BALTIMORE, MD — The Baltimore City Department of Transportation is gearing up for yet another round of winter weather that is expected to impact the Baltimore region starting early Thursday morning.

The latest weather forecasts predict a long-duration storm that will bring a variety of wintry precipitation beginning early Thursday and continuing throughout the night.  Precipitation will begin as snow during the Thursday morning commute and be heavy at times before changing to sleet and possibly freezing rain later in the day. 

“With heavy snow expected throughout the morning on Thursday, our crews will be working diligently to ensure that city streets are as safe as possible for the morning commute,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott.   “I encourage all residents to delay their morning travels if at all possible so that our snow team can efficiently work to treat city streets, as conditions can change rapidly and become hazardous for travel.”

The Baltimore City Snow Team will deploy at 2:00 a.m. on Thursday and will closely monitor weather and roadway conditions.  City gateways and primary roadways have been pre-treated with salt brine to reduce the adhesion of snow and ice to roadway surfaces.  With nearly 300 pieces of equipment, a full complement of contractor forces and a replenished salt supply, the city is fully prepared for the weather ahead.

“The city’s snow team has been working hard these past few weeks in response to the back-to-back storms, and we are prepared yet again for another round of winter weather,” said Department of Transportation Director Steve Sharkey.  “Our snow team will work to efficiently treat city streets, but we urge all residents not to drive during the storm.” 

Residents are encouraged to plan ahead and be prepared for inclement weather.  Motorists are advised not to travel during the storm so that snow crews can treat city streets more efficiently.  Vehicles that become disabled obstruct the movement of plows and hinder removal efforts. 

Residents who must travel are encouraged to take the following precautions:

• Completely clear snow from your vehicle before driving.  Snow on your vehicle can fall off while driving and create hazardous conditions for other motorists. 
• Reduce speeds while driving in winter weather and allow extra stopping distance for safety.  Posted speed limits are based on ideal weather conditions and not recommended for snow.  Remember to ‘take it slow on ice and snow’ if traveling.
• Motorists should never “crowd the plow” by staying behind working snow vehicles and allowing them plenty of space to operate.
• Be aware that conditions can change rapidly, and winter precipitation can cause roadways to become slick, especially on bridges, ramps, overpasses and less frequently traveled areas.

Trash and Recycling Collections

DPW announced the cancellation of trash and recycling collections for Thursday, February 18th.  The make-up day for the Thursday collection cancellation is Saturday, February 20th.

In addition, due to the expected inclement weather, the following DPW facilities will be CLOSED:

• Northwest Citizens' Convenience Center, 2840 Sisson Street
• Southwestern Citizens’ Convenience Center, 701 Reedbird Avenue
• Eastern Citizens’ Convenience Center, 6101 Bowleys Lane

The following DPW facilities will remain OPEN:

• The Northwest Transfer Station, 5030 Reisterstown Road
• Quarantine Road Landfill, 6100 Quarantine Road.

COVID-19 Testing Sites

Testing sites will make every attempt to remain open, but may need to close due to adverse weather conditions.  For status updates please visit coronavirus.baltimorecity.gov/testing or follow the Baltimore City Health Department’s social media accounts for updates before coming to a testing site.

Winter Shelters

In addition to the city’s snow operations, a Winter Shelter Declaration has been issued in Baltimore City which will remain in effect until 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 22nd.  Residents in need of shelter should call 443-984-9540 or dial 211.  For more information, please visit the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services website at: Winter Shelter | Mayor's Office of Homeless Services (baltimorecity.gov).

Power Outages:

Ice and snow can accumulate on tree limbs, which can then pull-down power lines and lead to power outages from downed wires. If you experience a power outage or need to report a downed wire, please call 877.778.2222.  BGE asks all customers, including those with smart meters, to report their outage.  Outages may also be reported online, by texting OUT to MYBGE (69243), and via BGE’s free mobile app available today at the Apple Store or GooglePlay.  BGE crews work as safely and quickly as possible to restore power.

For updated weather forecasts and traffic conditions, residents should tune into local news stations, check media resources and visit the city’s snow page at snow.baltimorecity.gov.

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