baltimore typically sees an average of about 20 inches of snow per year. 0.2 inches of snow were recorded on February 1 at BWI, which was the only measurable snow for the entire season. In fact, it was Baltimore's least snowy winter on record. Last year's winter was dominated by above-average temperatures and snowfall that was well below average. At the same time, a moisture source needs to transport the moisture into our area to bring the chance for snow. To get the cold air, the jet stream needs to be configured in a way that brings the cold air southward. Both need to be present at the same time to create the potential for wintry weather. There are two main things needed to get wintry weather: cold enough air and a moisture source. With this year's winter showing signs of being markedly different from the last, WJZ First Alert Meteorologists Derek Beasley, Steve Sosna, Meg McNamara, and Tim Williams are predicting how much snow we can expect this winter, the temperatures we might see, and the variety of severe weather that could impact the region. Compared to last year, which saw record-low snowfall amounts for the entire winter in Baltimore, this year hints at a better chance for some accumulating snow. Will it snow in Maryland this year? WJZ meteorologists predict this winter's weather 05:24īALTIMORE - With another winter season fast approaching, many of you are likely wondering about our chances for snow this season.
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