Baltimore, Maryland – A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for parts of western Maryland and eastern West Virginia as a strong Arctic front threatens heavy snow, powerful winds, and dangerous cold from Friday morning through Saturday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Baltimore/Washington, 6 to 8 inches of snow are possible across Eastern and Western Garrett counties in Maryland, as well as western Grant and western Pendleton counties in West Virginia. Locally higher totals are possible along western-facing ridges, including Backbone Mountain, Piney Mountain, and Keysers Ridge.
Forecasters warn that winds could gust up to 60 miles per hour, creating significant blowing and drifting snow. These conditions may lead to near-blizzard or whiteout conditions, especially late Friday night into early Saturday.
Travel impacts could be severe. Roads at highest risk include Interstate 68 and U.S. Route 40 west of Frostburg, U.S. Route 219 from the Pennsylvania–Maryland line south to the West Virginia border, U.S. Route 48 west of Moorefield, and U.S. Route 33 and West Virginia Route 28 west of Franklin. Officials say travel may become treacherous or potentially life-threatening during peak conditions.
Strong winds may also down power lines, leading to sporadic power outages across the watch area.
In addition to snow and wind, dangerously cold air will move in behind the front. Wind chills are expected to fall into the single digits to below zero Friday night, with values as low as 20 to 30 degrees below zero possible late Saturday afternoon. At those levels, frostbite and hypothermia can occur in less than 30 minutes.
Residents are urged to stay indoors if possible, delay travel, and prepare for rapidly deteriorating conditions.
