Strong winds that reached 61 mph and plunging temperatures brought a winter wake-up call to Central Maryland on Monday, leaving thousands without power as the city moved to activate its winter shelters.

There also is a slight chance of snow on New Year’s Eve, forecasters said.

Wind gusts in the Baltimore metro area lingered around 50 mph Monday, with a maximum of 61 mph around 3 p.m., said Daniel Hofmann, a meteorologist for the Baltimore/Washington office of the National Weather Service.

Residents of northwest Frederick County really felt the frigid air as wind gusts hit 69 mph, Hofmann said.

This was all set in motion by a cold front from the west that passed through the Baltimore region, causing temperatures to significantly drop after a mild Monday morning.

High winds made outdoor conditions feel even colder, like in the 20s or 10s, said Chris Strong, an NWS meteorologist.

The weather service issued a wind advisory for much of Central Maryland, including Baltimore City and parts of Montgomery, Howard, Harford and Baltimore counties. The advisory was to remain in effect until 1 a.m. Tuesday.

Baltimore City’s Office of Emergency Management urged drivers to use caution when traveling, limit time outdoors and dress in warm layers.

Gusty winds can result in power outages, knock down trees and blow around unsecured objects.

In South Baltimore, gale-force winds blew a 950-foot military cargo ship off its moorings on Monday afternoon.

Tugboats were dispatched around 3 p.m. after the 62,000-ton USNS Charlton became unmoored near Locust Point. The ship was under control, though tugs stayed to help if needed.

As of 9:30 p.m. Monday, more than 8,000 Baltimore Gas and Electric customers were without power, according to spokesperson Nicholas Alexopulos. The hardest-hit areas were Anne Arundel, Howard and Baltimore counties. He said the main culprit was wind that knocked down trees and tree limbs onto power lines.

Temperatures on Tuesday were expected to drop as low as 27 degrees and reach a high near 35, weather officials said.

The Baltimore City Health Department issued a Code Blue Extreme Cold Alert. Meanwhile, the Mayor’s Office of Homelessness Services issued a Code Purple winter shelter activation from Monday at 4 p.m. to Thursday at 9 a.m.

Officials advised area residents to stay bundled up this week. Weather service officials issued a gale warning until 6 p.m. Tuesday, predicting westerly winds of 20 to 30 knots and gusts of up to 45 knots that could cause hazardous waves and capsize or damage vessels.

Some snowflakes in the Baltimore region are possible on New Year’s Eve, though there’s only a 20% chance, Strong said. New Year’s Day is expected to be partly sunny with a high near 35 and a low around 22.