(Baltimore, December 26, 2025) – A wintry mix of freezing rain adn sleet is expected to create slippery travel conditions across parts of Maryland on Friday, prompting the WJZ First Alert Weather Team to declare a First Alert Weather Day.
A hazardous weather pattern will bring a mix of freezing rain and sleet to central and northern Maryland Friday, with an Ice Storm Warning in effect for western Garrett County.
- A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for Carroll, Harford, Howard, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Kent, and Cecil counties, and also most of western Maryland.
- An Ice Storm Warning is in effect for western Garrett County, where up to a half-inch of ice accumulation is possible.
- Travel conditions will deteriorate this afternoon, particularly along and north of I-70, including Baltimore City.
- Notable temperature swings are expected early next week,with possible First Alert Weather Days declared for Monday and Tuesday.
Friday morning will be quiet across central and eastern Maryland, with excellent travel conditions, according to the WJZ first Alert Weather Team.However, a wintry mix of light sleet and freezing rain will develop across central and northern Maryland after lunchtime, leading to slippery conditions.
Travel Impacts and Warnings
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A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for Carroll, Harford, Howard, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Kent, and Cecil counties, along with most of western Maryland. An Ice storm Warning is in effect for western Garrett county, where up to a half-inch of sleet and freezing rain accumulation is possible.
Sleet and freezing rain will change to chilly rain in Baltimore City and nearby areas by late afternoon. While slippery travel is possible for a few hours, no further icing is expected after the change to rain. Further north, areas well north of I-70 are likely to experiance a longer period of sleet and freezing rain this afternoon into this evening, creating possibly treacherous travel conditions, especially on untreated and elevated surfaces.
Motorists are advised to exercise caution on bridges, overpasses, on and off ramps, driveways, and sidewalks. The greatest risk of ice accumulation is across northern areas of Carroll, Baltimore, Harford, and Cecil counties.
Weekend Forecast and Temperature Swings
The wintry mix will end early Saturday morning.The weekend forecast calls for a gloomy Saturday with gray and chilly conditions. Sunday will be overcast with showers developing in the afternoon.
Early Next Week: Dramatic Temperature Changes
The WJZ First Alert Weather Team has tagged Monday and Tuesday as possible First Alert Weather Days due to significant temperature swings. Monday morning will begin breezy and unseasonably mild, with temperatures near 60° Fahrenheit. Showers are expected in the morning and midday.However, by Monday afternoon, gusty winds will develop and temperatures will plummet into the upper 30s, with gusts potentially reaching 25 to 35 mph.
Bitterly cold temperatures and strong winds are expected Monday night into tuesday,with feels-like temperatures dropping into the single digits and teens. Winds on Tuesday may gust over 40 mph in some locations.
According to Steven Sosna, a meteorologist with WJZ, the greatest concern is slick travel conditions across central and northern Maryland this afternoon and evening, though power outages are not currently expected.
Freezing rain forms when rain falls through a shallow layer of freezing air. It coats surfaces with a glaze of ice, creating hazardous conditions.