Baltimore, MD – Residents across the higher elevations of the Mid-Atlantic are being warned to prepare for dangerously cold conditions tonight as an Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect through Sunday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington, wind chills are expected to range from 8 to 16 degrees below zero in valleys, with even more severe conditions on mountain ridges where wind chills could drop between 15 and 30 degrees below zero. The warning is in effect from 7 p.m. Saturday until 1 p.m. Sunday.
The affected area includes western Maryland (Allegany and Garrett counties), portions of western and central Virginia including the Blue Ridge and Highland regions, and eastern West Virginia, including parts of Grant, Mineral, and Pendleton counties.
Weather officials warn that frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes, and prolonged exposure may lead to hypothermia, especially in windy or elevated areas where conditions are more extreme.
Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary outdoor activity, dress in multiple insulating layers, and cover exposed skin with hats, gloves, and face coverings if travel is unavoidable. Pets should be kept indoors, and livestock or outdoor animals should have access to warm, dry shelter and unfrozen water.
Emergency officials also encourage residents to check on elderly neighbors, family members, and anyone without reliable heat, as overnight lows combined with strong winds may increase health risks. Officials stress the importance of safe heating practices, warning residents not to use grills or generators indoors due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Temperatures are expected to gradually improve Sunday afternoon, but officials caution that bitter cold may linger longer along ridges and higher elevations.
