Baltimore, Maryland — A surge of Arctic air will bring dangerously cold and potentially life-threatening conditions to much of the Mid-Atlantic this weekend as Extreme Cold Warnings expand across Maryland, northern Virginia, eastern West Virginia, and the Shenandoah Valley.
According to the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington, wind chills will plunge to -5°F to -15°F across lower elevations, with mountain locations experiencing extreme wind chills between -20°F and -40°F. These conditions are expected to begin early Saturday morning around 4 AM and persist through 10 AM Sunday, following the passage of a strong Arctic cold front.
Communities along major travel corridors such as Interstate 95, I-70, I-81, and I-66 will experience bitter cold combined with gusty winds, creating hazardous conditions for anyone outdoors. Exposed skin can develop frostbite in as little as 30 minutes, and prolonged exposure significantly increases the risk of hypothermia, especially for vulnerable populations.
In addition to health risks, the extreme cold may lead to frozen pipes, strain on heating systems, and isolated infrastructure issues. Motorists traveling overnight or early morning hours should be prepared for vehicles struggling to start and emergency situations becoming more dangerous due to the cold.
Residents are urged to limit outdoor exposure, dress in multiple insulating layers, and ensure hats, gloves, and face coverings are worn if travel is unavoidable. Pets should be brought indoors, and neighbors should check on elderly or medically vulnerable individuals.
The National Weather Service emphasizes that this is not typical winter cold and should be treated as a serious weather emergency. Stay informed through official forecasts and safety guidance at weather.gov/lwx and weather.gov/safety/cold as conditions evolve through the weekend.
