Ice Storm — Garrett, Maryland

2019-12-01 · Garrett, Maryland

Event narrative

Garrett County Emergency Management reported over a quarter inch of ice accretion on trees, with ice still accumulating as of the report at 12:15 PM. The EM also reported that the freezing rain and fog were contributing factors to 29 separate collisions involving 58 cars. The crashes backed up traffic for 5 to 6 miles, with the interstate closed for 4 hours, between 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM. Ten people were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Wider weather episode

Low pressure crossed from the Upper Midwest into the Great Lakes on December 1st. This pulled a warm front across the Upper Ohio Valley region, generating rain across much of the region. Due to easterly upsloping wind, cold low-level air was able to remain trapped along east-facing slopes of Garrett County, leading to a prolonged period of freezing rain. Over a quarter inch of ice accretion occurred on trees. Dense fog combined with the freezing rain to create conditions which contributed to many traffic accidents in the county, resulting in a number of injuries.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 869508. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.