Cumberland, MD – A strong cold front sweeping through western Maryland today will bring an early taste of fall chill, with frost and possible freeze conditions expected over the next 48 hours.
According to the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington, rain showers will taper off this morning as much cooler air moves into the region behind the front. Frost Advisories are in effect tonight for the higher elevations of the Alleghenies, including areas near Oakland, Franklin, and Monterey.
By Thursday night, temperatures are forecast to dip even lower, prompting a Freeze Watch for portions of western Maryland, eastern West Virginia, and the northern Shenandoah Valley. Locations such as Cumberland, Romney, and Petersburg could see sub-freezing temperatures by early Friday morning.
Residents are urged to protect sensitive plants and outdoor plumbing, as widespread frost could damage vegetation not yet prepared for the season’s first freeze.
The weather service notes that this front marks one of the season’s first significant cold outbreaks, signaling a pattern shift toward cooler, drier conditions heading into the weekend.
