Oakland, Maryland – Snow will begin covering mountain roads by 10 p.m., and wind gusts up to 45 mph could make travel treacherous across western Maryland, eastern West Virginia and Highland County, Virginia before the Wednesday morning commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Baltimore/Washington, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from 10 p.m. tonight until 10 a.m. Wednesday for Garrett County in Maryland, Western Highland County in Virginia, and Western Grant and Western Pendleton counties in West Virginia. Forecasters expect 3 to 5 inches of snow, with locally higher totals above 2,500 feet. Winds will gust between 35 and 45 mph, with even stronger gusts along the highest ridges above 3,500 feet.
A light glaze of ice could form along eastern-facing ridges Wednesday morning into midday as temperatures rise toward freezing, increasing the risk of slick bridges and untreated secondary roads. US-219, US-50 and mountain stretches of WV-42 and VA-84 could see reduced visibility and snow-covered pavement overnight.
Gusty winds may also snap tree limbs, leading to isolated power outages in exposed ridge communities.
Drivers should slow down, allow extra stopping distance and check 511 for real-time road conditions before traveling. Conditions improve after 10 a.m. Wednesday, but lingering slick spots may persist through late morning.
