Honestly, living in Prince George's County this time of year is a gamble. One day you’re walking the dog through Allen Pond Park in a light fleece, and the next, you’re frantically digging the ice scraper out from under the passenger seat. If you’ve lived here long enough, you know the Bowie Maryland weather forecast is more of a suggestion than a set-in-stone rule.
Right now, as we sit in the middle of January 2026, the air has that specific Maryland bite. Tonight, January 15, the temperature is hovering at a crisp 22°F, but with the wind coming out of the west at 12 mph, it actually feels more like 10°F. Basically, it's "stay inside and order Jerry’s Seafood" kind of weather.
The Immediate Outlook: Cold Snaps and Weekend Slush
If you’re planning your weekend, keep the boots by the door. Friday, January 16, looks like it'll be a bit of a tease with a high of 37°F and some "partly sunny" skies, but the real story starts Saturday. We’re looking at a messy mix of rain and snow. Temperatures are expected to climb to 49°F, which usually means whatever falls from the sky will turn into that gray, salty slush that coats every car on Route 197.
By Sunday, the thermometer drops back down to a high of 34°F. It’s going to be cloudy, and there’s a 20% chance of snow during the day. It isn't exactly a blizzard, but enough to make the 15-minute drive to the Bowie Town Center feel like a cross-country expedition.
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Next Week's Deep Freeze
Looking further out into the Bowie Maryland weather forecast, Monday and Tuesday are shaping up to be the real tests for your HVAC system. Monday, January 19—Martin Luther King Jr. Day—will be sunny but cold, with a low of 16°F. But Tuesday? Tuesday is the heavy hitter. We are looking at a high of only 25°F and a low of 15°F.
- Monday, Jan 19: Sunny, high 39°F, low 16°F.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: Sunny and brutal, high 25°F, low 15°F.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: Slightly better, high 42°F, low 24°F.
The humidity is going to bottom out at 22% early next week, so expect a lot of static electricity and dry skin. It’s that classic mid-Atlantic "dry cold" that makes the air feel sharp.
Why Bowie Weather Is So... Like This
Geographically, we’re in a weird spot. We’re caught between the urban heat island of D.C. and the slightly cooler, more rural stretches of Anne Arundel County. This often creates a "rain-snow line" that sits right on top of us. You’ll see a forecast for two inches of snow, but because we’re just a few miles too far east, we end up with three inches of cold rain instead.
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Historically, January is our coldest month. According to data from the National Weather Service and the Maryland State Archives, our average high is usually around 43°F. This year, we're trending a bit colder than average for the latter half of the month.
Interestingly, while everyone talks about the "big ones"—like the 2010 "Snowpocalypse" that dumped record amounts on the state—the reality of Bowie winters is usually a series of small, annoying events rather than one massive shutdown.
Staying Prepared with Alert Bowie 2.0
If you haven't signed up for the city's "Alert Bowie 2.0" system yet, you probably should. Honestly, it’s the most reliable way to know if trash pickup is delayed or if there's a localized water main break due to the freeze. They send out automated weather warnings for tornadoes and ice storms, which is way more helpful than just checking a generic app that might be pulling data from BWI or Reagan National.
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Actionable Steps for the Next 48 Hours
Don't wait until the Saturday slush hits to realize you're out of salt or that your wipers are streaking.
- Check the outdoor faucets: If you didn't disconnect your hoses during that mild stretch last week, do it now. A 15°F night is exactly when pipes decide to burst.
- Battery check: Extreme cold is a silent killer for car batteries. If yours is more than three or four years old, that Tuesday morning start might be a struggle.
- Humidity management: With the humidity dropping to 22% next week, fire up the humidifier. Your throat (and your wooden furniture) will thank you.
- Pet safety: When the "feels like" temp hits 10°F, keep the walks short. If it’s too cold for you to stand outside in a light jacket, it’s too cold for them to be out for long.
The Bowie Maryland weather forecast shows we are firmly in the grip of winter now. It’s not just about the snow; it’s about managing the fluctuations. Stay warm, keep the scrapers handy, and maybe keep an eye on those Saturday morning clouds before you head out for errands.