MD Snow Forecast Announced For Winter 2023

Patch reporter Kristin Danley-Greiner wrote this story.

MARYLAND — An El Niño climate pattern will mean Marylanders will have a wetter winter, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center said in an updated U.S. Winter Outlook released Thursday. But will that mean more snow?

AccuWeather and other long-range weather prediction services call for a snowier and colder winter ahead with the arrival of El Niño, a climate cycle that results in the unusual warming of equatorial Pacific Ocean waters.

The United States hasn’t had an El Niño winter in four years. Maryland is forecast to have around a 33 to 40 percent chance of wetter-than-average conditions, with no drought concerns. But this new enhanced wet weather forecast does not equate to higher snow totals, since the average temperature is also expected to be higher than normal, NOAA forecasters said.

AccuWeather and other long-range weather prediction services call for a snowier and colder winter ahead with the arrival of El Niño, a climate cycle that results in the unusual warming of equatorial Pacific Ocean waters.

Related: El Niño Winter Could Make It Warmer, Wetter In Maryland

According to AccuWeather's 2023-24 winter outlook, there could be multiple nor'easters from Boston to Philadelphia that could also affect Maryland in January and February, dumping inches of snow compared to the miniscule amounts that the majority of Maryland saw over the relatively weak 2022-23 winter.

The only measurable snow recorded last season was .2 inches on Feb. 1 at Baltimore Washington International Airport. The yearly average snowfall amount for BWI is 19.3 inches.

"The window for snow-producing nor'easters will open in late January through February which could dish out hefty snowfall amounts to Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and beyond," AccuWeather predicted.

A third of the country, including parts of the southern and central U.S., Hawaii and Puerto Rico, is experiencing drought conditions, according to Tuesday’s updated U.S. Drought Monitor. Maryland currently has a mix of precipitation levels, with parts of Frederick and Washington counties under drought conditions, and abnormally dry conditions across half of the remaining counties.

Other long-range outlooks suggest cold, snowy weather this winter.

The Farmers’ Almanac suggests in its extended 2023-24 winter forecast that “the BRRR is back,” but also that snow shovels will see plenty of action. In Maryland, the Farmer's Almanac is predicting "frosty, flaky and slushy" conditions this winter.

"For those of you living along the I-95 corridor from Washington to Boston, who saw a lack of wintry precipitation last winter, you should experience quite the opposite, with lots of rain/sleet and snowstorms to contend with," said the Farmers' Almanac.

The competing Old Farmer’s Almanac is predicting plenty of snow and cold in its 2024 winter forecast. That outlook suggests the winter in Maryland will be cold and snowy.

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