A chilly, soaking rain is expected to move through Montgomery County and much of the surrounding region today and tonight, according to the National Weather Service, with no meaningful snow expected locally.
Forecasters say the latest model guidance is in strong agreement that precipitation across central Maryland will fall as rain, even as temperatures hover near freezing overnight. Snow is expected to stay confined to the highest elevations well west of the county, particularly in the Allegheny Highlands, where elevations above 3,000 feet may see a light accumulation.
For Montgomery County, the setup points to a cold rain rather than wintry precipitation. While a weak wedge of cooler air will slide into the region tonight, temperatures are expected to remain just above freezing, generally in the 32 to 34 degree range. That should be enough to prevent snow or ice from developing, even late tonight or early Monday.
Rainfall amounts are expected to be beneficial rather than disruptive. Forecast totals range from around a half inch near the I-70 corridor to close to one inch across parts of southern Maryland, including Montgomery County. The rain should taper off from west to east early Monday morning, with most areas drying out by sunrise.
Once the rain ends, fog could become an issue overnight and into early Monday. With saturated ground and light winds, forecasters say fog development is possible, though there remains uncertainty about how widespread or dense it becomes. Some forecast models suggest the potential for dense fog across parts of the region, while others are less aggressive due to a steady light north wind.
Cooler, cloudy conditions are likely to linger into Monday afternoon as northerly winds reinforce the cool air mass. This could keep temperatures lower than typical for early March, especially north and west of the county.
Looking ahead, the chill will not last long. National Weather Service forecasters say above-normal temperatures are expected to return later in the week, with another chance for rain possible by midweek.
