Update at 10:25 p.m. — Arlington County government will be closed Monday. As a result, there will be no curbside trash pickup Monday; service will resume when the county government reopens. Arlington snow crews are also reverting back to “Phase 2” of the county’s snow plan, meaning plows will stop treating neighborhood streets and will resume treating primary and secondary arterial streets only.
Arlington County government offices, courts, & facilities are closed tomorrow Monday, 01-14-2019. If possible, stay off the roads while snow removal efforts continue throughout the day. pic.twitter.com/gf3lrIabKr
— Arlington Alert (@arlingtonalert) January 14, 2019
The extra burst of snow Sunday evening has caused problems at local airports. There are reports of extensive delays, extended waits on the tarmac and frustrated passengers at Reagan National Airport.
Another impact of the extra burst of snow Sunday evening: Arlington Transit Service.
“Due to inclement weather, ART will begin service on Monday, Jan. 14 at 8:00am with *Severe* service on ART 41, 51, 55 and 87,” ART said Sunday night. “Service on ART 77 will remain suspended until further notice.”
Update at 9:45 p.m. — The federal government — the parts of it that are not furloughed, at least — is closed Monday, according to the Office of Personnel Management. Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall is also closed. Among other closures, earlier today Arlington Public Schools announced that Monday will be a snow day, with all classes and activities cancelled.
Earlier: This weekend’s snowstorm isn’t done yet.
A prolonged period of steady snow is blanketing local roads after an afternoon lull that saw Arlington snow crews move their focus from arterial roads to neighborhood streets. The burst of snow has caused treacherous conditions in parts of the county and prompted a number of road closures.
“Many roads are becoming impassable due to weather conditions,” Arlington’s office of emergency management wrote shortly before 5:30 p.m. “Motorists are urged to stay off the roads to allow crews to treat the roadways. Conditions are expected to deteriorate as temperatures continue to drop.”
Around 7 p.m., all Metrobus service was suspended amid reports of buses getting stuck on hills. An hour and a half later, Arlington Transit announced that it was suspending service for the rest of the night.
Arlington County Police, Arlington’s Dept of Environmental Services and VDOT are all urging residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary tonight into Monday morning.
A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until midnight tonight.
…WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT… * WHAT…PERIODS OF SNOW. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 12 INCHES EXPECTED. * WHERE…THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PORTIONS OF CENTRAL MARYLAND AND NORTHERN AND NORTHWEST VIRGINIA. * WHEN…UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS…TRAVEL WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT DUE TO SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY ROADS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL, KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT, FOOD AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. THE LATEST ROAD CONDITIONS FOR THE STATE YOU ARE CALLING FROM CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING 5 1 1. &&
Arlington appears likely to clock in at around 10 inches of snow accumulation by the time the flakes stop falling, though as much as a foot remains possible.
Among other trouble spots in Arlington, photos and video sent to ARLnow show cars and buses getting stuck on the hills around Rosslyn and Courthouse. And even emergency responders are having trouble; ACFD engine 108 reported around 6:45 p.m. that it had gotten stuck on a hill in the area of Rock Spring Road and 32nd Road N. and needed a tow truck.
Power outages have also been reported in Arlington. As of 6:30 p.m. just over 1,000 Dominion customers were in the dark around the county, primarily in the Tara-Leeway Heights, High View Park and Westover neighborhoods.
Another 1-3 inches of snow is possible through midnight, the National Weather Service said in a Special Weather Statement this evening.
“Icy roads are possible as the snow melts on the roads then quickly refreezes,” the statement notes. “Conditions can deteriorate rapidly in winter weather situations. Be prepared for snow or ice covered roads. Slow down and allow extra time when traveling.”
From midnight through 5:30 p.m. today, troopers from Virginia State Police’s Fairfax Division responded to 68 crashes and 81 disabled vehicles around Northern Virginia. VSP responded to 324 crashes statewide so far today.
More via Twitter:
@capitalweather very slippery roads in Rosslyn! @ARLnowDOTcom pic.twitter.com/5tFgnuVO09
— Karim (@KarimBelaDC) January 13, 2019
ACPD officers are hard at work to keep you safe and assist @ArlingtonDES crews. You can help by staying off the roadways unless absolutely necessary. https://t.co/3c5suvlaGx
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) January 13, 2019
The sun has gone down and the moon has come up… temps and visibility are continuing to drop. Pls stay off the roads tonight, but plan now for your commute tmrw. Telework or delay trips until the sun rises and temperatures increase. Roads will be slippery. #safetyalways pic.twitter.com/QKvP9byVc7
— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) January 13, 2019
Again, last line in "Chinatown" (1974) – "Get off the street!" A thousand plows would not make roadways driveable for the next several hours. Stay home. #ArlWX https://t.co/GJjNXnhqK2
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) January 13, 2019
6p: When it will end? We still have a few more hours of snow. May take until 9 or 10p until it really starts tapering. This means some areas will hit double digit totals. Forecast radar shown here. Latest update: https://t.co/2kxkRLOuzm pic.twitter.com/jtRaAJUaMf
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) January 13, 2019
The snow is sticking around and reducing visibility at the airport. Ground crews are working hard to clear the runway & get everyone on their way. As always, we recommend double checking flight status with your airline prior to coming to the airport. Thanks for your patience! pic.twitter.com/MgUtDG1pup
— Reagan Airport (@Reagan_Airport) January 13, 2019