Update at 5:45 p.m. — After a period of heavy snow, the transition to sleet and freezing rain is underway, potentially making travel even more hazardous.
There have been several reports of crashes around Arlington, including a crash that felled a county light pole and closed southbound George Mason Drive near S. Frederick Street. There are also reports of disabled vehicles partially blocking traffic, including a Mercedes reportedly stuck on Route 50 at Fillmore Street.
Despite the weather, some local businesses remained open tonight, including William Jeffrey’s Tavern and Caspi Restaurant along Columbia Pike, where customers could be seen inside eating and drinking while watching today’s playoff football games.
Conditions getting significantly worse with this heavy round of snow. Police have shut down SB George Mason in the area.
From earlier: https://t.co/PMiiRMpJdo https://t.co/A9mPV5fzlx
— Arlington Now (@ARLnowDOTcom) January 16, 2022
540p: after about 1-3”, snow is over mostly done from DC south with sleet line (in yellow) pushing north. Nasty sleet and freezing rain next few hours. Update: https://t.co/m9JIhLowt7 pic.twitter.com/sQiYxmCeoC
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) January 16, 2022
Earlier: Roads across Arlington are largely snow-covered — or at least slushy, in the case of major routes — despite the work of county and state crews.
Driving conditions are difficult, and likely to get worse as heavier snow is headed north, while sleet and freezing rain is expected to start falling around sunset. Authorities are urging those who don’t need to drive to stay inside.
2:25pm CST #SPC_MD 0079 , #pawx #mdwx #dcwx #vawx #wvwx, https://t.co/uiLxThzCHE pic.twitter.com/jth1YJd8uD
— NWS Storm Prediction Center (@NWSSPC) January 16, 2022
Arlington Transit buses are currently operating on a severe service schedule. Due to the expected volume of calls, Arlington County police have been told to handle crashes through forms given to drivers rather than a more involved reporting process.
Arlington’s snow response is currently in Phase 2, meaning that crews are focusing only on primary and secondary routes, not neighborhood streets.
Phase 2 of County storm response. For safety and effectiveness, plan to stay off roads until hours after the winter weather event has passed. #ArlWX https://t.co/ck0wQbRHax pic.twitter.com/im4RYHYkEB
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) January 16, 2022
More scenes from around town via social media, below.
Some snowy scenes around Arlington a few minutes ago. @capitalweather @WTOPtraffic @ARLnowDOTcom @hhowardWTOP @VaDOTNOVA @suepalkafox5dc #snow #weather #vatraffic #traffic #395cam #STATcam pic.twitter.com/zMfo5kXNzC
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) January 16, 2022
Here's a look at the snow coming down along I-66, near Westover (via staff photographer Jay Westcott) pic.twitter.com/5o1EY1zjBn
— Arlington Now (@ARLnowDOTcom) January 16, 2022
Matt Blitz contributed to this report