Oakland, Maryland – Sudden 50 mph wind gusts overnight could knock down tree limbs and make mountain travel dangerous across western Maryland and nearby Appalachian regions before sunrise Friday.
According to the National Weather Service in Baltimore/Washington, a Wind Advisory takes effect at 11 p.m. tonight and continues until 5 a.m. Friday for Garrett County in Maryland and Grant County in West Virginia. West winds will range from 15 to 25 mph, with stronger gusts reaching up to 50 mph.
In higher elevations and exposed ridgelines near Oakland and along U.S. Route 219, drivers—especially those in trucks, vans, and SUVs—could face sudden crosswinds capable of pushing vehicles off course. Loose outdoor items may be blown around, and weakened tree limbs could fall onto roadways or power lines, increasing the risk of scattered outages.
Farther south, the advisory extends through 7 a.m. Friday for Highland County, Virginia, and Pendleton County, West Virginia, where similar wind speeds are expected during the early morning commute window.
Residents should secure outdoor objects ahead of the wind surge and avoid overnight travel through mountain passes if possible. Conditions are expected to ease after sunrise Friday, though additional advisories may follow if winds persist.
