UPDATED: Several winter storms threaten snow, mix of snow and rain

UPDATE: Friday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Worcester County Emergency Management Director Billy Birch said parts of Virginia could face "the worst ice storm for portions of our region in 20 years." However, the current forecast for Northern Worcester County is less dire.

"A significant ice storm ... is expected to impact the region later tonight through early Sunday," he said. "Ice storm warnings are now in effect for much of Central and South Central Virginia."

Worcester County should see less of an impact, Birch said. 

"We are in a much better position for this upcoming storm event than Richmond," he said.  

Jeff Orrock, meteorologist in charge for the National Weather Service in Wakefield, Virginia, also predicted less severe weather in Ocean Pines. 

"The worst will be down in Central Virginia," he said. "For you all, [there is] just the potential for some light freezing rain in the morning before changing to rain. Cambridge could see a little more, but you all in the east should go to rain. Thinking you get a glaze to a tenth of an inch of ice."

A winter weather advisory is in effect locally, through Saturday at 1 p.m. 


UPDATE: Thursday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.

Worcester County Emergency Management Director Billy Birch said snow amounts for tonight "have increased slightly."

"In addition, winter storm watches have been issued for Friday night into Saturday due to the significant icing potential," he said. 

Threats include accumulating snow, sleet and freezing rain, according to Birch, with the greatest chance of snow accumulation tonight through Friday and the greatest threat of icing on Friday night through Saturday. 

"Significant travel disruptions and numerous power outages will be possible Friday night through Saturday if the current forecast remains on track," he said. 

From 2-3 inches of snow are expected tonight through Friday, with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice Friday through Saturday.


UPDATE: Thursday, Feb. 11 at 9:30 a.m.

Worcester County Emergency Management Director Billy Birch said winter storm watches have been converted to winter weather advisories. However, "Another system is forecast to impact the region Friday night into Saturday, with the potential for significant icing across the region."

Birch said threats still include accumulating snow, sleet and freezing rain, with the greatest chance of snow tonight through Friday.

"The greatest icing threat exists with the second system, Friday night, through Saturday," he said.
From 1-3 inches of snow are expected tonight through Friday, with upwards of 1/4 inch of ice Friday through Saturday.


UPDATE: Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 4 p.m.

Worcester County Emergency Management Director Billy Birch said the National Weather Service has lowered expected snow accumulation totals. 

"The main change they are addressing now is the potential for a possible icing event late Friday night into Saturday morning," he said. "The current possibility [is] 2-3 inches in the Pocomoke area and up to  1/2  inch in Ocean City. Again, this will be a long duration event from now into Saturday."

Birch said to expect a wintery mix starting later this evening. 

"We are currently in a winter weather advisory, switching to a winter weather watch Thursday night into Friday," he said. "Please continue to monitor this storm, since it is going to be comprised of at least two parts.  As we have experienced in the past, the snowfall amounts are subject to change due to the temperatures and boundary lines."


Read the original release below:


(Feb. 10, 2021) More snow is likely, and possibly a lot of it over the next several days, according to local experts.  

Starting on Wednesday at 1 p.m. and lasting until 1 p.m. on Friday, the area could see 3 to 4 inches of snow, according to Worcester County Emergency Management Director Billy Birch.  

As of Wednesday morning, Birch said a winter weather advisory has been issued for portions of the Maryland Eastern Shore, for the potential for around 1 inch of wet snow tonight. 

He said one storm would hit the county Wednesday into Thursday, followed by a second storm from Thursday into Friday.   

“The key to both of these storms to how much snow they produce is going to be how quickly the cold temperatures affect our county,” Birch said.  

Jeff Orrock, meteorologist in charge for the National Weather Service in Wakefield, Virginia, also believes there could be significant snowfall in Ocean Pines.  

“This could be a good storm for you all. It will depend on the cold air, but 3 to 4 inches of snow and potentially more is in the realm of possibility,” he said.  

Orrock said a rain and snow mix is likely through Friday, with two more winter storms approaching. 

“There are some models suggesting 6 to 8 inches for [Ocean Pines], but I think somewhere in the at least 3 inches to up to 7 inches is a good set of goal posts,” he said. “It will be cold after the snow too on Friday, so it will hang around.  

“There is another system this weekend and then again early next week, so it is going to be a long 7 days,” he added.  

Public Works Director Eddie Wells said his crew would be out plowing and salting, if the weather calls for it.  

"We ask that people not park on the street, especially if we have a plowable snow," Wells said. "If you see the plows out, please give them the courtesy and stay back behind the salt spreaders." 

Ocean Pines General Manager John Viola said the Association will continue to watch the weather and post updates whenever possible. 

“As always, Ocean Pines advises homeowners to monitor trusted sources, like the National Weather Service, for the latest news and information about this and future weather events,” he said. “And Josh Davis, our Public Relations and Marketing Director, will continue to share the latest information on oceanpines.org and on Ocean Pines social media.”