Are you looking forward to a bit of snow this season? Whether you enjoy the white stuff or not, there's no denying that a blizzard is a hassle. Let's just hope that any blizzards we get this year are far calmer than the infamous snowstorm of 1996. It hit Maryland especially hard and if you lived through it, you'll never forget it.
Most Marylanders will never forget the massive blizzard that hit the northeast in January 1996.
Snow stacked up fast, many inches per hour. Highways were closed off and hundreds of Maryland residents were left stranded. And you know things are bad when the metro shuts down.
If you were a child during the 1996 blizzard, you probably remember this event fondly, due to having many days off from school. Adults on the other hand, remember things differently.
The Predictions Are in for Maryland’s Upcoming Damp and Cold Winter
The Farmers' Almanac 2024 winter in Maryland predicts a milder winter in Maryland, and a “wet, winter whirlwind” for the majority of the United States. Bundle up!
Our weather in Maryland is erratic at the best of times, and truly so once the winter months roll around. If you’ve lived here long enough, you’re sure to remember a day in February when we were bursting out the sunscreen, or the hailstorm we wandered through in mid-April while enjoying the National Cherry Blossom Festival. I must say, Marylanders are always ready no matter what nature has planned for us, and this year is no different. The Farmers’ Almanac 2024 winter in Maryland predicts a milder winter for us, and a “wet, winter whirlwind” for the majority of the United States. Though the winter in Maryland will be milder and less eventful than last year, look on the bright side, the Old Line State will see some snowfall and bursts of cold in late December and late February. Bundle up folks, the 2024-2025 winter weather predictions in Maryland might just keep us guessing all season long.
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After last year’s mild winter, this year seems to be continuing the same trend. Marylanders can expect to see a burst of frigid temperatures in the latter portion of the frosty months. For those of us who don’t mind a winter wonderland, the slightly below-average snowfall will be a seasonal treat. As always with the winter weather, be sure to check your vehicles and keep emergency supplies on hand.
Winter in Maryland officially arrives around December 21, and with it calls for widespread wintery precipitation. Fortunately, with some snowfall predictions for late December, we might have a dreamy white Christmas. This would be a welcoming surprise, breaking the Maryland tradition of a chilly but snowless holiday.
January is expected to start off with some slushy rain and mixed snowfall, and then turn bitterly cold when a storm moves up from the Gulf. This cold weather is expected to last until the end of the month, so it’ll be the perfect time to head outdoors for any of the adventures our state promises!
As we move from January to February, we’re expected to experience some renewed threats of snowfall. Coastal storms should blow moderate-to-heavy snowfall inland for the first half of the month, but fade to rain by the end.
I have lived in Maryland too long to expect winter weather to disappear by March, and this year seems to be no exception. By mid-month, the weather is expected to turn frigid yet again, and scattered snows will take place throughout.
By mid-April, the weather won’t exactly be warm but the cherry blossoms will be blooming and all of us Marylanders will likely be outside anyway, enjoying the sights and sounds of spring and shrugging off the occasional hail.
What are your thoughts about the Farmers’ Almanac 2024 winter in Maryland? Let us know below! These predictions are approximately 80 percent accurate, so make sure you’re prepared for what’s to come.
If you’re anything like me, you’re already preparing for the activities and events that go along with winter weather in Maryland. If so, be sure to keep our Ultimate Winter Packing Guide fresh in mind!
We have officially entered into the dog days of this sweltering summer heat here in Maryland. Soon enough the wind will grow chilly and crisp, the sky will take on that special blue quality, and perhaps most importantly, the leaves and needles on the trees will start to bronze and fall, creating some of the most spectacular natural beauty we can hope to experience. This also means that it’s time for me to start obsessing over one of my favorite autumn traditions - the Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage map.
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For the past decade, this handy tool has been available to those of us who like to keep tabs on the county-by-county leaf changes, and the map is incredibly useful if you’re a nature nut who’s trying to plan an excursion to see the magic of autumn saturate the skyline. Today we’ve used it to map out some of the best places to visit if you’re hoping to enjoy this autumnal treat in the Old Line State, and what dates are currently predicted to give you the most bang for your buck.
1. Deep Creek Lake
Maryland’s westernmost county is usually the first to peak when it comes to the brilliant colors of the fall, making it a favorite among eager leaf peepers. Garret County is predicted to reach peak colors a full week before the rest of the state begins to follow suit, and what better way to take in the earliest foliage of the autumn than a stroll through the woods around Deep Creek Lake?
While Maryland has many incredible state parks to choose from, Catocin Mountain Park offers one of the best views of the fall foliage as you’re likely to get. You can enjoy the view on the lakeshore or venture up the Extended Loop Trail, which will bring you roughly 1,800 feet above the surrounding area for a grand panorama.
If you’d prefer to stick a little closer to town while you gaze at the trees with wide-eyed wonder, Frederick is a great option. The old town’s historic canal is a beautiful spot to amble about and take in all the sights and smells of the season.
With bountiful walking paths and multiple lakefronts to paddle along, Columbia is an excellent place to get some recharging outdoor time beneath the gold and red canopy of the trees. There are also tons of chic restaurants where outdoor dining is a must!
Southern Maryland is, of course, not left out of this foliage belt. Cedarville State Forest, just outside of Waldorf, is a remarkably serene place to visit for a swampy twist on the leaf-changing phenomenon. The milder climate makes it an ideal place if you’re the type who wants an escape from the autumn chill.
Moving across the Chesapeake to Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Berlin is a quaint beach town that peaks after the rest of the state’s leaves have begun to brown. If you’re looking for a colorful Halloween experience, look no further than here!
There is so much to take in when it comes to autumn beauty in Maryland. Check out our list of these ten day trip ideas if you’re priming the camera in anticipation!
Planning on doing some camping while you’re out and about, exploring the change in seasons? Check out Backcountry for deals on all the gear you’ll need!
