Maryland Deicing Supply

State contract Maryland DGS road-salt contract: $72.76–$80.12 a ton delivered, across the contract periods listedFreeze-thaw BWI averages about 75 freeze-thaw days a year with only about 19 inches of snow (our count of NOAA data, 1991–2020)NOAA normal Baltimore (BWI) averages about 19.3 inches of snow a seasonSHA practice Maryland SHA applies 23.3% brine 2–24 hours ahead of freezing precipitation, not before rainEst. contractor bulk Bulk rock salt at the yard: roughly $100–$150 a ton, depending on volume and freightEst. treated salt Pre-treated bulk salt usually runs $20–$50 a ton over plain rock saltEst. salt brine Salt brine by the gallon: roughly $0.20–$0.40, before deliveryEst. bagged rock salt Pallet of 49 × 50 lb rock salt bags: roughly $240–$330Est. ice melt pallet Pallet of 49 × 50 lb blended ice melt: roughly $430–$600Rule of thumb Plain rock salt slows way down below about 15°F pavement temperatureFall pre-buy Lock in tons and pickup or delivery before the first storm, not during itState contract Maryland DGS road-salt contract: $72.76–$80.12 a ton delivered, across the contract periods listedFreeze-thaw BWI averages about 75 freeze-thaw days a year with only about 19 inches of snow (our count of NOAA data, 1991–2020)NOAA normal Baltimore (BWI) averages about 19.3 inches of snow a seasonSHA practice Maryland SHA applies 23.3% brine 2–24 hours ahead of freezing precipitation, not before rainEst. contractor bulk Bulk rock salt at the yard: roughly $100–$150 a ton, depending on volume and freightEst. treated salt Pre-treated bulk salt usually runs $20–$50 a ton over plain rock saltEst. salt brine Salt brine by the gallon: roughly $0.20–$0.40, before deliveryEst. bagged rock salt Pallet of 49 × 50 lb rock salt bags: roughly $240–$330Est. ice melt pallet Pallet of 49 × 50 lb blended ice melt: roughly $430–$600Rule of thumb Plain rock salt slows way down below about 15°F pavement temperatureFall pre-buy Lock in tons and pickup or delivery before the first storm, not during it

Price figures are estimates from public bids and published price lists, not quotes. Where these numbers come from

Home › Snow & Ice Guide › How a Maryland winter unfolds

How a Maryland winter unfolds

Baltimore snowfall, freeze-thaw counts and the mixed-storm season month by month.

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A Central Maryland winter is mostly a fight with ice. Snow totals are modest, but storms ride the rain-snow line and refreeze is constant. Here's how a typical season tends to go around Baltimore. Any given year can differ.

Snowfall and freeze-thaw

Place	Average seasonal snowfall	Freeze-thaw days a year
Baltimore (BWI)	19.3 in	75.2

Snowfall: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 normals.¹ Freeze-thaw days: our count of days with a high above 32°F and a low below 32°F in NOAA GHCN-Daily records, 1991–2020 average.²

The season, month by month

November: frost and the first freeze

Bridges, garage ramps and shaded walks frost up first. Calibrate, pre-buy and fill storage.

December: first mixed storms

Early storms often start as rain. Watch the changeover; treated salt after the flip.

January to mid-February: peak ice and snow

The coldest stretch and most of the snow. Brine ahead when it starts frozen; push sleet while it's loose.

Late February to March: late storms

Higher sun helps, but late-season storms can still drop heavy wet snow. Refreeze at night around piles.

Next in the guideStorm-readiness checklist →

Sources

Figures are quoted from the sources above. Conditions on your sites vary; follow product labels and your own calibration.

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