5 MD Bridges Affected By Wind Advisories, 55 MPH Gusts Ahead

Keep both hands on the wheel if you're driving, secure the garbage can and patio furniture and make sure you are bundled up for the chill. Gusty winds are set to continue and get stronger on Wednesday, Nov. 28, in the Baltimore-Washington area.

Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George's, Queen Anne's, Talbot and Washington counties and Baltimore City are under a wind advisory on Wednesday.

It calls for west winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts of 50 to 55 mph.

The wind advisory will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28.

Unsecured objects may blow around; trees, branches and power lines may fall; and scattered power outages are expected, the advisory states.

The Key Bridge on Interstate 695 is under a limited restriction. Limited wind restrictions mean winds are greater than 40 mph and the following are prohibited from crossing: house trailers, empty box trailers or any vehicle that law enforcement officials think may not safely cross the bridge. Drivers denied passage will be assisted with turning around.

Wind warnings are in effect on the Bay, Hatem, Nice and Tydings bridges, the Maryland Transportation Authority reported at approximately 9:40 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28.

Winds of 30 to 39 mph trigger wind warnings, transportation officials say. Drivers of the following vehicles should use extra caution while crossing bridges during a wind warning: house trailers, box trailers, motorcycles, vehicles with roof-mount racks containing cargo or any other vehicle that may be subject to high winds.

State transportation officials advise keeping both hands on the wheel and slowing down during periods of strong winds.

The wind chill will be 28 degrees at noon in Baltimore on Wednesday, Nov. 28, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service issues a wind advisory when winds of 45 to 55 mph are expected that could make driving challenging, particularly for those in high-profile vehicles.

620am: Slight expansion to the Wind Advisory (tan shading, until 4 PM) due to upstream gusts/pressure rise observations. Wind gusts of 45 to 55 MPH may cause some tree damage and isolated power outages, as well as make driving difficult (especially for higher profile vehicles). pic.twitter.com/4MllDi8qnF
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) November 28, 2018

The District of Columbia as well as parts of northern Virginia are under the advisory too.

A gale warning is also in effect on the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28. Under a gale warning, winds are 34 to 47 knots and recreational boaters should seek safe harbor.

A small craft advisory has been issued as well, effective from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28, to 6 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29, meaning boaters should avoid navigating smaller vessels.

Image via Shutterstock.