Baltimore Mayor’s Office: Update on Winter Storm Management
NWS Moves to Winter Storm Warning, Snow Teams Continue To Pre-Treat Roads & Prepare Plows, Code Blue Declaration Issued
BALTIMORE, MD (Sunday, January 5, 2025) – Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott issued the following update regarding preparations being made to confront the impending winter storm that is forecasted to cause significant snow accumulation, dangerous road conditions, and freezing temperatures across Baltimore.
The Baltimore City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will activate at 9:00 p.m. ahead of snowfall expected to begin later Sunday night.
For updated weather forecasts and traffic conditions, residents should tune into local news stations, check social media resources and visit the city’s snow page at snow.baltimore city.gov.
Forecast Update
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Storm Warning, beginning at 10:00 p.m and lasting until Tuesday, January 7 at 1:00 a.m. Total snow and sleet accumulation could be as high as 12 inches in some places.
These conditions will continue to cause snowy and icy conditions on roadways across the city, but Baltimore City Department of Transportation crews are prepared to plow and have been pre-treating roads, particularly on-ramps, bridges, and main thoroughfares. They will continue to treat and plow roads, as needed, throughout the day and night.
Icy conditions and streets that need to be re-treated can be called-in to 3-1-1 or submitted to the 3-1-1 app.
Ongoing Road Treatment & Crew Deployment
Department of Transportation snow crews and contractors are fully activated in preparation for this storm. Crews are currently pre-treating roads and are poised to begin plow operations when necessary. Over the weekend, they conducted pre-treatment of primary roadways, city gateways, bridges and overpasses and will continue to treat as needed.
Main streets, school zones, and emergency routes to hospitals are always the first areas to be plowed and salted. Once those priority routes are handled, primary and secondary zones will receive treatment.
Full deployment of the crews continues, with over 250 DOT snow vehicles/equipment currently deployed and over 400 additional contractor vehicles were activated beginning at 5:00 p.m. for the duration of the event.
Closures & Service Delays
Baltimore City Government will be closed on Monday, January 6, 2025.
Essential employees, and employees designated as emergency essential (for the current weather event), including those who work the afternoon and evening shift(s), must report to work and/or remain at work as scheduled, unless informed otherwise by their agency head, designee, or immediate supervisor. Additional information or questions should be addressed by the Office of Labor Commissioner or immediate supervisors.
Baltimore City Schools have also announced that schools will be closed on Monday, January 6. School essential employees should report on time. Non-essential district office employees will work remotely.
For more information about inclement weather-related closures, visit www.baltimorecityschools.org/page/inclement-weather.
Additionally, DPW will suspend Mechanical Street Sweeping operations until further notice.
The Harbor Connector will have a delayed start, opening for service at 12:30 PM tomorrow.
The Charm City Circulator will have a delayed start, with service beginning at 10:00 AM. Riders can check for service updates at charmcitycirc.com and through the Passio Go app.
Reminders for Residents
- Take the necessary precautions for yourselves and your families.
- Check on elderly or sick neighbors
- Stay home and off the roads, if possible. If travel is necessary, drive slow and take added precautions.
- Shovel and salt the areas outside of your homes and businesses.
- Do not park in emergency snow zones.
- Do not crowd the plow.
- Street sweeping is not in effect.
- Be careful with secondary heating sources like space heaters. Always use as directed and avoid placing them anywhere that may be a fire hazard.
- Ensure smoke alarms are in working order and establish a fire safety plan for your entire family.
- Stay tuned to the DOT social media for tips and tricks for the weather
Snow Emergency Routes
The Department of Transportation would like to advise motorists that Phase II of the Snow Emergency Plan may be implemented during this storm. When Phase II of the Snow Emergency Plan is in effect, all vehicles traveling on city roadways must be equipped with snow tires, all season radials, or chains. Parking is prohibited along designated Snow Emergency Routes.
In anticipation of the implementation of Phase II, the Department of Transportation is encouraging residents to move their cars from these designated routes as soon as possible.
Snow Emergency Routes are clearly marked with black and white signs and residents should follow all posted signage. Residents that park along these designated routes obstruct the movement of snow plows and hinder safe snow removal efforts. If Phase II is implemented, any vehicles that are parked along these designated roadways will be relocated by tow vehicles to ensure safe plow operations. Residents with questions concerning the location of their vehicles should call 311.
During a Phase II snow emergency, the Parking Authority of Baltimore City announced that residents in Federal Hill, Fells Point, Harbor East, Perkins Homes, and Little Italy are able to park their cars in their neighborhood City-owned parking facilities during the upcoming snow emergency. Parking is free in these garages effective from Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. until Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. (this time may be extended based on conditions and on monthly contract parker obligations), and is available on a 'first come, first served’ basis. Residents will be asked to provide proof of residency at the garages. Parking your cars in these garages will assist the City in its snow removal efforts. Do not park on the roof at these locations.
Participating garages include:
- Little Italy Parking Garage
400 S. Central Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
- West Street Garage
40 E. West Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
- Caroline Street Garage
805 S. Caroline Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21231
- Fleet & Eden Garage
501 S. Eden Street
Baltimore, MD 21205
Code Blue Declaration
The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) has officially announced a Code Blue Extreme Cold Declaration, effective Saturday, January 4 through Tuesday, January 7. Please take the necessary precautions, stay indoors whenever possible, and check on vulnerable neighbors and loved ones.
More information on Code Blue Declarations can be found here: https://health.baltimorecity.gov/emergency-preparedness-response/code-blue
The Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services (MOHS) has activated emergency shelters for residents who need assistance, and has now been extended. Winter Shelter is now in effect until Tuesday, January 7.
If you are in need of shelter, please call the Baltimore City Shelter Hotline (443) 984-9540. This hotline operates from 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. on winter shelter days. For after hours needs after 9:00 p.m. people should contact (443) 695-7378.
For additional Winter Shelter info, visit: https://homeless.baltimorecity.gov/winter-shelter
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