Freezing Rain Advisories and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect around the listening area; the ice is causing power outages and schedule changes for schools, governments, businesses, and public transit systems. Our partial list of what's happening follows...
A Freezing Rain Advisory is in effect for Southern Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, and Prince George's County. The rest of Central Maryland is under a Winter Weather Advisory. Freezing rain is possible throughout the morning, possibly lingering into the afternoon. Up to a third of ice accumulation is possible in some places.
The freezing rain is leaving ice on trees and power lines, and bringing some of them down. BGE is reporting that tens of thousands of its customers are in the dark. You can contact BGE about an outage by calling 877-778-2222. The Maryland Emergency Management Agency maps power outages here.
The icy roads have prompted lots of schedule changes:
Baltimore City schools are opening two hours late. There’s also a two-hour delay for schools in Anne Arundel county.
A 90-minute delay is in effect for schools in Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot counties.
Schools are closed in Baltimore County. Schools are also closed in Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Washington counties.
DC offices of the federal government are open, but employees have the option for unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework. A similar situation for Social Security Administration employees in the Baltimore area; SSA HQ and offices are open, but liberal leave has been authorized.
A liberal leave policy is in effect until noon for state employees.
Baltimore County government offices will open at 10:30.
Carroll County government offices will open at 10am.
Frederick County government offices open at 10, and a liberal leave policy is in effect.
Harford County government offices are closed.
Howard County government workers are on liberal leave.
The Maryland Transit Administration says the ice has led to major service disruptions on the Light Rail this morning. Bus service is in place between Falls Road and Hunt Valley. There are also significant delays for MARC trains.
And there are many other schedule changes in effect for private schools, colleges, universities, and other local governments; be sure to call ahead before you brave the icy roads.
