National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists have issued a winter storm watch for three northeastern states on Tuesday, advising people in some regions to avoid traveling once snow begins to fall later this week.
The weather alerts were issued by the Baltimore, Maryland, and the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, forecast offices, and included alerts for Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. The winter storm watch will go into effect on Thursday afternoon and remain in place until Saturday, when the storm moves out of the region.
“Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are possible with locally higher amounts along the ridgetops,” the Baltimore office warned. “Winds could gust as high as 50 mph.”
Traffic moving on I-66 West during a snow storm on March 5, 2015 in Manassas, Virginia. The first snow of the season is expected to hit part of Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland later this week.
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The alert from the Pittsburgh office warned of slightly weaker conditions, with snow accumulation exceeding 6 inches and winds gusting as high as 45 mph.
The winter storm watches advising people to delay all travel until the storm passes are in place for the following regions: Garrett County, Maryland; western Highland County, Virginia; and western Grant, western Mineral, western Pendleton, eastern Preston and Tucker counties, West Virginia.
“Persons should consider delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution,” the winter storm watch said.
The alert also suggested that people in the affected areas considering stocking their vehicle with a winter storm kit should they get stranded. The kit should include tire chains, booster cables, a flashlight, a shovel, blankets, and extra clothing.
“Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded,” the alert said.
At times, visibility could drop to below a quarter mile because of the falling and blowing snow.
“This may lead to whiteout conditions and may make travel difficult. The strong winds and weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages,” the alert said.
The winter storm watches were issued in relation to a snowstorm expected to hit the Great Lakes region this week. NWS meteorologist Anna Stuck told Newsweek that the strong area of low pressure moving into the area will cause the wintry conditions.
The worst snowfall is expected Thursday night into Friday morning, she said. It’ll be the first substantial snow of the season for that forecast area.
“I would encourage anybody to keep up today with the watches and potential warnings we might put out,” she said. “With it being the first, widespread snow event for that area, people might not be prepared.”
With up to 12 inches forecast for high-elevation areas, and locally higher amounts possible along the ridgetops, Stuck said, “That’s a lot of snow with it being the first snowfall of the season.”
