CUMBERLAND — Mountain Maryland and the Potomac Highlands experienced the first dose of winter weather Tuesday as a wintry mix of precipitation began to fall overnight.
The storm forced school delays and cancellations throughout the area and snow emergency plans were in effect in Allegany and Garrett counties.
“Around 4 or 5 in the morning the Cumberland area can expect the first flakes to arrive and snow could pick up through the morning in the ridge tops and mountains,” said meteorologist Alex DaSilva, a five-year forecaster and native of Rhode Island.
The tri-state’s premier winter blast coincides with the outset of meteorological winter —December, January and February — a few weeks ahead of the Dec. 21 official start of winter.
The wintry mix prompted a winter weather advisory by the National Weather Service beginning, which remains in effect until 1 p.m.
“Motorists are urged to use caution during the morning commute but the good news is the winds will be light and everything clears out by mid-day tomorrow,” DaSilva said.
A cold air front locked in at the Great Lakes and Midwest will usher in much-needed moisture. Travel conditions are available for the state you are calling from by calling 511.
“We had 1.56 inches of precipitation in November, compared to the month’s average of 2.58 inches,” said Tim Thomas, National Weather Service observer in Cumberland. “We haven’t been in the plus column on average precipitation for the month since July, and that was only by one-tenth of an inch.”
Daytime temperatures Tuesday for the Cumberland area were expected in the upper 30s ahead of colder conditions and a forecasted low of 25 degrees Tuesday night.
“You may see temperatures near 40 a couple days before an overnight low of 16 expected Friday night,” said DaSolva.
Thomas noted that winter daylight hours begin to extend after Jan. 1. “We pick up about a minute a day,” he said.