(Updated at 7:15 p.m. Sunday) The National Weather Service on Sunday afternoon predicted 4-8 inches of snow for late Sunday night and Monday.
MCPS announced schools will be closed on Monday. Federal government offices will also be closed.
The NWS issued a Winter Storm Warning for the entire area on Sunday morning, then shifted its projected snow total downward at about 2 p.m.:
…WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM EST MONDAY…
* PRECIPITATION TYPE…FREEZING RAIN…SLEET…AND HEAVY SNOW.
* ACCUMULATIONS…UP TO ONE TENTH INCH OF ICE…FOLLOWED BY 4 TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW.
* TIMING…RAIN CHANGES TO FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET FROM NORTH TO SOUTH THIS EVENING THEN BECOMES HEAVY SNOW LATE TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY.
* TEMPERATURES…FALLING INTO THE LOWER 30S THIS EVENING…THEN DROPPING INTO THE LOWER 20S OVERNIGHT AND MONDAY.
* WINDS…NORTH 10 TO 15 MPH. GUSTS TO 25 MPH LATE TONIGHT AND MONDAY.
* IMPACTS…HAZARDOUS TRAVEL DUE TO ICE AND SNOW THROUGH MONDAY. BOTH THE MONDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON RUSH HOURS WILL BE AFFECTED. POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE WITH THE COMBINATION OF ICE AND HEAVY SNOW.
That’s enough for Montgomery County to declare a Snow Emergency starting at midnight.
Parking at county garages on Monday will be free all day Monday:
Snow Emergency Declared Beginning at Midnight
A Snow Emergency for Montgomery County has been declared beginning at midnight tonight. With freezing rain and heavy snow expected through tomorrow, County officials urge residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
A Snow Emergency Declaration means that parking is prohibited along routes signed and marked as a “Snow Emergency Route.” Vehicles parked on emergency routes will be ticketed and towed. During a Snow Emergency, vehicles on the road must have all-weather or snow tires or chains. Residents are asked to move vehicles off-street if at all possible so snowplows can remove snow more efficiently. Taxicabs operating in Montgomery County during declared snow emergencies are allowed to charge $2.50 extra per trip.
Free Parking in County-Owned Lots and Garages
All County parking lots and garages will offer free parking beginning at midnight tonight through Monday.
311 Call Center to Open at 10 p.m. and Remain Open All Night
Due to the worsening weather forecast, the Montgomery County 311 Call Center will open at 10 p.m. tonight and remain open all night and through the day Monday. Residents can report issues associated with the storm, such as downed trees, by calling 311 or 240-777-0311, or visiting the website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/311.The TTY number is 301-251-4850.
