First Snowfall Of The Season Could Hit Western Maryland Tuesday

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The first snowfall of the season could hit Western Maryland on Tuesday, the National Weather Service said.

Forecasts call for snow showers in the Potomac Highlands and neighboring Garrett County, Maryland, starting at 3 a.m.

Chance of precipitation is 60% and the low temperature is expected to be around 33 degrees. Snow showers could continue into the morning, and the western part of the county could see accumulations of up to 2 inches on grassy surfaces, the National Weather Service said.

This would mark the first "upslope snowfall event" of the season, according to the National Weather Service.

As WJZ meteorologist Chelsea Ingram explained: "Simply put, when air flow encounters mountains, it cannot flow through the mountain, so the air is forced upward. The air cools as it rises. Any moisture within the air column will then condense into clouds and precipitation. This process is known as upslope precipitation."

In:
• Garrett County
• Maryland
• National Weather Service