A low pressure system organized over the southeastern United States on the morning of March 3rd and tracked northeastward to a position near coastal North Carolina by that evening. The low pressure then intensified overnight and moved to a position southeast of Cape Cod by the morning of March 4th.
Every event with a place to put it; 8 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS LWX wrote it up.
A low pressure system organized over the southeastern United States on the morning of March 3rd and tracked northeastward to a position near coastal North Carolina by that evening. The low pressure then intensified overnight and moved to a position southeast of Cape Cod by the morning of March 4th. This system brought widespread precipitation to the state of Maryland, with 3 to 6 inches of snow falling across the western portions of the state, and very little to no snow falling along and southeast of Interstate 95 where the majority of the precipitation was rain.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Baltimore/Washington wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 3, 10:25 AM EST, 2 hours 35 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
1025 AM EST Sun Mar 3 2019
.SYNOPSIS...
Low pressure will organize over the southeastern states through
today and move across the Carolinas this evening before exiting
offshore late tonight. An Arctic front will then cross the area
Tuesday night and high pressure will build over the area for
the second half of the week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Precipitation has started across the region this morning with
snow being reported across nrn MD and rain in Madison County and
locations to the south. Precip will continue to overspread the
region through early and mid afternoon with rain and/or sleet
south of I-66 and U.S. 50 and snow north of I-70 and eastern WV.
Nothing has really changed in the past 12-24 hrs in terms of sfc
and 850 mb low tracks. There could be a relative minima in
precip across far western MD and ern WV west of I-81 and our
snow totals are probably on the high side, probably end up with
3-5 inches there. Otherwise, the fcst remains on track other
than a quicker exit tonight. Most precip should have exited the
area around 06Z.
Will continue all Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather
Advisories as is. However it should be noted that a tight
gradient is expected in snowfall accumulations, and any subtle
shifts could have significant impacts. Please see
weather.gov/lwx/winter for snowfall forecast.
&&
.SHORT TERM /MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT/...
Dry weather expected on Monday with westerly flow cold air
advection. Highs will range in the 30s to around 40F. Ridging
will move overhead Monday night and a cold night is expected
with lows in the teens/20s.
An arctic front will approach the region Tuesday, and cross the
area Tuesday night. Some upslope snow showers are possible
along/near the Allegheny Front, but most locations will remain
dry. Highs Tuesday in the 30s to around 40F again, with lows
Tuesday night in the teens.
&&
.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
High pressure system centered over the Midwest will remain in
control Wednesday as it moves eastward and settles offshore on
Thursday. Upper level trough over the eastern CONUS will be
shifting east as pulses of shortwave energy move across our
region. These may enhance upslope snow showers at time between
Wednesday and Thursday. Dry conditions are expected for the rest
of the area.
By Friday a frontal boundary settles south of our area. Guidance
brings a wave on low pressure tracking through this boundary but the
amount of precipitation is questionable. The GFS is bullish with
more QPF than the Euro between Friday and into part of Saturday.
Then, a strong low pressure system over the Midwest will track into
the Great Lakes lifting the boundary to our south as a warm front on
Sunday. For now, Friday potential event may still have enough cold
air for some snow, for Sunday it seems like a rain event. Guidance
is in disagreement on their solutions on timing and track of these
potential systems, for now will continue to monitor.
&&
.AVIATION /15Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
VFR conditions early this morning will deteriorate by the
afternoon and evening as low stratus and widespread rain/snow
overspread the region. IFR/LIFR will develop.
Conditions will then improve late tonight with VFR returning by
Monday and continuing through at least Tuesday.
VFR conditions expected Wednesday into Thursday with high pressure
in control. Friday may have sub-VFR conditions with a potential low
pressure system affecting us.
&&
.MARINE...
Sub-SCA conditions expected today, but a Small Craft Advisory
goes into effect tonight and continues through Monday. Winds
diminish Monday night with weak high pressure, but may increase
again Tuesday ahead of a cold front. Stronger winds likely
Tuesday night with frontal passage.
Possible SCA on Wednesday and Thursday with strong westerly
winds
&&
.LWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
DC...None.
MD...Winter Storm Warning until 2 AM EST Monday for MDZ501-502.
Winter Storm Warning until 4 AM EST Monday for MDZ003>005-503-
505.
Winter Weather Advisory until 4 AM EST Monday for MDZ504-506.
Winter Storm Warning from 2 PM this afternoon to 4 AM EST
Monday for MDZ006-507-508.
Winter Weather Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 4 AM EST
Monday for MDZ011.
VA...Winter Weather Advisory until midnight EST tonight for VAZ025-
026-508.
Winter Storm Warning until 2 AM EST Monday for VAZ027-028-030-
031.
Winter Storm Warning until 4 AM EST Monday for VAZ505.
Winter Weather Advisory until 4 AM EST Monday for VAZ506.
Winter Weather Advisory until 2 AM EST Monday for VAZ029-040-
501-507.
Winter Weather Advisory until 9 PM EST this evening for VAZ503-
504.
WV...Winter Weather Advisory until midnight EST tonight for WVZ506.
Winter Storm Warning until 2 AM EST Monday for WVZ050-051-055-
502>504.
Winter Storm Warning until 4 AM EST Monday for WVZ052-053.
Winter Storm Warning until midnight EST tonight for WVZ501-505.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 8 PM this evening to 6 PM EST Monday
for ANZ531>534-537-539>541-543.
Small Craft Advisory from 1 AM to 6 PM EST Monday for ANZ530-
535-536-538-542.
&&
SYNOPSIS...LFR
NEAR TERM...LFR
SHORT TERM...LFR
LONG TERM...IMR
AVIATION...IMR/LFR
MARINE...IMR/LFRHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC 509 AM EST Sun Mar 3 2019 ANZ530>543-DCZ001-MDZ011-013-014-016>018-508-VAZ052>057-041000- Chesapeake Bay north of Pooles Island MD- Chesapeake Bay from Pooles Island to Sandy Point MD- Chesapeake Bay from Sandy Point to North Beach MD- Chesapeake Bay from North Beach to Drum Point MD- Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point MD to Smith Point VA- Tidal Potomac from Key Bridge to Indian Head MD- Tidal Potomac from Indian Head to Cobb Island MD- Tidal Potomac from Cobb Island MD to Smith Point VA- Patapsco River including Baltimore Harbor- Chester River to Queenstown MD-Eastern Bay- Choptank River to Cambridge MD and the Little Choptank River- Patuxent River to Broomes Island MD- Tangier Sound and the inland waters surrounding Bloodsworth Island-District of Columbia-Southern Baltimore-Prince Georges- Anne Arundel-Charles-St. Marys-Calvert-Southeast Harford- Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park-Fairfax- Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria-Stafford-Spotsylvania- King George- 509 AM EST Sun Mar 3 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, and adjacent counties in central Maryland and northern Virginia as well as the District of Columbia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for southeast Harford County and a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for southern Baltimore County from this afternoon into tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are asked to report significant weather via standard operating procedures. MDZ003>006-501>507-VAZ025>031-036>040-050-051-501>508-WVZ050>053- 055-501>506-041000- Washington-Frederick MD-Carroll-Northern Baltimore- Extreme Western Allegany-Central and Eastern Allegany- Northwest Montgomery-Central and Southeast Montgomery- Northwest Howard-Central and Southeast Howard-Northwest Harford- Augusta-Rockingham-Shenandoah-Frederick VA-Page-Warren-Clarke- Nelson-Albemarle-Greene-Madison-Rappahannock-Orange-Culpeper- Northern Fauquier-Southern Fauquier-Western Highland- Eastern Highland-Western Loudoun-Eastern Loudoun- Northern Virginia Blue Ridge-Central Virginia Blue Ridge- Hampshire-Morgan-Berkeley-Jefferson-Hardy-Western Grant- Eastern Grant-Western Mineral-Eastern Mineral-Western Pendleton- Eastern Pendleton- 509 AM EST Sun Mar 3 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for eastern West Virginia, northern and central Virginia, and central and western Maryland with the exception of Garrett County. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Winter weather headlines are in effect northwest of the Interstate 95 corridor today and tonight. The most significant wintry precipitation is expected over the Allegheny Highlands, the eastern West Virginia Panhandle, northwestern Virginia and northern Maryland. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are asked to report significant weather via standard operating procedures.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
740 AM EST SUN MAR 03 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0600 AM SNOW 1 SW MILL GAP 38.31N 79.72W
03/03/2019 M0.1 INCH HIGHLAND VA CO-OP OBSERVER
24-HOUR SNOWFALL.
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX1903499
DHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
831 AM EST SUN MAR 03 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0800 AM SNOW E BURLINGTON 39.34N 78.92W
03/03/2019 M0.1 INCH MINERAL WV TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX1903500
DHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
913 AM EST SUN MAR 03 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0900 AM SNOW 1 ESE HONEYVILLE 38.57N 78.54W
03/03/2019 M0.3 INCH PAGE VA TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX1903501
DHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
928 AM EST SUN MAR 03 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0800 AM SNOW 1 SW MILL GAP 38.31N 79.72W
03/03/2019 M0.1 INCH HIGHLAND VA CO-OP OBSERVER
24-HOUR SNOWFALL.
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX1903502
DHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
937 AM EST SUN MAR 03 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM SNOW FROSTBURG 39.66N 78.94W
03/03/2019 M0.2 INCH ALLEGANY MD CO-OP OBSERVER
24-HOUR SNOWFALL.
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX1903503
DHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
1116 AM EST SUN MAR 03 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1030 AM SNOW 1 ESE HONEYVILLE 38.57N 78.54W
03/03/2019 M0.5 INCH PAGE VA TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
EVENT NUMBER LWX1903504
DHThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
4 winter storm, 4 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Snowfall accumulations of 5 to 6 inches of snow were observed, with 6.0 inches measured near Frostburg.
Snowfall accumulations of 5 to 6 inches of snow were observed, with 5.5 inches measured near Cumberland.
Snowfall accumulations of 2 to 6 inches of snow were observed, with 6.0 inches measured near Long Meadow.
A very wide range of snowfall accumulations were observed across Frederick County, with in excess of 6 inches being observed in the northern portion of the county, to as little as a half inch in the far southern portion of the county. The local maximum was 7.3 inches measured near Sabillasville.
A wide range of snowfall accumulations were observed across Carroll County, with as much as 5 inches being observed in the northern portion of the county, to as little as one inch in the far southern portion of the county. The local maximum was 4.9 inches measured near Millers.
Snowfall accumulations of 2 to 5 inches were observed across northern Baltimore County, with 5.0 inches measured near Lineboro.
Snowfall accumulations of 2 to 5 inches were observed across northwest Harford County, with 5.2 inches measured near Norrisville.
Snowfall accumulations of 0.5 to 1.5 inches were observed.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Maryland in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Maryland, March 2019
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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 811253, 811254, 811255, 811256, 811257, 811258, 811259, 811274.