City of Baltimore Evening Update on Winter Storm Management

Baltimore City's Emergency Declaration Remains In Effect as the Emergency Operations Center moves to Partial Activation, Frigid Temperatures to Continue

BALTIMORE, MD (Tuesday, January 27, 2026) - This evening, Mayor Brandon M. Scott issued the following update regarding snow accumulation, icy conditions, and freezing temperatures.

The State of Emergency declaration issued by Mayor Scott on Friday, January 23rd remains in effect.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has moved to a partial activation posture with the operational agencies remaining to coordinate the continued response effort.

Operational Agencies Include: Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Public Works (DPW), Department of Government Services (DGS), Baltimore City Recreation and Parks (BCRP).

Forecast Update

The Baltimore region is under a cold weather advisory until 11:00 AM tomorrow, Wednesday, January 28, 2026, per the National Weather Service (NWS). Last night saw sub-zero degree temperatures with wind chill with similar weather expected tonight. Dangerous wind chills are also possible for several more nights through most of this coming week.

The Baltimore City Health Department's Cold Blue declaration remains in effect and has been extended until Sunday, February 1, 2026.

The City is closely monitoring the potential for another winter storm this coming weekend in coordination with the National Weather Service. At this time, the probability remains low. The City will continue to assess conditions and will share updates as more information becomes available.

Closures and Modified Start Times

Baltimore City Government will open on a delayed start time at 10:00 AM for all in-person operations tomorrow, Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Baltimore City Public Schools will be closed tomorrow Wednesday, January 28, 2026. For schools this is the third day of three traditional winter weather closures that are identified in the district calendar in June as make up days. City Schools Central Office will open on time.

Baltimore City recreation centers will open at 10:00 AM tomorrow, Wednesday, January 28, 2026 and be open until 6:00pm.

On Wednesday, January 28th, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, including all court house buildings will open at 9:00 AM.

Enoch Pratt Free Libraries will have a modified schedule from 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM tomorrow, Wednesday, January 28th due to inclement weather.

Updated Parking Availability

The Parking Authority of Baltimore City has extended the ability for residents to utilize free City-owned parking garages through 7:00 PM tomorrow, Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Beginning tomorrow at 7:00 PM, residents will begin being charged under normal garage operations. Residents parked in a garages should start making preparations now to return their cars to residential streets.

This applies to the following garages:

• Baltimore Street Garage 15 Guilford Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21202
• Feel & Eden Garage 501 S. Eden Street, Baltimore, MD 21231
• Franklin Street Garage 15 W. Franklin Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
• Penn Station Garage 1511 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
• Saint Paul Street Garage 210 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
• West Street Garage 40 E West Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
• Caroline Street Garage 805 South Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD 21231
• Little Italy Garage 400 South Central Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21202
• Waverly Lot 3201 Barclay St, Baltimore, MD 21218

Additionally, Johns Hopkins University's South Garage parking lot located off Wyman Park Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218, is open to the public for free until 7:00 pm Sunday, February 1, 2026.

Baltimore Snow Corps

Baltimore Snow Corps continued operations, connecting residents who need assistance clearing snow and ice from sidewalks with neighbors who are willing to help during winter weather events.

This program is designed to support seniors, people with disabilities, and others who may have difficulty safely clearing sidewalks during snowstorms. It relies on community volunteers and does not replace city snow operations.

Mayor Scott would like to encourage residents interested in volunteering to sign-up through the methods below. Students who have a snow day will be eligible for service-learning hours if they participate. On the volunteer sign-up form, student volunteers should list your school as the organization and indicate that you'd like to accrue service-learning hours in the notes section.

Residents that need help or want to volunteer can sign-up by calling 311, use the 311 web page, or use the BALT311 app. A small team operating out of the Emergency Operations Center will be monitoring service requests on a rolling basis, and will attempt to match volunteers with residents nearby who need assistance. More information is available at moca.baltimorecity.gov/baltimore-snow-corps.

Solid Waste Operations

As a reminder, due to the snowstorm, icy conditions, and forecasted freezing temperatures, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) has implemented a temporary shift in trash and recycling operations.

Service updates include:

• Recycling collection is suspended for the week
• Trash collection IS NOT occurring via alleys. Residents are asked to bring their trash cans to the ends of the alleys or to the front of their residence.
• Tuesday pickup, which was rescheduled, will occur this Saturday, January 31st as if it was holiday

This temporary collection approach allows DPW to focus operational resources on removing as much trash as possible during severe winter conditions.

Residents are encouraged to work together with neighbors, especially those who may need assistance moving trash, to help keep neighborhoods clean and accessible. Residents are also asked to be careful not to block alleys so emergency vehicles, neighbors, and service crews can pass safely.

If a trash pickup is missed, residents should call 311 to notify the City, and DPW crews will return to remove the trash.

All Baltimore City Department of Public Works Resident Recycling Centers will return to a normal operations schedule beginning Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The Department of Public Works (DPW) will continue providing real-time updates and service alerts through official communication channels.

MOHS Warming Centers

As part of MOHS' Code Purple activation, the following Continuum of Care (CoC) providers will operate as warming centers for people experiencing homelessness:

• Beans & Bread
  400 S. Bond St., Baltimore, MD 21231
  Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
  
• Franciscan Center
  101 W. 23rd St., Baltimore, MD 21218
  Monday - Friday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
• Manna House
  435 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218
  Monday - Friday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  
• My Sister's Place Women's Center - Women and Children Only
  17 W. Franklin St., Baltimore, MD 21201
  Daily, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  
• Weinberg Housing & Resource Center (WHRC)
  620 Fallsway, Baltimore, MD 21202
  Daily, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

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