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Maryland Thanksgiving Travel: Baltimore, MD Whiteout Dangers
Frederick, MD – Imagine traveling west on Interstate 70 for Thanksgiving, heading toward Hager…
By Lena Wood · 2026-11-14T10:57:31.983Z
Frederick, MD – Imagine traveling west on Interstate 70 for Thanksgiving, heading toward Hagerstown as holiday traffic moves steadily through Maryland's rolling hills. Suddenly, a wall of blowing snow sweeps across the highway. Trucks and cars ahead begin disappearing, brake lights fade into the whiteout and a routine holiday drive turns dangerous within moments. It's the kind of winter weather scenario Maryland motorists should prepare for as Thanksgiving approaches Thursday, Nov. 26.
According to the National Weather Service NWS , these intense bursts of snowfall, officially known as snow squalls and sometimes described as "micro blizzards," can produce gusty winds, near zero visibility and rapidly deteriorating road conditions.
Unlike prolonged winter storms, snow squalls can develop quickly, leaving drivers little time to react.
Maryland Highways Where Sudden Whiteouts Are a Concern Interstate 70, connecting Baltimore, Frederick and Hagerstown, is a major Thanksgiving travel corridor where sudden winter weather can create hazardous driving conditions.
Interstate 68 through Cumberland and Frostburg, Interstate 81 near Hagerstown, Interstate 270 between Frederick and the Washington metropolitan area, and Interstate 95 between Baltimore and Washington also face winter driving risks.
Motorists traveling through Frederick, Washington, Allegany, Garrett and Carroll counties should monitor changing forecasts, particularly when snow showers and gusty winds are possible.
Higher elevations in western Maryland, including the Appalachian Mountains and areas near Keysers Ridge, can experience rapidly changing visibility and slippery pavement.
What Happens When a Snow Squall Warning Is Issued? The NWS issues Snow Squall Warnings when dangerous snow squalls are occurring or imminent.
Warnings typically last 30 to 60 minutes and may trigger Wireless Emergency Alerts on compatible mobile phones.
Sudden whiteouts at interstate speeds can increase the risk of multivehicle crashes, especially when motorists brake abruptly or follow too closely.
What Thanksgiving Travelers Should Do If a Snow Squall Warning is issued, the safest option is to delay travel until conditions improve .
Drivers already traveling should gradually reduce speed, increase following distance, activate low beam headlights and avoid sudden braking.
If visibility deteriorates, safely exit the highway when possible rather than stopping in an active travel lane.
Before departing, motorists should check Maryland 511 for highway conditions and NWS Baltimore/Washington or NWS Pittsburgh for official forecasts and warnings covering different portions of Maryland.
This is a Thanksgiving travel preparedness reminder, not a prediction that snow squalls will strike Maryland during the holiday. Recognizing how quickly dangerous winter conditions can develop could help motorists make safer travel decisions as Thanksgiving approaches.