Full Notification

...NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS EXPECTED LATE FRIDAY NIGHT INTO EARLY SATURDAY... .A strong Arctic front will deliver heavy upslope snow showers and squalls, strong winds, and dangerously cold wind chills to the Alleghenies late Friday into the Saturday.

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 8 inches, with locally higher totals along western favored ridges (such as Backbone Mountain, Piney Mountain, and Keysers Ridge). Winds gusting as high as 50 to 60 mph that lead to significant blowing and drifting snow.

* WHERE...In Maryland, Eastern Garrett and Western Garrett Counties. In West Virginia, Western Grant and Western Pendleton Counties.

* WHEN...From 10 AM Friday to 7 AM EST Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening commute. Strong winds could cause tree damage. Travel could be treacherous and potentially life-threatening on I-68/US-40 west of Frostburg, MD, US-219 from the PA/MD Line south to WV Line, US-48 west of Moorefield, WV, and US-33/WV-28 west of Franklin, WV.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Expect roads to become impassable especially those in open areas due to blowing and drifting snow Friday night through Saturday. Wind chills will fall below zero Friday night with values as low as 20 to 30 degrees below zero from Saturday morning through Sunday morning. Frostbite and hypothermia can occur in these conditions in less than 30 minutes.

* AFFECTED AREAS: WESTERN GARRETT ... EASTERN GARRETT ... WESTERN GRANT ... WESTERN PENDLETON

Instructions:

Persons are urged to stay indoors until conditions improve. If you must go outside, dress in layers. Several layers of clothes will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Cover exposed skin to reduce your risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Gloves, a scarf, and a hat will keep you from losing your body heat. Persons should delay all travel if possible. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility. Make sure your car is winterized and in good working order.