Weather Alert in Maryland

Recent Locations: Baltimore, MD

Winter Storm Watch issued February 5 at 3:13AM EST until February 7 at 7:00AM EST by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC

AREAS AFFECTED: Western Garrett; Eastern Garrett; Western Grant; Western Pendleton

DESCRIPTION: ...NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS POSSIBLE 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 possible. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 8 inches possible with locally higher totals along western favored ridges (such as Backbone Mountain, Piney Mountain, and Keysers Ridge). Winds could gust as high as 60 mph could 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 Friday morning through Saturday morning. * IMPACTS...Whiteout conditions are possible and may make travel 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. The strong winds may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages. * 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 into the single digits to below zero Friday night with values as low as 20 to 30 below zero late Saturday afternoon. Frostbite and hypothermia can occur in these conditions in less than 30 minutes.

INSTRUCTION: 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.

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Weather Topic: What are Contrails?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Contrails

Next Topic: Cumulonimbus Clouds

A contrail is an artificial cloud, created by the passing of an aircraft.

Contrails form because water vapor in the exhaust of aircraft engines is suspended in the air under certain temperatures and humidity conditions. These contrails are called exhaust contrails.

Another type of contrail can form due to a temporary reduction in air pressure moving over the plane's surface, causing condensation. These are called aerodynamic contrails.

When you can see your breath on a cold day, it is also because of condensation. The reason contrails last longer than the condensation from your breath is because the water in contrails freezes into ice particles.

Next Topic: Cumulonimbus Clouds

Weather Topic: What are Cumulus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Cumulus Clouds

Next Topic: Drizzle

Cumulus clouds are fluffy and textured with rounded tops, and may have flat bottoms. The border of a cumulus cloud is clearly defined, and can have the appearance of cotton or cauliflower.

Cumulus clouds form at low altitudes (rarely above 2 km) but can grow very tall, becoming cumulus congestus and possibly the even taller cumulonimbus clouds. When cumulus clouds become taller, they have a greater chance of producing precipitation.

Next Topic: Drizzle