Oakland, Maryland – Dangerous, potentially life-threatening winter weather is expected to intensify across the Allegheny Highlands beginning Friday, with heavy snow, powerful winds, and extreme cold creating near-blizzard conditions into early Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington office, a Winter Storm Warning is now in effect from Friday morning through early Saturday for Garrett County in Maryland and western Grant and Pendleton counties in West Virginia. Snow accumulations of 6 to 8 inches are expected, with locally higher totals along western-facing ridges such as Backbone Mountain, Piney Mountain, and Keysers Ridge. Wind gusts between 50 and 60 mph will lead to intense blowing and drifting snow.
Travel conditions are expected to rapidly deteriorate Friday afternoon and evening. Visibility may drop below a quarter mile at times, and roads could become impassable, especially in open and exposed areas. The most dangerous travel corridors include I-68 and U.S. 40 west of Frostburg, U.S. 219 from the Pennsylvania line southward, U.S. 48 west of Moorefield, and U.S. 33/WV-28 west of Franklin.
Behind the Arctic front, temperatures will plunge sharply. Wind chills are expected to fall below zero Friday night, dropping to as low as 20 to 30 degrees below zero from Saturday morning through Sunday morning. Frostbite and hypothermia can occur in under 30 minutes in these conditions.
Residents are urged to avoid all unnecessary travel, remain indoors if possible, and prepare for power disruptions. Conditions are expected to slowly improve later Saturday, but extreme cold may persist into Sunday, and additional advisories could follow.
