Baltimore Braces For Biggest Snowstorm In A Decade

As Baltimore approaches the last weekend of January 2026, the city finds itself bracing for what could be its most significant snow event in a decade. Meteorologists across the region are sounding the alarm, urging residents to prepare for frigid temperatures and potentially heavy snowfall that could disrupt daily life and rekindle memories of past winter storms.

On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, a flurry of weather alerts began to circulate. Chief Meteorologist Gerard Jebaily warned that frigid temperatures would grip the area starting Saturday, January 24, with accumulating snow expected to begin late Saturday and intensify into Sunday, January 25. According to Jebaily, "the frigid cold will return this weekend starting Saturday lasting into next week. A strong winter storm is expected to develop and impact much of the southern and eastern United States." His forecast, echoed by other local meteorologists, left little doubt that Maryland, and especially Baltimore, was in the crosshairs.

While Wednesday morning was expected to start off bitterly cold, a brief thaw was predicted, with temperatures recovering into the upper 30s and eventually reaching the upper 40s on Thursday, January 22. But as the week drew to a close, the mercury was set to plunge once again. The National Weather Service’s Baltimore/Washington office, represented by meteorologist Anna Stuck, cautioned that an Arctic front would arrive Tuesday night, bringing with it cold temperatures and gusty winds. Tuesday’s high was forecast at a chilly 27°F, with a low of just 17°F, and Baltimore City responded by issuing a "Code Blue" alert for extreme cold, opening warming centers and overnight shelters for those in need.

Stuck painted a sobering picture for the days to come: "The parameters are there for an impactful snow event." She explained that temperatures would hover in the upper 30s and low 40s on Wednesday, briefly warming into the high 40s to low 50s on Thursday before dropping sharply. By Friday, January 23, a second, expansive storm system was expected to roll in from the southern Rockies, bringing heavy snow and freezing rain to much of the southern and eastern United States, including Maryland. Friday’s high was forecast near 35°F, but the low would tumble to around 11°F. The weekend itself was predicted to be even colder, with highs in the upper teens to low 20s and wind chills making it feel like the single digits—a bone-chilling prospect for Baltimoreans.

For a city that has seen little snow this winter, the looming storm feels especially dramatic. The last significant snow event in Maryland occurred in January 2025, when parts of the state saw up to a foot of snow and Baltimore itself received around 6 inches. That storm wreaked havoc on transportation, disrupting train and bus services and causing numerous flight cancellations at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Yet, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration noted, this winter was initially predicted to be warmer than usual for much of the country, including Maryland. The prospect of a major snowstorm now seems to defy those early forecasts.

Amid the uncertainty, the WBAL-TV 11 Weather team designated Sunday, January 25, as a "Weather Alert Day" for impending snow. The timing is poignant: this week marks the 10-year anniversary of Baltimore’s largest snow event on record—the Blizzard of January 2016, which dumped an astonishing 29.2 inches of snow at BWI-Marshall Airport and over 30 inches north of the city. Since then, Baltimore hasn’t seen a storm produce more than 6 inches of snow at the airport. Could this weekend finally break the decade-long dry spell?

While the exact details of the storm’s track and intensity remain uncertain, meteorologists are increasingly confident that snow will fall—and perhaps in significant amounts. Chief Meteorologist Tom Tasselmyer, referencing the European model, estimated as of Tuesday that there was an "80% chance of 3 inches or more of snow accumulation, a 65% chance of 6 inches or more, and a 20% chance of 12 inches or more." These probabilities have captured the attention of residents and city officials alike, prompting preparations for possible travel delays, school and business closures, and disruptions to public transit.

Yet, as meteorologist Ava Marie cautioned, "much could change this many days out, as much of the energy that will drive this weather pattern is still thousands of miles away over the Pacific Ocean." The final outcome will depend on the precise track of the low-pressure system. If it veers too far south, Maryland could receive less snow; if it tracks too far north, warmer air could bring a wintry mix of ice or rain instead of the fluffy white stuff. For now, most models suggest a favorable track for heavy snow in Maryland, but forecasters are urging the public to stay tuned for updates as new data becomes available.

One thing that all meteorologists agree on is the cold. After a couple of days of relatively "warmer" winter temperatures, the weekend is expected to bring a sharp and lasting chill. Highs will be stuck in the 20s, while lows could dip into the low teens or even single digits in some areas. The snow, if it comes as predicted, will be "very fluffy and powdery," a hallmark of low-temperature storms. This combination of cold and snow could make for hazardous driving conditions and increased demand on home heating systems.

Residents are being advised to prepare now. The city’s "Code Blue" alert remains in effect through Wednesday morning, and officials are encouraging everyone to review snow safety tips, stock up on essentials, and plan for possible power outages or transportation delays. The WBAL-TV 11 Weather team is recommending that people rely on trusted local forecasts rather than phone weather apps, which often base their predictions on a single model. As they point out, "there are dozens of models," and only meteorologists familiar with Baltimore’s unique weather patterns can provide the most accurate and actionable advice.

For Baltimore, the anticipation is palpable. Some see the impending storm as a test of the city’s preparedness after a relatively quiet winter; others recall the chaos and camaraderie that major snow events bring. As the weekend approaches, all eyes will be on the skies—and the thermometers—as Baltimore waits to see if history will repeat itself, or if this storm will simply be another near miss in a winter full of surprises.

With forecasts calling for a high chance of accumulating snow and frigid cold lasting well into next week, one thing is clear: Baltimore is in for a wintry weekend that could be remembered for years to come.