Harford County Snow Guide: Plows, Parking and Who to Call

When it snows in Harford County, the county plows emergency roads first, then main roads, then side streets and cul-de-sacs. After a 6 to 12 inch storm, the county gives two figures for every county road to get its first pass: 24 to 36 hours on its Snow Events page and about 24 to 48 hours on its Snow Plow Tracker page. If your county road still hasn't been plowed, call 410-638-3532. If you live in Bel Air, Aberdeen or Havre de Grace, or on a numbered state route, call the number for that road instead (list below).

Save this page now. You'll want it at 6 a.m. on a snow day.

How does Harford County decide which roads to plow first?

The county plows in this order, per its Snow Events page:

1. Emergency roads
2. Main roads
3. Secondary roads and cul-de-sacs

Crews push snow curb to curb so drains stay open and the mail can get through.

How long does it take to plow my street?

Here is what the county says to expect after the snow stops:

The county's Snow Plow Tracker page gives a longer range for 6 to 12 inches (about 24 to 48 hours after the snow stops) and notes it may take several passes to fully clear a road. The county clears more than 1,000 miles of county roads and more than 1,200 cul-de-sacs.

Can I watch the plows live?

Yes, during big storms. The county turns on the Snow Plow Tracker for major snowstorms. It updates every 15 minutes. County roads show up yellow on the map.

Is my road a county road?

If your street sign is green and you're not on a numbered route, it's most likely a county road, per the county FAQ. County roads do not include:

• State roads (numbered routes like 543, 22 or 40)
• Roads inside Bel Air, Havre de Grace or Aberdeen
• Private roads

Who do I call if my road hasn't been plowed?

These numbers come from the county's Snow Events page:

Plow damaged your mailbox, curb or yard? Report it to the county Highway Administrative Office at 410-638-3279 or through You Click We Fix, per the county FAQ.

Where should I park when it snows?

Use your driveway if you have one. If you don't, the county asks you to park on the even-numbered side of the road in even years and the odd-numbered side in odd years, close to the curb. Then move to the other side after the plow clears it.

Two more tips from the county:

• Move portable basketball hoops out of the county right of way.
• Shovel your driveway snow to the right as you face the road. That way the plow is less likely to push it back into your driveway.

What happens when Maryland declares a snow emergency?

Maryland State Police declare snow emergencies, with input from the State Highway Administration, and CHART lists them by county. While one is in effect, you can't park on designated snow emergency routes, and cars need snow tires or chains (CHART notes most cars now have all-weather tires, so a switch to snow tires is unnecessary). Check CHART's snow emergency page to see if Harford is under one.

How does HCPS make up snow days in 2026-2027?

Harford County Public Schools built three makeup days into the 2026-2027 calendar. They get used in this order: March 1, June 1 and April 12, 2027. If they aren't needed, schools and offices are closed those days. That's from the HCPS Calendar at a Glance.

What if the power goes out?

Report downed wires or a tree on a wire:

• BGE: 877-778-2222
• Delmarva Power: 800-898-8042

For emergency alerts, the county lists WXCY 103.7 FM and WHFC 91.1 FM.

Getting your house ready for winter? See my fall leaf and yard waste guide and my 2026 holiday guide for what's going on this season.

FAQ

Who do I call about an unplowed road in Harford County?

For county roads, call 410-638-3532. For state roads, call the State Highway Administration at 410-838-7788. Bel Air, Aberdeen and Havre de Grace plow their own streets.

How long does Harford County take to plow after a snowstorm?

After 6 to 12 inches, the county's Snow Events page says 24 to 36 hours for one pass on every county road, and its Snow Plow Tracker page says about 24 to 48 hours.

Does Harford County have a snow plow tracker?

Yes. The county turns on its Snow Plow Tracker during major snowstorms. It updates every 15 minutes.

Which side of the street should I park on when it snows in Harford County?

If you have no driveway, park on the even-numbered side in even years and the odd-numbered side in odd years.

What are the HCPS snow makeup days for 2026-2027?

March 1, June 1 and April 12, 2027, used in that order.

About the author: Josh Tessier is a Harford County REALTOR® with the Lee Tessier Team at eXp Realty, based in Bel Air. He has been licensed in real estate since 2011, and the Lee Tessier Team has sold 5,900+ homes. He lives in Harford County and is raising his family here. Call or text (443) 617-2099.

Watch more on my YouTube channel: Josh Talks Harford. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

Header photo: “16.Snow.BaltimoreMD.4January2018.” by Elvert Barnes, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken in Baltimore, Jan. 4, 2018. Cropped, with text added.

Sources

• Harford County, Snow Events (priorities, timelines, parking, phone numbers, outage and radio info)
• Town of Bel Air, Public Works (Town Public Works phone 410-638-4545)
• Harford County, Snow Plow Tracker
• Harford County, Highway Maintenance FAQs (county road test, damage reports)
• Maryland CHART, Snow Emergency Plans
• Harford County Public Schools, 2026-2027 Calendar at a Glance
• Josh Tessier, about: https://joshtalksharford.com/about