Snow falls in Maryland; Bitter cold moves in

Snowfall accumulates anywhere between 4-11 inches

 BALTIMORE —Several inches of snow fell across Maryland as another winter storm moved through the state Tuesday, and while the precipitation is over, bitter cold has arrived to take its place.

The winter storm warning that was in effect for the entire state Tuesday has ended, but a wind chill advisory remains throughout the state until about noon Wednesday. 

The snow began to move into the Baltimore region around 8 a.m. Tuesday and kept falling at a steady pace throughout the day.

As it ended late Tuesday night, it was followed by bitterly-cold, below-normal temperatures. Wednesday's high temperature isn't expected to get past the teens, and with the wind chill, it could feel subzero again, like it did during the polar vortex.

By the time the snow was over, BWI reported 7 inches on the ground, Phoenix reported 11 inches, Dundalk got 7.7, Fells Point in Baltimore recorded 8 inches, nearly 11 inches were reported in Westminster, 9.6 inches were reported in Bel Air, 8 inches were in Columbia and 6 inches were reported in Washington, D.C.

11 Insta-Weather PLUS Chief Meteorologist Tom Tasselmyer said the snowfall record for Tuesday was 2 inches at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

While the snow blanketed the state, it didn't cause too many power outages. By 8 a.m. Wednesday, Baltimore Gas and Electric was only reporting about 1,700 outages, most of which were in Carroll County. 

Slippery, snow-covered roads were already being reported around the region by noon Tuesday. 11 Insta-Weather PLUS meteorologist Ava Marie said to expect ice after the snow has stopped. 

Anne Arundel County opened four police district stations Tuesday morning for residents who need a warm place to stay. The county said residents using the facilities should take their own sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, medication, food and water.

Highway crews salting roads, plowing streets

State Highway Administration spokeswoman Kelly Boulware said the light holiday traffic Monday allowed salt trucks to efficiently cover typical trouble spots ahead of the storm.

"That was a great benefit. Schools being closed and having offices closed as well, that allowed our crews to get out there and pretreat roads effectively," she said.

Meanwhile, Baltimore City called in extra crews early to begin the same process. Baltimore Department of Transportation officials said bridges, ramps and main thoroughfares are the main priorities. Secondary streets will come later.

"We do encourage residents to call 311 to report icy conditions, but please be patient with us. We are going to be working very hard," DOT spokeswoman Adrienne Barnes said. 

Code Blue in Baltimore

The Baltimore City Health Department extended a Code Blue to take effect Tuesday through Saturday as forecast temperatures will be in single digits. Saturday marks the 15th Code Blue day so far this winter.

Emergency shelters will keep extended hours and emergency workers will conduct outreach for vulnerable residents.

There have been seven cold-related deaths so far this winter, according to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Two of those deaths, a male between 45 and 64 years old, and a woman older than age 65 have occurred in Baltimore City.