Winter Storm Warning Issued, Snowquester Looming

The National Weather Service has made its move: A winter storm warning has been issued, in effect for Howard County and much of the Baltimore-Washington metro area.

According to NWS, there is a 100 percent chance of precipitation Tuesday night – likely rain "mixing with and changing to wet snow" Wednesday morning and not tapering off until Wednesday night. In addition to wet, heavy snow, winds are expected to gust as fast as 35 mph Wednesday afternoon and night, making the roads dangerous and potentially leading to power outages. 

Follow the conversation on Twitter uisng #MDSnow and #HoCoSnow

that even with the preparations the company has been making, "Storms will result in power outages, especially when conditions include high winds and quick snow," conditions which, she wrote, can slow the process of restoration. 

Mills said BGE customers should prepare for the possibility of extended outages and that for those who rely on medical equipment "It’s essential that you have back up power sources and prepare for the option of an alternate location to wait out the storm."

Report outages on your mobile phone at www.bge.com or by calling 877-778-2222. Follow @MyBGE on Twitterfor updates

Howard County Police on Facebook reminded residents to use generators correctly: Outdoors only, away from windows, doors and vents. After the Derecho, the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services located at least three homes with unsafe levels of carbon monoxide from improper generator use; now is a good time to test the batteries in carbon monoxide generators at home.

In addition to safety at home, police remind residents to be safe on the roads; most easily by limiting travel. The Department of Public Works will begin salting the roads in Howard County after midnight Tuesday, according to County Council member Courtney Watson, which is when NWS forecasts the rain/snow mix to begin.

Once the snow gets going, police remind residents that if they must drive:

• Treat inoperative street lights like four-way stops, it's the law.
• Be aware that police officers may be directing traffic in the roads: slow down and be alert
• Be alert for downed trees, wires and road closures 

The County government has not yet made a decision as to whether or not offices will open Wednesday, according to County Executive Ken Ulman, and Howard County Public Schools will announce whether schools will be open before 5:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Take our poll: Should school be canceled Wednesday?

A school cancellation would delay the completion of the Maryland State Assessment test, which students started on Tuesday. 

Keep up with Ken Ulman, Courtney Watson, Calvin Ball and the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services on Facebook.

Trash and recycling pickup has been canceled for Wednesday, and will operate on a slide scheulde for the rest of the week.