Washington, DC – While the core of this winter storm will stay west of the immediate DMV, dangerous travel conditions developing late Friday could significantly impact anyone heading toward western Maryland or West Virginia from the Washington region.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, Winter Storm Warnings are in effect from Friday morning through early Saturday across large portions of central, northern, and eastern West Virginia. Snow totals of 4 to 8 inches are expected in Upshur, Barbour, Nicholas, Webster, Pocahontas, and Randolph counties, with locally higher amounts along western-facing ridges. Wind gusts in the highest elevations could reach 45 to 55 mph, leading to blowing snow and sharply reduced visibility.
Farther south, Fayette and Raleigh counties, including Beckley and Oak Hill, are also under a Winter Storm Warning with snowfall totals of 3 to 5 inches and gusty winds. Roads may quickly become snow-covered, especially during the Friday evening commute, with hazardous conditions lingering overnight into early Saturday.
For the DMV, the primary concern centers on westbound travel. Drivers using I-68 toward Garrett County, or connecting routes into I-79 and U.S. 219, could encounter rapidly deteriorating conditions, including near-whiteout visibility in higher terrain. These impacts may affect freight movement, ski traffic, and anyone traveling west for the weekend.
Officials urge delaying non-essential travel into the mountains, monitoring road conditions through 511 services, and preparing for sudden visibility drops. Conditions are expected to gradually improve later Saturday, but extreme cold will linger across the region into Sunday.
