Baltimore, MD – Drivers in western Maryland have less than 10 hours before snow-covered mountain highways turn slick, with up to 6 inches set to bury stretches of I-68 by daybreak Wednesday.
According to the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington office, a Winter Weather Advisory takes effect at 10 p.m. Tuesday and runs until 10 a.m. Wednesday for the Allegheny highlands, including Garrett and western Allegany counties. Forecasters expect 3 to 6 inches of snow overnight in elevations near Oakland and along the I-68 corridor, with snowfall rates briefly reducing visibility below one mile.
Statewide, temperatures will drop into the upper 20s and low 30s by early Wednesday. Baltimore is expected to fall to 32 degrees, Westminster to 27, and Hagerstown to 28. Subfreezing readings in Cumberland near 29 degrees will allow snow to accumulate quickly on untreated roads and bridges.
Mountain travel faces the highest risk. I-68 near Keysers Ridge, U.S. 219 around Oakland, and secondary roads through Garrett County could become snow-covered before sunrise. Farther east along I-70 and I-81, drivers may encounter scattered rain or snow showers, especially north of the corridor and toward the Pennsylvania line.
Commuters in Baltimore and along I-95 should prepare for patchy black ice on overpasses where temperatures hover near freezing around 6 a.m. Wednesday. Maryland State Highway Administration crews are expected to treat priority routes overnight.
Residents in advisory areas should avoid non-essential travel, charge devices and allow extra commute time Wednesday morning. The advisory remains in effect until 10 a.m. Wednesday, and additional updates are possible if snowfall rates intensify overnight.
