Baltimore Unveils Unified Winter Weather Plan
City officials outline a coordinated 2026-27 snow and cold-weather response built on lessons from last winter's historic storm.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Forecasts
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Mayor Brandon Scott announced Baltimore's winter weather plan for the 2026-27 season at the North Avenue Salt Dome and Brine Facility on Monday. The plan follows last winter's Winter Storm Fern, which brought historic snowfall, ice accumulation, and an extended deep freeze.
Why it matters
Last winter Baltimore recorded 21 Code Blue days and 18 cold-related deaths, underscoring the stakes of cold-weather preparedness for residents. The changes aim to improve coordination across city agencies ahead of the next season.
Code Purple activates at 32 degrees or below and Code Blue at 13 degrees or below wind chill, with last winter recording 78 Code Purple days and 21 Code Blue days from Nov. 15 to March 15. The source does not yet report how these thresholds will be adjusted for the 2026-27 season.
The players
Brandon Scott
Brandon Scott is the mayor of Baltimore, who announced the city's 2026-27 winter weather plan.
Baltimore Office of Emergency Management
The Baltimore Office of Emergency Management is the city agency that scheduled the December emergency exercise to test snow response plans.
The details
Transportation crews have changed plow routes, contractor use, and communication following a post-season review of last winter's response. City agencies will coordinate through an all-hands-on-deck approach, and Baltimore will continue its partnership with Baltimore County for regional snow response.
Timeline
Nov. 15 through March 15: Last winter's period in which Baltimore recorded 21 Code Blue days and 18 cold-related deaths.
Monday, Nov. 9, 2026: City officials announced the 2026-27 winter weather plan.
December 2026: A city emergency exercise will test snow response plans.
Seasonal Patterns
Baltimore's 2026-27 plan is a direct response to Winter Storm Fern, the historic snowfall and extended deep freeze that drove 21 Code Blue days and 78 Code Purple days last winter. The city is revising its snow response and regional partnership with Baltimore County in light of that single season's extremes.
Residents should keep a 72-hour supply of food, water, and medication on hand before cold weather arrives. Pay attention to Code Purple and Code Blue activations, which signal when the city opens cold-weather resources.
The takeaway
Last winter's record cold days and deaths show that preparation matters before the first storm arrives. Keeping supplies stocked and knowing the Code Purple and Code Blue thresholds can help households respond quickly.
What happens next
A December 2026 emergency exercise will test the city's snow response plans and coordination between field workers and the Emergency Operations Center.
Further reading
For broader context on regional conditions, see Forecasts in the Baltimore section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBFF.
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