CUMBERLAND, Maryland — Near-blizzard conditions slammed the central Alleghenies Friday, burying Interstate 68 and United States Route 40 west of Frostburg under 6 to 8 inches of snow from late morning through 7 a.m. Saturday, as wind gusts surged to 50 to 60 miles per hour, making travel dangerous and potentially life-threatening.
The National Weather Service office serving Baltimore and Washington kept a Winter Storm Warning in effect from 10 a.m. Friday through 7 a.m. Saturday for eastern and western Garrett counties in Maryland, along with western Grant and western Pendleton counties in West Virginia. Forecasters warned that intense upslope snow showers and squalls would drive visibilities below one-quarter mile, especially along exposed ridges.
The worst conditions targeted mountain corridors. Interstate 68 and United States Route 40 deteriorated rapidly from LaVale through Frostburg and Keysers Ridge, where blowing snow repeatedly refilled plowed lanes. Along United States Route 219, hazardous travel stretched from the Pennsylvania line south toward the West Virginia line, affecting Grantsville, Accident, and Oakland. Farther south, United States Route 48 west of Moorefield and United States Route 33 and West Virginia Route 28 west of Franklin faced drifting snow and sudden whiteouts.
Localized snow totals climbed higher along wind-favored ridges, including Backbone Mountain, Piney Mountain, and Keysers Ridge, where open terrain allowed extreme gusts to pile snow into deep drifts. Bridges and overpasses iced quickly as temperatures plunged behind an Arctic front.
Officials urged residents to stay off roads, warning that some routes could become impassable Friday night into early Saturday. Strong winds also increased the risk of downed trees and power outages across ridge communities.
The warning remains in effect until 7 a.m. Saturday. Winds ease gradually after daybreak, but drifted snow and blocked roadways may keep travel hazardous well into Saturday morning before conditions slowly improve.
