Wind Warnings In Effect On Maryland Bridges March 15: MDTA

Wind warnings are in effect at several area bridges on Wednesday, March 15, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority, as much of the state is under a wind advisory from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Bay, Nice, Key, Hatem and Tydings bridges have been under wind warnings since Tuesday and the warning continues on Wednesday, transportation officials said.

During a wind warning, drivers of the following vehicles should use extra caution while crossing bridges: house trailers, box trailers, motorcycles, vehicles with roof-mount racks containing cargo or any other vehicle that may be subject to high winds.

Winds of 30 to 39 mph trigger wind warnings, transportation officials say.

The National Weather Service says the District of Columbia, city of Baltimore and Carroll, Baltimore, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Howard, Harford counties are included in the wind advisory. Cities in the advisory include: Washington, Eldersburg, Westminster, Reisterstown, Cockeysville, Baltimore, Bowie, Suitland-Silver Hill, Clinton, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Camp Springs, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, South Gate, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, Germantown, Damascus, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Columbia, Ellicott City, Jarrettsville, and Aberdeen.

The highest wind gusts are expected late this morning into this afternoon. Look for northwest winds at 20 to 30 mph with gusts around 45 to 50 mph. Strong winds may blow down limbs, trees, and power lines. Ice and snow covered limbs, trees and power lines are more susceptible to damage. Scattered power outages are expected, the weather service says.

Limited wind restrictions were lifted at the Bay Bridge overnight. Those occur when there are sustained wind speeds of 40-49 mph for a continuous period of 10 minutes or more; or wind gusts persistently exceed 40 mph over a period of 15 minutes. During a restricted period, house trailers, empty box trailers or any vehicle that, in the opinion of law-enforcement personnel, may not safely cross the bridge, will be prohibited from traveling the bridge. Drivers who are denied passage will be assisted with safely turning around.

See the latest updates on warnings from the Maryland Transportation Authority.

»Photo of Chesapeake Bay Bridge, courtesy of the MDTA