Maryland, 1998

Ice Storm in Maryland, December 23 to 25, 1998

December 23 to 25, 1998 · NWS AKQ · 5 events in 5 counties and zones

A major ice storm affected the Lower Maryland Eastern Shore from Wednesday, December 23rd into Friday, December 25th. 75/ in many locations.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 5 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$5.0 million
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
5

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS AKQ wrote it up.

A major ice storm affected the Lower Maryland Eastern Shore from Wednesday, December 23rd into Friday, December 25th. A prolonged period of freezing rain and sleet resulted in ice accumulations of one quarter inch /0.25/ to three quarters inch /0.75/ in many locations. The heavy ice accumulations on trees and power lines caused numerous power outages across the region. Many accidents occurred due to slippery road conditions, especially bridges and overpasses. Many secondary roads were impassable due to fallen tree limbs and in a few cases, whole trees.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

5 ice storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Ice Storm, Dorchester

When
December 23, 2:00 PM EST to December 25, 5:00 AM EST
Where
Dorchester forecast zone
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
38.423, -76.083 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice Storm, Inland Worcester / Except X E Worcester

When
December 23, 2:00 PM EST to December 25, 5:00 AM EST
Where
Inland Worcester / Except X E Worcester forecast zone
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
38.217, -75.297 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice Storm, Somerset

When
December 23, 2:00 PM EST to December 25, 5:00 AM EST
Where
Somerset forecast zone
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
38.080, -75.853 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice Storm, Maryland Beaches / X E Worcester

When
December 23, 2:00 PM EST to December 25, 5:00 AM EST
Where
Maryland Beaches / X E Worcester forecast zone
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
38.217, -75.297 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ice Storm, Wicomico

When
December 23, 2:00 PM EST to December 25, 5:00 AM EST
Where
Wicomico forecast zone
Property damage
$5.0 million
Reported by
EMERGENCY MANAGER
Coordinates
38.369, -75.631 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Ice Storm
Freezing rain accumulating a quarter inch or more of ice, or less where it caused significant damage.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Maryland in 1998Every state in 1998This day in weather historyWarnings in Maryland, December 1998

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5674413, 5674414, 5674415, 5674416, 5674417.