Oakland, Maryland – Residents across the higher elevations of western Maryland and the central Appalachians are facing a dangerous combination of powerful winds and life-threatening cold beginning late Friday night and lasting through the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington office, a High Wind Watch is in effect from late Friday night through Saturday evening, while an Extreme Cold Warning is set from early Saturday morning through Sunday morning for parts of western Maryland, the Virginia Blue Ridge, and eastern West Virginia. Wind gusts could reach 60 to 65 mph, with wind chills dropping to between 20 and 30 degrees below zero in the coldest locations.
Western Maryland counties including Garrett and Allegany are expected to see the harshest conditions. Exposed ridge tops and valleys could experience near-whiteout travel conditions at times, with blowing snow and falling temperatures making roads treacherous. Downed trees and power lines could lead to prolonged outages, especially in rural areas.
The Blue Ridge of Virginia and eastern portions of West Virginia face similar risks, with frostbite possible on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. Officials urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel, keep pets indoors, and check on elderly neighbors.
The extreme cold is expected to persist into Sunday morning, and additional warnings or extensions remain possible as the system continues to evolve.
