CUMBERLAND — Preparations continued throughout the area, where a massive storm was forecast to deliver up to 10 inches of snow and freezing temperatures to start the work week.
“This will be a plowable, significant snow,” said AccuWeather forecaster Bill Deger. “This is a large storm from the central U.S. that is moving into the eastern region.”
Snowfall is expected to begin in Allegany County Sunday night or early Monday, with the possibility of an accompanying mix of ice and sleet, according to the AccuWeather predictions.
The area is under a winter storm watch running from 10 p.m. Sunday until 1 a.m. Tuesday. The National Weather Service is calling for heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain with precipitation ranging from 5 to 10 inches.
The winter season’s projected first major snowstorm pressed the Allegany County Department of Emergency Services into its emergency readiness mode.
“We are monitoring the National Weather Service’s releases and doing phone conferences with the state emergency operations center,” Acting Director Roger Bennett said.
Billed as an “impactful” event by some forecasters, the looming storm provided a wake-up call to tri-state residents who have become unaccustomed to sizeable snowfalls in recent years.
“The bottom line is we haven’t seen a big snow event like this for some time. Drive slowly if you have to be out, keep a lot of distance between vehicles and if you are shoveling, take frequent breaks,” said Deger, who is in his 15th year as a meteorologist.
Deger said frigid air is also part of next week’s forecast.
“That’s the big story after the snow,” he said.
Daytime temperatures through the week were not expected to exceed the 20s, with overnight lows in the teens and possibly dipping into the single digits.
At the Maryland Department of Transportation, crews with the State Highway Administration treated state roads Friday as light snow — part of a separate storm system — fell in parts of the area.
“That actually serves as a pre-treatment for the roads with the approaching storm,” said SHA spokesperson Charlie Gischlar.
With crews working 12-hour shifts, SHA road workers were expected to be called into their shops early Sunday evening to begin plowing at a moment’s notice.
“The best thing I can tell your readers is get the best information before going out,” said Gishclar, calling attention to the website https://chart.maryland.gov.
“There you will get the latest information on road conditions, live camera shots through the state and any road incidents,” he said.
Checking vehicles for “road readiness” is also recommended. “Do the five-minute walking around, the penny test to check treads of your tires, check your lighting systems,” said Gischlar, who added staying home may be the best option. “But if you are out and for some reason your vehicle becomes disabled, pull off the road as far as you can and dial #77 for your nearest Maryland State Police barrack to get assistance.”
In neighboring West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice issued a State of Preparedness Thursday for all 55 counties. The declaration allows the state’s Emergency Management Division to position personnel and resources for quick response to any emergency that may develop.