[captioning made possible by constellation energy group] captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> hello and welcome to 11 news saturday morning. >> the snow flakes have been falling all night, just the beginning of a major snowstorm that is expected to pound our area of this last shopping weekend before christmas. >> many areas are already seeing a couple of inches. we will be here all day to guide you with information. tim tooten is in baltimore county. >> hour or meteorologist has the look at the very latest conditions. what have you seen so far? what can we expect going forward? >> anywhere from 2 -4 interest of snow already on the ground. it depends somewhat location you are in. road bridges full of slush. 40 miles per hour coming in. here is the history of the storm so far. coming out of the gulf of mexico. the minute the moisture gets into the carolinas, north carolina specifically, it turns into snow. it is in the process of coming up through virginia yesterday. it started last night around 12:00. it has been snowing ever since. let's switch to our current radar. almost all of maryland except for extreme southern maryland lower eastern shore involved in the storm. the storm center is redeveloping. on the north carolina coast near wilmington at this stage -- it is. to start going up the coast and heading out to sea. -- it is going to start going up the coast and headed out to sea. right now we want to take a look outside. there is sandra shaw. what are you experiencing out there? >> it it's absolutely gorgeous. i am not one that likes the snow. this is the nice, white, fluffy snow. it was very brisk and refreshened walking down here this morning. we are in the downtown area. a little bit of light snow accumulation. right here on the ground, this is my boot. it is 3 inches wet. -- wedge. about 3 inches of snow accumulating. it has picked up a little bit. it is very visible. the roads are not really a full yet. the main street, boston street is plowed. the side roads are still slippery. it is a day tuesday io stay in. make a fire and sip some refreshing beverages. this will be a storm to remember. tim tooten is in white marsh this morning. how are things in your neck of the woods? >> it is beautiful. white marsh boulevard over my left, white marsh mall over my right. this is near the i-monday 5 corridor. -- i 95 corridor. people come to eight coffee and some of the contractors are coming to fuel themselves up. the malls will be opened in a few hours. they are making sure these roads are getting prepared. 43 was not very bad. the beltway was possible. as soon as they clear the roads off, the snow is it coming. that will be a challenge. yesterday we spoke with someone with that city of baltimore and they said they were ready. >> with tons of salt on hand and crews on place to manage equipment, maryland is preparing for the worst. >> a lot of hard-working state personnel. i am sure personnel in all of the jurisdictions will be on the roads as well. we want to keep them safe and passable. >> the governor is confident the state has all of their bases covered. >> this will be the most intense storm we have had this year. we are very well-equipped and prepared to keep the roadways open. >> ball -- baltimore officials say they are ready to battle the snow but are counting on the public to help out. >> we hope that if you do, if you do not absolutely have to go out that you did not go out. if you do have to go out, please leave plenty early, allow yourself plenty of time. >> we need to have the citizens help by staying in, do that. have a slave ride with the kids or what ever. >> -- sleigh ride with the kids or whatever. >> we cannot stay home because we have to bring this to you. we will have a great time today. i note our anchors in the studio -- and i know our anchors in the studio are having a good time. >> i cannot believe so many people are on the road this early in the morning. where are they going? >> it is still early. many of the contractors are out. they are trying to get the roads clear. i guess, they do not want to hear the warning of stay home and it is not even they like it. the big question is how are you guys back in the studio? >> thanks. >> you know i am a caring person. you have not answered yet. >> we are good because we are talking to you. >> i think the warning to stay home -- as things like an up, people want to get their shopping in at the mall. some of the road around the mall are some of the clearest. back to you. >> schools are closed right? >> yes, you had to go there. yes, they are closed today. >> the snow is taking over the final weekend before christmas. that has many people racing to get the last minute shopping done. our reporter has that part of the story. >> business has been great today. we are doing double what we do on an offer because of the possible snowstorm. everybody wants to stock up and be well prepared. >> the wetness was text friday with people stocking up for the big snow expected this weekend. >> the basics, scarves, hats, gloves. >> we plan on doing everything tomorrow, but we had to leave work early to get in and get our toilet paper. >> people are not just stocking up on food. they are swarming into here to pick up supplies to battle the snow. >> i am getting reflectors to keep people off of my long and help melt the snow off the driveway. >> we want to cover this from the snow. >> it is a busy weekend before christmas and the snow may make it more chaotic. >> i feel rushed to get everything done now. >> wbal tv 11 news. >> we will take a break right now. we will be back with a lot more. does your phone alert you when you have a message ? does it alert you without interrupting what you're doing ? does it alert you without interrupting what you're doing so you can continue to, say, send a video to someone ? holding your messages till you're ready to view them ? droid does. the notification panel-- your own personal gatekeeper. in a world of doesn't... ..when your nose is raw and sore. plain tissue can make it burn even more. but mom knows there's puffs plus... ...with the magic of three. soothing lotion with a touch of shea butter, aloe and e. plain tissue can irritate the sore nose issue. puffs plus with lotion is a more soothing tissue. a nose in need deserves puffs plus indeed. and try puffs plus with the comforting scent of vicks. >> center will be a long later. tony will be in today -- sandra will be along later. tony will be in tonight. we want to show you on our hd doppler radar a wide view of the storm as it develops in the gulf of mexico and moves northward. as the moisture got into north carolina, it turned to snow with the cold air. virginia has been dealing with this since yesterday or so. the storm moved in and they got up and to the baltimore area around 12:00 last night. it has been pretty steady since then. we have had about three or 4 inches of snow on the ground already. a lot of slush. this is a stormy will have to keep up with. take a closer look at the radar right now. we see a little bit of rain extreme southern tip of maryland. other than that, it is all snow around the area. this is a spinning off the coast of carolina. that is what makes it a powerful nor'easter. the breezes are beginning to pick up a little bit right now. i-95 at harford road, there you see it. a lot of slush and snow on the road. one car there. at bwi marshall, the temperature is 26. downtown 27 degrees. the barometric pressure will fall off as the day goes on. we will go to tom right now in detail what this. to happen. >> -- what is going to happen. >> late last night the national weather system up for this to a blizzard warning indicating the wins will be stronger version a few locations. everybody will get in on the snow. it could get up to 30 miles per hour over time and reduced visibility to a quarter mile or less. since some areas a blizzard warning and others in winter storm warning. everybody is going to have a major winter storm moving through. temperatures have been steady or falling throughout the morning. mid 20's in most spots. 39 ocean city. rain extension with the snow. it will cut down on accumulation. went off the ocean strong, almost storm force winds. it is gusting over 30 at one aerostation. when you combine the cold with the strong winds, the temperatures feel like they are down in the low teens. if you will enjoy the snow out there, prepare for cold temperatures. the storm is working its way past wilmington. it is expected to get strongest as it moves up through southern new england. for the next 12 hours, the storm will be strengthening rapidly. the storm will be pulling moisture off the ocean. it is likely to continue. this big picture of snow fall accumulation shows we are right in the target zone for the hardest hit area. the washington corridor there -- generally speaking, less snow where warmer temperatures are mixing with rain. the colder air shows snowfall increasing. for all day today and tonight and during the day and first half of sunday, we should probably approach the 20 inch mark. if the storm stays on track, at 30 inches of snow coming in a sense of delirious -- in certain areas may occur. the storm total topping 20 inches in most areas. it winds down tomorrow morning. winds around 15-20 miles per hour. it will be cold and windy. the seven-day forecast hold onto these wintry conditions. 28 degrees at the high today. 20 inches or more in most area by the time of winds down sunday morning. for the ravens game, which should have a break from cloud cover. maybe some snow flurries left over. cold condition and windy conditions for the game. a high of 32. 18 monday morning. 17 tuesday morning. perhaps another storm just in time for christmas eve. thursday a high of 39. it may record a rain. -- it may mix with rain. jennifer franciotti is joining us now outside. she always has fun on what of first assignment we differ. it took on whatever assignment we give her. >> it is all attitude. if you have to be out here you may as well have fun. i am here with a trooper from the maryland state police. he was so nice to come. we are in westminster. thank you so much for coming out here this morning. tell us about the road conditions. >> snowy. if you do not have to go out, do not go out. >> that is tough to tell people on the weekend before christmas. a lot of people have a lot of christmas shopping to do. we have seen clouts come by here -- plows, out here. as soon as they get the snow off the road, it comes right back down. >> it is hard. leave more stopping distance and lower your speed and make sure you are wearing your seat belt if you are driving. >> we will not say anything to jinx the accident situation in this county right now. i think you are almost done with your ship tonight. enjoy the rest of the day with your family. merry christmas to you. we appreciate you coming out today. it is knowing as you can see. already on the ground we have about 5 inches of snow in pretty windy conditions. a sideways blowing snow out here. this is 140. if you look to the right of your screen, it is heading in the eastbound direction. this is a major shopping hub where i am at. when that seemed the contractors out here this morning trying to plow the parking lot and make it as safe as possible for people later on when they do get out. definitely a situation where they are trying to get on top of it. who is out this time of morning? maryland state police, state highway is trying to do their job. people still have to work and keep the motion going. we are here with a smile on our face and we will send it back to you guys. >> did the up assert state? we -- did the opposite should stick around? we have a question for him. >>, they have a very important question to ask you. >> how tall is this man? >> 5'20". h>> he is 6' 9". >> he is not the tallest trooper in maryland. -- he is 6' 8". >> he is not the tallest cooper in maryland. -- trooper in maryland. >> who is the tallest trooper in maryland? >> he is 6' 9". >> thanks. these numbing be pretty to look at, but it is causing major headaches for drivers. we will give you live coverage when we come back. >> of the heavy snows and martin, d.c. is obstructing flights all over the country already. -- how the heavy snow in washington, d.c. is >> you can imagine the travel habits that go along with a major snowstorm. >> the state highway it ministration personnel is on the phone. -- administration personnel is on the phone. >> we have been aggressively monitoring this storm. since thursday, we have deployed pre-treatment operations using salt and sugar beet molasses in frederick and a howard county. that continued into yesterday. we brought back in about 10:00 p.m. last night this crew and they have been out ever since. >> what are the road conditions like in the area? >> we are looking at a statewide storm. we have 21 pieces of equipment out. 2100 trucks are out. we are seeing the heaviest snow in central and southern maryland. at the statewide operations center, i see isolating coverage on our interstate. the snow is coming down at a steady pace. the crews are out treating the roads. the road is quickly becoming covered again after they plowed it. vehicles are traveling with their hazards light on. lane markings are hard to detect. it is not ideal driving conditions. the best advice is to stay home. >> is a storm of this magnitude, 20 or 30 inches, how do you keep on top and giving proper break to the drivers that are out there? this will be going on and on. how do you monitor that? >> we have cruised around the clock. we stagger them as needed. we bring them in or break to eat, rest when needed. we make sure they get adequate sleep through out the early morning hours. we rotate those crews so that we have patrols on the road at all time making sure that our crews are getting the needed rest they need. >> thank you so much for joining us this morning. we will check in with you later. >> at this notion washington, d.c. is having a domino affect in airports -- heavy snow in washington, d.c. is having a domino effect in airports across the country. >> many airlines have already cancelled all flights for today both departing and arriving flights. call in ahead of time to find out the status of your flight. a lot of people trying to get home for the holidays. >> that is stressful. >> do not go away. we will be back with more live team coverage on this major snowstorm. stay with us. ♪ ♪ i'm cool like that, i'm cool like that ♪ ♪ i'm cool like that [ female announcer ] there's a smarter, cooler way to get your clothes brilliantly clean. and it's a turn for the better. ♪ i'm cool like that, i'm cool like that ♪ [ female announcer ] tide coldwater. it's specially formulated to clean in cold better than the other brand does in warm. ♪ cool like that and by washing in cold, you can save up to $10 on your energy bill with every 100 oz bottle. and that's cool. tide coldwater. get out of the old and into the cold. ♪ i'm cool like that >> the son bit ravens game against the chicago bears has been pushed to give the city more time to clear the streets around the stadium. >> you dump the snow forward and for word from the upper deck to the lower deck and haul it out of there and put it in the chesapeake. >> right into the bay. the team's main concern is safety. the game has been moved to 4:15. you can follow the storm as it develops on our website. it will track the weather down to your very own street. find out when it is headed to your neighborhood. it is there. go to our web site and click on whetheeather at wbaltv.com. you can submit your own photos and check up others on our website at wbaltv.com. >> it is cold on tv hill. i do not know what the temperature is, but it is cold. but we will have more on this major storm coming up. >> tim tooten with baltimore county, what march. it is snowing. i am at the i-95 corridor. we will have all the information for you. >> 3 inches downtown. they are trying to plow the parking lot to no avail. it is coming down strong. it is pretty. details just ahead. everyone can enjoy, even lactose intolerant folks, because i'm using delicious lactaid milk. 100% real milk that's lactose-free... so it's easy on the stomach. welcome back to the table. love it with lactaid. >> welcome back to 11 news saturday morning. thanks for joining us. >> get out the salt and shovel, everything else you need. we are in for a major snowstorm. let's check in with the john. correct the all-time record snowfall was president de 2003. -- president day 2003. >> it almost felt like the end of the world would you were out on the streets yesterday. >> it was rough out there. >> did you buy bread and toilet paper? >> no, i was buying supplies for the long haul. we are going to be stuck here. any time i buy bread and toilet paper -- i am here. we want to take a look at hd doppler radar and show you what is going on. it is snowing out of their just before midnight or so. we have accumulated about 5 inches of snow at this particular stage of the game. light to moderate snow fall as what we have right now. look at our radar, that spending low pressure center that i have identified off the coast of north carolina, that is the low pressure center that is going to cause all of the problems today. let's zoom in to our area. you can't say a little bit of rain on the lower eastern shore from salisbury forward. everyone else the fitting snowfall including sandra shaw -- everyone else is getting snowfall including in brushofsa. are you ready to go? >> yes. i have mark campbell will has been out here shoveling already this morning. he has been through this before. what are your feelings about this particular storm? >> it is going to be a nice, long storm. i think it will be 24-30 inch es. correct you have been working hard out here. do you think -- >> you have been working hard out here. do you think it is futile? >> it is definitely coming down constantly. >> it is pretty. on the bushes, and about three or 4 inches downtown. thing here are really coming down. it will intensify. the winds are picking up a little bit. things are going to be hanging out all day. he mentioned the duration of this storm which will be a major player. that is a situation from downtown right now. we have seen vehicles around. they are trying to keep the main roads ploughed. you did not want to be out and around. it took my friend more than 2.5 hours from d.c. to get here. that tells you what the roads are like. tim tooten is at white marsh. it is a wet day there today. >> and did you get your groceries? >> i am getting ready to. they are already open. people did not want to brave the crowds yesterday. i think there will be here early this morning. >> yes. if you are down south, you get groceries. i am at the 711 white marsh at the place where everybody knows my name. we were talking about plows rocking and rolling out here. they are out. they are making sure that white marsh mall just across from the police station -- this is the i- 95 corridor that we hear a lot about in terms of the snow. you see some slushy stuff. you can tell i am a guy from florida. this crew is here. >> we are shoveling and waiting for businesses to open. we want to make sure it is safe for everybody to come out and see the snow. what are they giving you a hard time today? >> no, we have a lot of fun doing this. but not of snow in the city. >> we are trying to help out. people need to get that treatment. but i will not hold you that up. -- told you guhold you guys up. we are covering the area out here. people are helping. these roads are not quite ready yet for road travellers. we have seen a lot of contractors out today making sure these roads are clear. i will go back to the studio for the women of the year. i have declared that by the power invested in me. >> we like you this early. you are so giddy. >> there are people out here and that may not be a good idea. it is really coming down. you really should not play around in this stuff. it is fun, but it will get worse as the day goes on. >> it is pretty. you are right. there are mixed messages there. [unintelligible] >> we are talking about the futility of it all. you have to keep shoveling because it keeps snowing. >> days are the kinds of problems you are a thing about white marsh mall. they are trying to get prepared for people trying to get to the gross restorcery store, or burg. talk to the plough and it moves. plo -- plow and it moves. >> i am in the white marsh area. it covers the ground as soon as you plowed i it. >> ok. thanks so much. we will see you around. this is a good place to get coffee. >> how much coffee have you had? residue not start anything, lisa. i have -- do not start anything, lisa. i have had 1 cup. our policy is leaving. -- posse is leaving. take care. >> despite the snow and road conditions, some people still have to get around this weekend. some have to go to work. >> in case you want to take public transportation, we will check on the buses and trains right now with the mta. >> we are checking on our systems with the mta this morning. it is moving well on metro and light rail. about a 10 minute delay southbound on the light rail. everything going well on matter. the buses will operate on our regular routes, some will be diverted. you can get updated transit information on our website mta maryland.com. customer service representatives will be available starting at 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.. you may want to call them. >> are they operating on a regular schedule at this hour for the buses? >> for the most part as far as routes are concerned. we have had quite a few diversions in place with the no. 5. if you need information on a local bus to see if there is a diversion on your route, called our informational 410-539-5000. we will have customer service representatives in place starting at 6:00 a.m. >> thanks. stay with us. >> i am jennifer franciotti reporting live in carroll county where the snow is coming down fast. the wind is blowing. details are next. >> a winter storm warning is in effect. we will show you how much snow is ex >> let's take a look at the radar to tell you what is going on with the storm historically before we give you the current situation. on their age steve doppler radar, the storm -- on our hd doppler radar, the storm pulled all of this moisture up the eastern seaboard. as the moisture reached north carolina and hit the cold air, turned to snow. that is what virginia experienced a good part of yesterday. the storm made it to the baltimore area last night just before midnight. let's take a look at the current radar. let's focus in on the state of maryland. ocean city around 40 degrees right now. they get rained on. seven tense rain in some of those counties. then it turns to snow. some more will come later this morning and afternoon as the winds pick up. we will go outside of the current situation. this is carroll county. i am getting 3 inches of snow on the ground there. the snow is blowing sideways. the wind is picking up a little bit. at the airport, the winds are normally 12 miles per hour. blizzard situation in some parts of the area. 27 at the inner harbor. 90% humidity. -- the winds are north at 12. they will get stronger as the day goes on. check thing out -- we want to check things out with tom to see where the records are. >> it looks that way that this may be a record. s to go past 14.1 inches, we will reach the record. a high of 27 is the average high for the state. -- record high it set a fixed. we have a record for today. [unintelligible] the red along the coast and southern sections of maryland, the winds are expected to kick in and we will have one week visibility. they've counted are under a blizzard warning. temperatures will be in the 20's in most spot. -- these counties in red are under a blizzard warning. temperatures will be in the 20's in most spots. tropical storm force winds along the coast. winds gusting to 37 miles per hour in ocean city. the next 12 hours, it will be the strongest. the storm will bring the moisture in from the mid- atlantic. we will get heavy snow stretching from the foothills of the blue ridge on up towards new york. the i-95 corridor will be affected by this entire storm. a possibility of 20 or 30 inches of around baltimore. 12 inches for the central eastern shore. more on the upper eastern shore. the winds will increase on sunday. the temperatures will stay in the 20's. additional accumulations will come in. the skies will try to clear up in the afternoon tomorrow. it will be breezy and cold. kickoff temperatures around freezing. 27 degrees when the game wrapped up in the evening. there will be a wind chill. temperatures stain cold. it's possible another storm rolling in on thursday. we have to go outside. we are not a done until we talk to jennifer franciotti. what do you have out there? >> it is coming down. that is all right. these are not your hours. you are not used to being up this morning unless you're out jogging. this is not jogging weather. this is one of the contractors out there making sure that crossroads square is clear for shoppers in westminster later on. what are you facing this morning? >> the big challenge is we have to find out where we are going to push the snow depending on how much we get. it is slick. we have to watch people sneak behind you. >> you are worried about traction. >> yes. we are trying to get traction by putting some more salt. >> this is going to be your job all day. >> keep up with this and try to keep the roads clean as best we can. >> thanks. >> i am with outside unlimited. >> you are doing a heck of a job. they have been busy all morning long. we have seen terrible conditions from my own driveway. that was 3:00 this morning. it was slippery. we had to 3 inches of snow on the ground then. we have about 5 inches here in carroll county. it is picking up in the area. the snow is coming down heavier. if they are saying the heaviest snow is yet to come, are we going to be in for it. it is cold, the wind is blowing, and people are moving out here in carroll county. reporting live, i am jennifer franciotti. >> is your daughter afraid of the snow? >> is she ever. her birthday is tomorrow. we were supposed to have her party today. i went from my first plan to my second plan. now i am on my third plan. it is hot chocolate and gingerbread making and sliding down the hill at my house. >> they are going to have a ball. that is very cute. >> i hope so. >> thanks. stay with us. more snow coverage coming up. i'm challenging my husband... that'll be me. ...to use new crest extra white plus scope outlast, like me. like her. whew. it's minty! it whitens your teeth and gives you a fresh breath feeling that actually lasts. mm-hmm. and he likes to drink a lot of coffee. 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[ female announcer ] new crest extra white plus scope outlast. >> three people including a child were taken to the hospital when they were overcome with carbon monoxide. this was in rosedale. six others were treated at the scene. the cause is still under investigation. >> investigators are looking for the cause of a to alarm fire. the call occurred just after 10 yesterday morning. it was having flames coming from the roof of the two-story duplex. a couple of people were home at the time. they were able to get out safely. no one was injured. so far, the fire truck accidental. >> stay with us, more news is coming up. here is a look at the winning lottery numbers from last night. good luck.