Preparations under way throughout region
From Staff Reports
The Cumberland Times-News Sat Dec 11, 2010, 08:01 AM EST
— CUMBERLAND — Winter’s early onslaught in Western Maryland is expected to continue this weekend with another winter storm predicted by early Sunday.
“It’s not going to be a paralyzing storm but the winds and the cold behind the initial system means business,” said Accuweather meteorologist Tom Kines at State College, Pa., Friday afternoon.
“Saturday looks to be a great day with sunshine and temperatures into the 40s for Cumberland, but then Saturday night into Sunday it will begin as snow or freezing rain until the front gets through later Sunday morning,” said Kines.
As for snow accumulation, Cumberland could get an inch, and several inches could fall in areas west of the city. “You are going to deal with a lot of snow showers Sunday night and for a prolonged period through Tuesday. I wouldn’t be surprised if areas of Western Maryland have up to a foot of snow on the ground by the time it’s finished,” he said.
The National Weather Service predicted a major storm system will affect the region Saturday night and into Sunday with mixed precipitation and possible snow accumulation. Widespread lake effect snow showers were also expected along with brisk northwest winds and cold temperatures that could push wind-chill readings to the minus 10 degrees range Monday night and Tuesday.
Daytime temperatures are not expected above 20 degrees.
For extreme Western Maryland, rain or freezing rain is expected after midnight Saturday and continuing throughout the day before turning to snow showers Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service. The forecast was posted Friday at noon.
Storm preparations were under way throughout the region, including Garrett County, where more than a foot-and-a-half of snow fell at Keysers Ridge over a four-day period ending Wednesday.
At the same time, up to 2 feet of snow was reported in the higher elevations of West Virginia.
“Tomorrow, SHA will begin to ‘pretreat’ interstates in western Allegany and Garrett counties if pavement conditions warrant,” said Maryland State Highway Administration spokesman Chuck Gischlar. “If the pavement is wet or the forecast changes to a mostly rainy start, then pretreating is not an option as it will run off of the highway.
“When SHA pretreats, we will use a combination of 85 percent salt brine/15 percent sugar beet molasses mixture. The material is sprayed onto the pavement and allowed to dry, which prevents snow and ice from initially bonding to the pavement and allowing SHA crews to remain ahead of the storm,” he said.
Wet or snow/ice covered roadways are not ideal and motorists should slow down and remain safely behind SHA crews. Posted speed limits apply to ideal weather conditions.
For latest information on road conditions, including access to live traffic cameras, log on to www.roads.maryland.gov and click the CHART icon.
Winter officially begins Dec. 21.
