Allegheny Mountains – Near-blizzard conditions are creating dangerous and potentially life-threatening travel across the Alleghenies as a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect into early Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service in Baltimore/Washington, a Winter Storm Warning continues until 7 a.m. EST Saturday for Eastern and Western Garrett counties in Maryland and Western Grant and Western Pendleton counties in West Virginia. Forecasters expect 4 to 8 inches of snow, with locally higher totals along western-facing ridges such as Backbone Mountain, Piney Mountain, and Keysers Ridge.
A strong Arctic front is producing heavy upslope snow showers and snow squalls, combined with wind gusts between 50 and 60 miles per hour. These winds are expected to cause significant blowing and drifting snow, with visibility dropping below one-quarter mile at times, meeting near-blizzard criteria.
Travel conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly, with officials warning that roads may become impassable, especially in open and higher-elevation areas. The most dangerous travel impacts are expected along Interstate 68 and U.S. Route 40 west of Frostburg, Maryland; U.S. Route 219 from the Pennsylvania–Maryland line south to the West Virginia line; U.S. Route 48 west of Moorefield, West Virginia; and U.S. Route 33/WV-28 west of Franklin, West Virginia.
Bridges and overpasses are especially prone to icing, while strong winds may down tree limbs and power lines, leading to isolated power outages. Emergency officials note that conditions could become treacherous very quickly, even for experienced winter drivers.
Residents are strongly urged to remain indoors until conditions improve. Anyone who must travel should ensure vehicles are winterized, carry emergency supplies, and be prepared for sudden whiteout conditions.
For mountain residents, truck drivers, and early-morning commuters, the most severe conditions are expected overnight through early Saturday morning, with gradual improvement possible after sunrise.
