Harford County Declares Snow Emergency

With snow accumulating on surfaces around Harford County, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the area Thursday night.

A winter storm warning means that severe winter weather conditions are occurring, according to the weather service.

Snow started falling in Harford County between 3 and 4 p.m. Thursday, and by Friday morning, four to six inches of snow could accumulate, according to the forecast.

At 7 p.m. Thursday, Harford County declared a snow emergency, restricting people from parking their vehicles on roads designated as snow routes. Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett and Washington counties were also in states of snow emergency, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation.

The Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company advised that roads had become hazardous around 7 p.m. and advised people not to drive if they didn't have to.

While travel was a concern—and Harford County plus the State Highway crews were out working to keep roads safe—it was the temperatures that had Harford County Emergency Manager Rick Ayers worried.

"...the real concern at this time is the extreme cold air and wind gusts up to 50 mph," Ayers said in a statement Thursday night.

Temperatures in Harford County were forecast to plunge below freezing overnight and be accompanied by winds upwards of 40 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.

"During the overnight hours the temperatures will continue to drop and during the day on Friday the temperatures will be in the teens—however, with the projected wind chill, it will feel like 0 to minus 5 degrees," Ayers said.

"This is a dangerous situation, and those exposed to the weather should take extra precautions," Ayers said. "If you have to drive use extreme caution, as we expect the blowing snow to cause icy conditions on the county roads."