Is Christmas a good time to visit MD or not? (Baltimore: house, closing)

[mercury_tanana]

Howdy Marylandian

I'm planning my first trip to MD and VA this Christmas, but my friend said the weather will just be so horrible; heavy snow and icing will be predictably unpleasant. I do love snow and the winter very much, though. I've been in TX just forever (since I've been in the US) to know how bad the heavy snow could be.
Is it a good idea to visit MD on this time of the year? What are the preferable places that I would want to put on my Christmas trip's plan?
I'm 23 yr old girl, travel by myself, and I always love to see new awesome people in town!! So ladies and gentlemen please please with a cherry on top, help me!!

[MrRational]

even without the (rather minor) weather risk aspects...
Christmas is not a good time to visit *anywhere*.

But if that is the only time you have available...
what choice do you have?

If you can come anytime... then come late in April into May
(but pick a less rainy year)

hth

[mercury_tanana]

Each season has its own beauty, I think. Don't be too rational, MrRational
Snow equals terrific!! I only saw the snow two times in my life, I really love to see abundance of it, even dying in snow would be fun jk
Does everybody really just hide in the house when snow falling? MD is absolutely no fun in winter time??? really?

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by mercury_tanana

Snow equals terrific!

I didn't read into your note that you wanted to see snow; if anything you seemed more concerned about the fallout from harsh weather wrt sight seeing. But I still didn't address that because it's mostly a non issue.

Most of MD doesn't usually get much snow until February.
And then it doesn't last very long (plenty of cold and icy rain though).

I addressed traveling (anywhere) during the busiest travel time of the year.
But if you *want* snow at Christmas... Try somewhere farther north and/or with more mountains.

hth

[oddstray]

I grew up in Chicago. When you deal with snow each and every winter, yes you do just hide in the house. I do understand, though, the beauty that a snowy day can have.

I spent a summer working outside Baltimore. I don't know what MD does in winter, but one weekend that summer I went down to Colonial Williamsburg and had a good deal of fun playing with the role-enactors (I let them know that I was from Alta California ... one of those 'ugh! Spaniards', ... they made the most of that ). I imagine that would be pretty wonderful to go there around Christmas time.

[North Beach Person]

If your "friend" is telling you horror stories about winter in MD at Christmas he must not want you to visit. It's more likely to be in the upper 40's, even the low 50's than it is to be snowy and icy at that time. It's something like almost 30 years since MD had snow on Christmas Day (that excludes Western MD because of its geography and location).

Can it be "winter" weather at that time? Well, yes. But the odds are against it. The winter two years ago where we got hammered the few days before Christmas with snow and back to back blizzards a few weeks later was an aberration. Even last year's storms were unusual.

[BigCityDreamer]

Originally Posted by mercury_tanana

Howdy Marylandian

I'm planning my first trip to MD and VA this Christmas, but my friend said the weather will just be so horrible; heavy snow and icing will be predictably unpleasant. I do love snow and the winter very much, though. I've been in TX just forever (since I've been in the US) to know how bad the heavy snow could be.
Is it a good idea to visit MD on this time of the year? What are the preferable places that I would want to put on my Christmas trip's plan?

Generally, Christmas is not a time that Marylanders like to do that much local traveling. It's more of a family get-together time or vacation getaway time. It's usually too cold in Maryland for most people to enjoy the outdoors.

But that certainly doesn't mean you can't visit Maryland during that time if you don't mind the cold. Why not? It should be fun. Keep in mind that in the event of a snowstorm, you need to be prepared for road closings, flight cancelations, etc. Other than that, visit Maryland anytime you want. It's a great state with lots of things to see and do all year round.

[MDAllstar]

I assume you mean the DC area for your visit. If so, the DC area is booming with shoppers and decorations and activity around christmas. Georgetown is especially beautiful during this time as well. The sculpture park on the national mall has ice skating and christmas music also. There probably won't be any snow but the christmas festivities will be going on everywhere. Don't forget to see the National Christmas Tree on the White House Lawn. Maybe catch the nutcracker at the Kennedy Center. The Merry Madagascar Ice Sculpture Paradise at the Gaylord National Harbor is also a must see. These are just a few options for you. Enjoy!

[westsideboy]

December in Maryland is grey, short daylight, cold weather, little precip. All of the other posters are right, with the exception of Garrett and Western Allegany County (both up in the higher mountains), the snow/ice doesn't normally hit Maryland until the Gulf of Mexico starts dumping moisture up into the Ohio Valley in Feb. and early March.

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by westsideboy

December in Maryland is grey, short daylight, cold weather, little precip. All of the other posters are right, with the exception of Garrett and Western Allegany County (both up in the higher mountains), the snow/ice doesn't normally hit Maryland until the Gulf of Mexico starts dumping moisture up into the Ohio Valley in Feb. and early March.

All perfect for me to hit my field blinds for geese. And we do get our share of sunny, cloudless days then. Enough so that I carry a pair of shooting/sun glasses in my blind bag.

Maybe it's my NWPA upbringing but I wouldn't call most of MD cold. Not when most days get above freezing.