Station Name: Potomac, MD
Station Type: Buoy
Data Source: National Data Buoy Center

Elevation Above Sea Level: 0 feet

Nearest Address:
Offshore
Scotland, MD 20687
Saint Mary's County

GPS Coordinates: 38.033, -76.335

Nearby Water Temperatures

Winter Storm Watch issued January 23 at 12:36AM EST until January 26 at 1:00PM EST by NWS Wakefield VA

Effective: Fri January 23, 2026, 12:36 AM
Expires: Fri January 23, 2026, 4:00 PM

* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Confidence is increasing in widespread snow, sleet, and freezing rain. This may result in major impacts in infrastructure and transportation. * WHERE...Portions of southeast Maryland, northeast North Carolina, and central, east central, eastern, south central, and southeast Virginia. * WHEN...From Saturday afternoon through Monday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will become slick and hazardous. The combination of significant snow and ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause widespread and long-lasting power outages.

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

Cold Weather Advisory issued January 22 at 9:13PM EST until January 24 at 10:00AM EST by NWS Wakefield VA

Effective: Thu January 22, 2026, 9:13 PM
Expires: Fri January 23, 2026, 9:00 PM

* WHAT...Very cold wind chills between 5 below to 5 above is expected. * WHERE...Portions of southeast Maryland and central, east central, eastern, north central, south central, and southeast Virginia. * WHEN...From 8 PM Friday to 10 AM EST Saturday. * IMPACTS...The cold wind chills as low as 5 above could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken.

Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside.

Cold Weather Advisory issued January 23 at 4:01PM EST until January 24 at 10:00AM EST by NWS Wakefield VA

Effective: Fri January 23, 2026, 4:01 PM
Expires: Sat January 24, 2026, 12:15 AM

* WHAT...Very cold wind chills between 5 below to 5 above is expected. * WHERE...Portions of southeast Maryland and central, east central, eastern, north central, south central, and southeast Virginia. * WHEN...From 8 PM this evening to 10 AM EST Saturday. * IMPACTS...The cold wind chills as low as 5 below could result in hypothermia if precautions are not taken.

Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside.

Winter Storm Warning issued January 23 at 2:16PM EST until January 26 at 7:00PM EST by NWS Wakefield VA

Effective: Fri January 23, 2026, 2:16 PM
Expires: Fri January 23, 2026, 10:30 PM

* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 4 and 7 inches in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula and between 1 and 4 inches in the Western Tidewater Saturday night into Sunday morning. Ice accumulations up to two tenths of an inch on Sunday and Sunday evening. * WHERE...Portions of northeast North Carolina and eastern and southeast Virginia. * WHEN...From 1 PM Saturday to 7 PM EST Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening commutes.

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. In North Carolina, go to http://DriveNC.gov for road information In Virginia, call 511 for road information.

Cold Weather Advisory issued January 23 at 10:09AM EST until January 24 at 10:00AM EST by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC

Effective: Fri January 23, 2026, 10:09 AM
Expires: Fri January 23, 2026, 6:15 PM

* WHAT...Very cold wind chills as low as 5 below expected. * WHERE...In Maryland, Calvert, Charles, and St. Marys Counties. In Virginia, Albemarle, Greene, King George, Orange, Spotsylvania, and Stafford Counties. * WHEN...From 8 PM this evening to 10 AM EST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Wind chill values can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure.

Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves.

Winter Storm Warning issued January 23 at 10:03AM EST until January 26 at 4:00AM EST by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC

Effective: Fri January 23, 2026, 10:03 AM
Expires: Fri January 23, 2026, 6:15 PM

* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 5 and 10 inches and ice accumulations around one quarter of an inch. * WHERE...Portions of southern Maryland and central and northern Virginia. * WHEN...From 11 PM Saturday to 4 AM EST Monday. * IMPACTS...Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow will likely overspread the area Saturday night, becoming heavy at times late Saturday night with rates of one to two inches per hour possible at times. A mix with sleet or freezing rain is expected Sunday. Significant icing is possible especially south of Highway 50. Visibility of one-quarter mile or less is possible at times. A prolonged period wind chills in the teens and single digits is likely beginning this evening and lasting through the middle of next week, with sub-zero wind chills possible at times.

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. Persons should consider delaying all travel. Motorists should use extreme caution if travel is absolutely necessary.

Winter Storm Warning issued January 23 at 5:16PM EST until January 26 at 4:00AM EST by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC

Effective: Fri January 23, 2026, 5:16 PM
Expires: Sat January 24, 2026, 5:30 AM

...MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL IMPACT THE REGION SATURDAY EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING... .A large area of precipitation will overrun Arctic air in place over the Mid-Atlantic. This will lead to widespread significant snow beginning Saturday evening, with the potential for ice Sunday especially south of Highway 50 and near and east of Interstate 95. In addition to the high threat for significant snow and ice, very cold temperatures are expected tonight through the middle of next week with sub-zero wind chills likely at times. * WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 5 and 10 inches and ice accumulations around one quarter of an inch. * WHERE...Portions of southern Maryland and central and northern Virginia. * WHEN...From 11 PM Saturday to 4 AM EST Monday. * IMPACTS...Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow will likely overspread the area Saturday night, becoming heavy at times with rates of one to two inches per hour possible at times. A mix with sleet or freezing rain is expected Sunday. Visibility of one-quarter mile or less is possible at times. A prolonged period of very cold wind chills is likely beginning this evening and lasting through the middle of next week.

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. Persons should consider delaying all travel. Motorists should use extreme caution if travel is absolutely necessary.

Cold Weather Advisory issued January 23 at 4:08PM EST until January 24 at 10:00AM EST by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC

Effective: Fri January 23, 2026, 4:08 PM
Expires: Sat January 24, 2026, 12:15 AM

* WHAT...Very cold wind chills as low as 5 below expected. * WHERE...In Maryland, Calvert, Charles, and St. Marys Counties. In Virginia, Albemarle, Greene, King George, Orange, Spotsylvania, and Stafford Counties. * WHEN...From 8 PM this evening to 10 AM EST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Wind chill values can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure.

Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves.

Winter Storm Watch issued January 23 at 12:36AM EST until January 26 at 1:00PM EST by NWS Wakefield VA

Effective: Fri January 23, 2026, 12:36 AM
Expires: Fri January 23, 2026, 4:00 PM

* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Confidence is increasing in widespread snow, sleet, and freezing rain. This may result in major impacts in infrastructure and transportation. * WHERE...Portions of southeast Maryland and central, east central, and north central Virginia. * WHEN...From Saturday afternoon through Monday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will become slick and hazardous. The combination of significant snow and ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause widespread and long-lasting power outages.

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

Winter Storm Warning issued January 23 at 2:16PM EST until January 26 at 7:00PM EST by NWS Wakefield VA

Effective: Fri January 23, 2026, 2:16 PM
Expires: Fri January 23, 2026, 10:30 PM

* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Snow and sleet will accumulate Saturday evening and overnight and then change to freezing rain during the day Sunday. Total snow and sleet accumulations Saturday night into Sunday morning between 4 and 9 inches and ice accumulations up to three quarters of an inch Sunday into Sunday night. * WHERE...Portions of southeast Maryland and central, east central, north central, and southeast Virginia. * WHEN...From 1 PM Saturday to 7 PM EST Monday. * IMPACTS...Devastating impacts are expected including widespread power outages and tree damage due to the ice. Travel could quickly become nearly impossible. Due to the increasing wind on Monday, additional tree damage and power outages are possible. People should prepare for power outages to potentially last for several days along with extreme cold.

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. In Maryland, call 511 for road information. In Virginia, call 511 for road information.