Is it a Bust? Snow's Not Over Yet

Howard County Public Schools, libraries and senior centers are closed. County officials are on "liberal leave.” The Howard County Emergency Operations Center has been activated since 4 a.m. Public works crews have been salting the roads since 3 a.m. Plows have been standing by.

But, “In a lot of the county, there’s nothing plowable,” county spokesman Mark Miller said. Residents can check the condition of county roads online.

The storm dubbed ‘Snowquester’ that has been dumping heavy, wet snow on the area since just after midnight Wednesday has not wrought the havoc that many were expecting. But as of noon Wednesday, the heaviest precipitation had not yet fallen. 

“We could get isolated ‘snow bombs’ this afternoon,” Miller said – small bursts of snow that could drop 1 to 2 inches per hour on the area.

According to the National Weather Service, we can also expect some isolated thunder. 

NWS ended the winter storm warning around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, and is now predicting a rain/ snow mix Wednesday evening. The heavy winds will persist and “A drier, biting northwest wind” will blow in early Thursday morning,” according to NWS.

According to Baltimore Gas and Electric Co., there are just about 40 reported outages in Howard County as of 12:30 p.m.; Miller said he was not aware of any problems with traffic signals or other county infrastructure.  “We’re really at the pivot point for this storm … wherever the snow/rain line is, it’s drifting back and forth.” 

The citizen hotline will be activated until at least 7 p.m., Miller said. It will be updated early Wednesday afternoon with the latest forecast, local conditions and available resources for residents: 410-313-2900. 

“Right now,” Miller said, “We’re kind of in waiting mode.”