Once more, the weather forecasts don’t bode well for highway travelers this weekend. According to the latest weather reports, 3 to 5 inches of snow, freezing rain and sleet will create potentially hazardous driving conditions. The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is on alert and preparing for whatever precipitation ultimately falls throughout Maryland Saturday and Sunday morning. SHA crews will NOT pre-treat roads with salt brine because it will freeze on contact with today’s extremely cold temperatures.
“SHA will be ready with our plows and plenty of salt, however, sleet and freezing rain pose hazards for drivers of any type of vehicle,” said SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters. “If you must travel this weekend, be prepared for challenging conditions by reviewing the Tips for Driving in Winter Weather. Most importantly, slow down, leave extra distance between vehicles, don’t crowd the plow and focus on just driving.”
According to the latest National Weather Service models, three-to five inches of snow is expected to gradually change over to sleet and freezing rain before leaving the State. Drivers should remain alert for power outages, fallen tree limbs and debris. Should a traffic signal lose power, State law mandates that all drivers must treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
Current travel information is available through Maryland’s free 511 service by calling 511 or 1(855) GOMD511 from a land-line or hands-free mobile phone, or prior to travel, logging onto http://www.md511.org/. The website includes live traffic camera views and other travel information.