Pasadena, Maryland, USA – Video filmed by X user Tim Grooms, a Maryland resident, shows icy conditions on the Chesapeake Bay at Downs Park during a prolonged cold spell.

The footage was recorded on February 1, 2026. The accompanying text reads, “Me just enjoying the Chesapeake Bay this fine morning,” reflecting the frigid conditions.

The scene shows slushy ice and floating fragments covering the bay beneath overcast skies. A small dark waterbird moves through the partially frozen water, swimming and dipping its head between ice patches, with a hazy shoreline in the background.

According to reports, the footage corresponds with an ongoing deep freeze across Maryland and the Delmarva Peninsula. Subzero wind chills and single-digit temperatures pushed ice coverage on the Chesapeake Bay to about 12.42 percent as of January 28, 2026. Many tributaries and harbors were fully frozen, with ice continuing to expand southward.

The cold followed record snowfall earlier in the month and prompted winter weather advisories and ice safety warnings from state authorities. Officials recommended at least four inches of ice thickness for outdoor activities, while ice disrupted waterways and transportation in areas such as Tangier Sound.

The frigid spell also coincided with events like the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park. Forecasts indicated the freeze would persist through the weekend before a slight warmup. Local observations compared the bay’s appearance to scenes from “The Day After Tomorrow,” with low tides increasing risks for boats in areas such as Stony Creek.

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