Following a chilly but dry winter so far, the weather pattern is set to push into action mode for the remainder of January to early February.
The stretch from Aug. 1, 2025, to Jan. 20, 2026, is now ranked as the driest since 1900 in Hagerstown with 8.61 inches of mostly rainfall. Severe drought is gripping the region; creeks are running far below-average, and depth to the water table is severely impacted by the drought.
The last time 100% of Washington County, Maryland, was in a severe drought during the winter was February of 2002.
A pattern change starting this weekend is set to bring much needed snowfall and moisture to the region and dangerously cold temperatures. There will likely be two storms producing snowfall for our region into early February.
The region will likely see at least four inches, with up to a foot possible. The coldest weather of the season will arrive at the end of January. Temperatures on at least one occasion will drop to minus-1 to minus-5 degrees, and daily record low temperatures are expected.
The snowpack is desperately needed for several reasons. The dry soil and high winds so far this winter have blown away many nutrients in the topsoil in the farm fields. A snowpack keeps more nutrients from blowing away in the wind, and during the warmer days melts slowly into the soil, helping to replenish groundwater levels.
Also, snow contains nitrogen, which acts as a fertilizer for the soil. The pattern over the next two weeks won’t cure the drought, but it will be one step in the right direction.
This is also a good time to remind folks to leave faucets dripping and open cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around pipes to prevent cold weather damage. Dress in layers to go outside because doing that traps body heat more efficiently than wearing one heavy layer. Water main breaks are also very possible during the cold spell through the end of the month.
This article is courtesy of the The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack.
