Citizens urged to drive with caution as slippery conditions could develop; Freezing temps overnight will cause icy conditions

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation Director Michelle Pourciau would like to encourage citizens to plan ahead for inclement weather expected today in the Baltimore region.  A mixture of rain and snow is forecast for this afternoon/evening, which will affect driving conditions throughout the day.  After the storm, temperatures are expected to fall which could cause roadways to freeze and create hazardous driving conditions for the Wednesday morning commute.

The Baltimore City Snow Team is prepared for the winter precipitation and will closely monitor weather and roadway conditions.  Crews will activate at 12:00 p.m. today, Tuesday, January 29, 2019 and work throughout the night to treat city streets and address icy conditions. 

“With temperatures dropping below freezing this evening, we encourage citizens who do not have to drive to stay off the roadways,” said Director Michelle Pourciau.  “Icy conditions will develop on untreated surfaces and infrequently traveled roadways, making travel very dangerous for commuters.”

Citizens are encouraged to plan ahead and be prepared for the inclement weather today and the Wednesday morning commute.  Roadways may become slick, especially on bridges, ramps and overpasses.  Surfaces that appear to be wet could actually be covered in ice, especially during the early hours on Wednesday morning.  Motorists are strongly advised to drive with extreme caution by allowing additional travel time, driving at reduced speeds and increasing following distance for everyone’s safety.  Citizens are also encouraged to start their afternoon commutes early today if possible, and delay their morning commute on Wednesday to avoid traveling in challenging conditions.

For updated weather forecasts and traffic conditions, citizens should tune into local media stations.  Citizens can also find updated information at snow.baltimorecity.gov and by following DOT on Twitter @BmorecityDOT and Facebook at Baltimore City Department of Transportation.

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