Snowfall

While the BWI snowfall was 0.4 inches, the National Weather Service spotters around the region found up to 2.6 inches. The 2.6 inches was measured by a spotter in Parkton. Other totals include 1.2 in Pimlico, 1.8 in Perry Hall and 1.4 in Savage. See more spotter totals here.

The snow on the day after the Christian observance of Palm Sunday and the first day of the Jewish observance of Passover was certainly an unusual occurrence in Harford County. The most vital of holidays for both faiths are very closely associated with springtime and the re-emergence of life. In Passover, the coming of age of the Jewish nation is celebrated as it signifies the Hebrew nation's departure from the despair of slavery in Egypt to freedom in a Promised Land, a territory flowing with milk and honey.

Maryland Weather blog readers predicted a wide range of potential snowfall this winter in Baltimore, but on average, did not stray far from history. On average, readers are predicting 20.4 inches of snowfall in our annual forecasting contest , slightly above the average of 20 inches. Guesses ranged from a light 6.9 inches -- still 5 inches more than last winter's paltry 1.8 inches -- to 37 inches. The median guess was 20 inches, meaning readers are evenly divided in expecting an above- or below-average season.

Depending on how you look at it, snowfall this winter was either a disappointment or an improvement in Baltimore. The seasonal tally of 8 inches through Monday at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport ranks as the 16th least snowy season on record for Baltimore. It was more than four times as much snow as the winter before, but also the second-smallest season snowfall total in more than a decade. After the winter of 2009-2010 -- that of "Snowmageddon", "Snowverkill" or whatever else you want to call it -- everything else pales in comparison.

One month into this meteorological winter, 1.4 inches of snow had fallen in Baltimore, but there is little certainty of more in sight. What do the record books say about what could happen next? In eight years whose snowfall through December was within a quarter inch of what Baltimore has seen so far this year, the seasonal total topped the average 18-20 inches three times: 34 inches in 1959-1960, 24 inches in 1992-1993, and 34 inches in 1923-1924. For the rest, snowfall was between 9 inches and 14 inches.

A relatively weak system dusted the region with snow Friday afternoon, prompting schools, courts and libraries to close early and slowing the evening commute. The anticipation of a treacherous afternoon rush hour had many starting their weekends early. Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard county schools all dismissed early. The Enoch Pratt Free Library closed all branches at 2:45 p.m. The closings got rush-hour traffic started around 1:30 p.m., State Highway Administration spokesman David Buck said.

1:51 p.m.:  The National Weather Service has now canceled the winter weather advisory about four hours early. Light snow and flurries are possible, but no additional accumulation is expected, according to the advisory. Drivers should still take caution on bridges and overpasses, which could remain slushy, the advisory cautions. The latest snowfall totals reported to the weather service include 5 inches near Pimlico, in Catonsville and near Westminster. Spotters reported 5.4 inches near Columbia and 5.2 inches near Garrison.

Depending on how you look at it, snowfall this winter was either a disappointment or an improvement in Baltimore. The seasonal tally of 8 inches through Monday at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport ranks as the 16th least snowy season on record for Baltimore. It was more than four times as much snow as the winter before, but also the second-smallest season snowfall total in more than a decade. After the winter of 2009-2010 -- that of "Snowmageddon", "Snowverkill" or whatever else you want to call it -- everything else pales in comparison.

Another fast-moving dusting of snow could snarl the Friday evening commute, with a dangerous chill still not expected to lift until early next week. The cold snap has already contributed to some deaths, state health officials said, though an exact count wasn't available. An inch of snow that fell Thursday morning caused widespread crashes, and state highway officials are preparing for a similar situation Friday afternoon, though cautioned there is only so much they can do on crowded roadways and given the frigid weather.

Meteorologist Rich Hitchens was monitoring a winter storm headed for Baltimore on three computer screens last night. "It's on its way," he said of a warm-air system from the Gulf of Mexico on a collision course with the cold air over the Mid-Atlantic region. The storm could bolster this month's snow total significantly. It is expected to blanket Central Maryland with 6 to 10 inches of snow before midnight, when it would push north, Hitchens said from the National Weather Service office in Sterling, Va. Forecasters declared a heavy snow warning for 24 hours starting at 1 a.m. today but said the bulk of the snow would fall between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The new snow was unlikely to set records, but even a little would push Baltimore over the average of 6.4 inches for February snowfall.

1:51 p.m.:  The National Weather Service has now canceled the winter weather advisory about four hours early. Light snow and flurries are possible, but no additional accumulation is expected, according to the advisory. Drivers should still take caution on bridges and overpasses, which could remain slushy, the advisory cautions. The latest snowfall totals reported to the weather service include 5 inches near Pimlico, in Catonsville and near Westminster. Spotters reported 5.4 inches near Columbia and 5.2 inches near Garrison.

The blanket of as much as 5 inches of wet, slushy snow that fell across the Baltimore area Monday was the heaviest snowfall of an underwhelming season and the latest measurable springtime snow in a decade. The snow caused a few distruptions for morning commuters and minor power outages. It gave a snow day to some schoolchildren eager for sledding and snowball fights after a winter of multiple disappointments. "I've got to do something, or I'll have a mutiny," said Clark Lare, chuckling, as he bought bacon and eggs to feed his son, Jack, and daughter, Sasha, at Whole Foods in Mount Washington.

March snowfall is not uncommon in the Baltimore area, with 2 inches on average during the month. But some storms have dumped much more than that -- though it is typically wet snow that disappears quickly. March storms in 1942, 1892, 1962 and 1993 rank among the 20 heaviest snowfalls on record for Baltimore, according to National Weather Service data. An 8-inch snow fell in mid-March 1858, the heaviest of that winter season. But it was described as "light. " "In a very short time, the streets were in fine condition for sleighing, and the jingle of the bells was heard in every direction," according to Sun archives.

9:30 p.m. UPDATE: Forecasters are maintaining decent snow chances for Carroll County and along the Mason-Dixon Line in Baltimore and Harford counties, but for most of the Baltimore area, Wednesday night's system is expected to bring another dusting of snow . Original post, as of 4:37 p.m.: About 36 hours ahead of potential snowfall, forecasters were calling for at least an inch or two and possibly 4 inches of accumulation overnight Wednesday,...

A winter weather advisory expired about 9:30 a.m. Friday across the Baltimore area, after flurries fell during the morning commute, according to the National Weather Service. Cold and windy conditions are expected through the rest of the day, with snow showers possible in the afternoon. Accumulation reports range from a dusting to an inch or more . Snowfall totals include half an inch at Cylburn Arboretum, 0.8 inches in Catonsville, 0.2 inches in Long Green, 0.7 inches in Severn and 1 inch in Pasadena.

A relatively weak system dusted the region with snow Friday afternoon, prompting schools, courts and libraries to close early and slowing the evening commute. The anticipation of a treacherous afternoon rush hour had many starting their weekends early. Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard county schools all dismissed early. The Enoch Pratt Free Library closed all branches at 2:45 p.m. The closings got rush-hour traffic started around 1:30 p.m., State Highway Administration spokesman David Buck said.

Now that the snow has stopped falling, weather forecasters are looking ahead warily at the danger of flooding as temperatures begin to rise and rain approaches later in the week. "Rain is a wonderful melter of snow," said National Weather Service meteorologist Michelle Margraf. "When temperatures start warming up a bit, and rain comes Friday ... we could have some river-type flooding." The forecast called for daily highs in the mid-40s beginning tomorrow, with a chance of rain developing by Thursday night and continuing through Saturday.

FRIE Westminster: Westminster and Reese investigated an odor in the 800 block of Snowfall Way in Autumn Ridge at 4:50 a.m yesterday. Units were out 17 minutes.

With so many public school jurisdictions canceling afternoon activities because of the impending snowfall, Basketball Academy officials have been forced to shuffle the schedule for today's games after all. School officials in Kent and Prince George's, as well as Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties closed schools early and postponed all games scheduled for this afternoon and tonight, so boys teams from Kent County, Largo,...

Another fast-moving dusting of snow could snarl the Friday evening commute, with a dangerous chill still not expected to lift until early next week. The cold snap has already contributed to some deaths, state health officials said, though an exact count wasn't available. An inch of snow that fell Thursday morning caused widespread crashes, and state highway officials are preparing for a similar situation Friday afternoon, though cautioned there is only so much they can do on crowded roadways and given the frigid weather.