Could it be? NWS forecasts 6 to 10 inches
If they're right, it would be the deepest snowfall for Baltimore in more than three years and a record total for the date. Here's the forecast.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Central Maryland from 2 p.m. this afternoon until 2 p.m. Monday as an approaching low-pressure system reaches the 
Atlantic coast, intensifies, and clashes with the cold air in place across the region. It covers everybody in Maryland from Frederick County east, and on up the coast through eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York City, southern New York and most of southern New England.
Here, the warning calls for 6 to 10 inches of snow before it all ends on Monday. (This morning's dusting came from a separate disturbance, but suggests that conditions are ripe for a snow event.) You can watch the temperature and barometer fall here, on The Sun's weather instruments at Calvert & Centre streets, as the storm approaches.
In contrast to the usual pattern, forecasters expect slightly deeper amounts to the south and east of the I-95 corridor, and lighter totals to the north and west.
Such a total would be the deepest for BWI since a 13-inch accumulation Feb. 11-12, 2006. Prof. Foot seems pretty juiced about this storm. Teachers and students will likely get a break. If we get more than 6 inches before midnight tonight, it will snap the 6-inch record for a March 1 in Baltimore, set in 1952. And if we top 3.7 inches on Monday, it will break a record set here on Mar. 2, 1969.
AccuWeather.com's snowmap hasn't changed since I last checked. But the NWS forecast would seem to shift the heavier now slightly north and west, including Baltimore more squarely in the heavier accumulations.
Here's this morning's discussion from Sterling. They expect that the heaviest snowfall will occur late today and tonight, followed by light-to-moderate snows tomorrow, with gustier winds blowing it around. Expect sharply colder temperatures Tuesday as winter drops back for a visit in the wake of last week's flirtation with spring.
Okay, readers? NOW what do you think? Fab snow or Flop?
Comments
Sigh, I was just beginning to wish for Spring. Oh well, I wanted a real snowstorm all winter, so here we go.
Posted by: Lesley | March 1, 2009 8:53 AM
From my standpoint it is quite ironic that the biggest snowstorm of the year yields less snow totals north and west of the suburbs.
I'm hoping for another shift west! Whatever, its 4-ish inches. I will take that any day.
Posted by: Dakota | March 1, 2009 10:10 AM
This seems like one of those storms that they have not hyped to death, so we might get it! Hope so!
Posted by: pigtown*design | March 1, 2009 10:18 AM
I, for one, welcome that we are finally getting snow. While it's later than usual, I, for one, appreciate it. It's been so long.
By the way, pleasure meeting you on Friday night while out and about.
FR: Likewise!
Posted by: JJT | March 1, 2009 11:27 AM
Until I'm out in the driveway shoveling my way out, I'll wait for the snow with bated breath. But I'm hoping, I'm hoping.
K-
Posted by: Kem White | March 1, 2009 1:08 PM
Don't be "Weather Wussies". Snow is great! The best part is laughing at the fact that the entire state shuts down if 2 flakes of snow fall.
But if history prevails, it will be sunny and 65 degrees tonight. It's almost impossible to predict this kind of weather in the mid-Atlantic.
Either way, RUN!!!!! RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN FOR YOUR TOILET PAPER, MILK, AND LOTTERY TICKETS!!!!! WEATHER IS COMING!!!!
Posted by: Jeff P. | March 1, 2009 2:06 PM
And I thought the positive of global warming was going to be early springs.
Guess I'll just have to just watch the snow and wonder why Obama is putting so much pork in his stimulus package.
Posted by: RetroActive | March 1, 2009 2:39 PM
No school tomorrow!!!
Posted by: John | March 1, 2009 2:42 PM
FR: I enjoy astronomy almost as much as you do and I'd take no stargazing for a couple of months in exchange for one decent Baltimore snow.
The city never looks so beautiful or is so silent as when it's blanketed with a foot or more of the white stuff.
Cross your fingers. I have.
Stephen
Posted by: Brockelman | March 1, 2009 3:26 PM
Frank- is this a nor'easter? if not, could you refresh me/ explain the difference between this storm and that?
n is for noreaster :)
FR: If it plays out as advertised, yes, it would be classified as a nor'easter. Here's a description: http://www.weather.com/encyclopedia/winter/noreast.html
Posted by: Mather | March 1, 2009 4:34 PM
Put me down for 'flop.'
The upper LOW is shearing apart as it lifts out to the NE. No arctic HIGH parked over New England. Most heavy snow comes from the deformation zone associated with the storm system/s comma head...which looks as pathetic today as it did yesterday.
Metro-Balto sees a 2-hr burst around midnight... then 2-3-hrs of light snow between 7 and 10 AM.
6-10"? Not at BWI.
Posted by: TQ | March 1, 2009 4:50 PM
Does anyone remember whether Puxatony Phil saw his shadow back on Feb 2? The upcoming storm would certainly support the evidence that he did!!
FR: He did indeed. http://www.punxsutawneyphil.com/
Posted by: Susan | March 1, 2009 5:20 PM
Let it snow! Let it snow!!
To RetroActive:
Global Climate Change is NOT synonymous with uniform warming across the globe. With Global Climate Change, as currently understood, upper Europe (The UK, Ireland, Northern France, etc.) could get much colder while the average global temperature increases.
In other words, some places could get colder, but the overall temperature of the world will most likely get warmer. Some places will get more precipitation, some less. Some places will get the same amount of precipitation, but instead of 3-4 inches each month on average, it might be six months of 6-8 inches per month, and six months of little to no precipitation.
It's called Global Climate Change for a reason, and the key word is "CHANGE".
FR: Bless you...
Posted by: MOI | March 1, 2009 6:07 PM
Frank....
I am getting a bit worried. Marguisity has been down playing this storm like no other and saying its a dud!! Does that mean the opposite will happen, or does he really know what he's talking about?
Dunno why he'd be the only person to downplay, while warning still says 5-7 west of I-95.
Please give some insight...
FR: Pay no attention to the main behind the curtain. Henry tends to be up when others are down, and down when others are up. That's where he likes to be.
Posted by: Dakota Smith | March 1, 2009 6:54 PM