LaVale, Md. – Snow-covered highways and wind gusts up to 50 mph are creating near-whiteout conditions across western Maryland and the central Appalachians early Monday, threatening both the morning and evening commutes.
According to the National Weather Service in Baltimore/Washington, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 10 a.m. Monday for Cecil, Northern Baltimore, Northwest Harford and Southeast Harford counties, where up to 2 additional inches of snow and wind gusts near 40 mph are expected. Farther west, the warning continues until midnight Monday for Garrett County in Maryland, Western Highland County in Virginia, and Western Grant and Pendleton counties in West Virginia. Those areas could see 3 to 7 more inches of snow, with the highest totals above 3,000 feet.
In Western Maryland, I-68 and U.S. 40 west of LaVale are seeing rapidly changing visibility as blowing snow drops sightlines below a quarter mile. Similar conditions are reported along U.S. 48 west of Moorefield, U.S. 33 and WV-28 near Franklin, and U.S. 250 west of Monterey. Strong northwest winds may down tree limbs and power lines, raising the risk of scattered outages.
Drivers should delay nonessential travel, slow down on untreated roads and check 511 for real-time conditions. Warnings remain in effect through 10 a.m. in northeastern Maryland and through midnight in the mountains, with additional advisories possible if bands redevelop later today.
