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BREAKING NEWS — Bus Service Ending Early, Standstill on I-66, Widespread Power Outages

By ARLnow.com

Update at 10:00 p.m. — Traffic started moving again on I-66 for a few minutes, but is now back at a standstill.

Update at 10:00 p.m. — There are now more than 13,400 Dominion customers without power in Arlington.

Heavy, wet snow is continuing to fall in the area, knocking down trees and power lines and grinding traffic to a halt.

As a result of road conditions, Arlington Transit has announced that it will be discontinuing ART bus service at 9:00 p.m. Meanwhile, Metrobus service will end at 9:30 p.m.

Traffic on westbound I-66 has been at a standstill from Rosslyn to Spout Run for at least one three hours. Hundreds of motorists are stranded in the snow. Many have turned off their car to save gas.

More than 10,000 Dominion customers are without power in Arlington. On Twitter, residents of nearly every Arlington zip code have reported flickering lights.

Dozens of reports of downed trees and power lines are coming in. Many are reporting transformers and trees on fire. One tree in the area of Marymount University fell on a house, but no injuries were reported.

Arlington County reports that it has 45 plows out clearing roads. Crews will be working throughout the night, the county says.

Snowy Scenes Along Columbia Pike

By ARLnow.com

The scene along Columbia Pike tonight was much like the scene elsewhere in Arlington.

Cars were getting stuck on the snowy, hilly section of the Pike near Washington Boulevard. Traffic was backed up before the hill as a result. On Washington Boulevard, traffic was at a standstill.

Residents were streaming up the sidewalks of the Pike from the Pentagon City area. Some were stopping to help push stranded cars up the street. Others were talking on their phones, trying to provide directions to loved ones who were stuck in traffic.

Snow-covered tree branches hung low over sidewalks, threatening to snap at any moment.

Through it all, though, people remained friendly and willing to help their fellow man. In a rainstorm, you might be tempted to push someone out of the way to get where you’re going faster. During snow storms, it seems, a better side of humanity shines through.

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Traffic Slows to a Crawl as Snow Covers Roads

By ARLnow.com

Update at 7:25 p.m. — A downed tree has completely blocked westbound Lee Highway near HB Woodlawn. Separately, a tow truck is on the way to assist a stranded ambulance on Washington Boulevard near the Navy Annex.

Update at 7:00 p.m. — Downed power lines and falling tree limbs are being reported throughout the area. Dominion is reporting more than 1,200 customers without power in Arlington. Dominion spokeswoman Le-Ha Anderson tells WUSA 9 that it may take more time than usual to restore power due to gridlock on local streets and highways.

Update at 6:10 p.m. — Traffic is at a dead stop on westbound I-66 from the District to Spout Run.

Update at 5:40 pm. — Stranded vehicles are being reported on Glebe Road near Chain Bridge and at Washington Boulevard and I-395.

Update at 5:30 p.m. — Treacherous conditions are reported on parts of Carlin Springs Road and Patrick Henry Drive. Via a traffic camera (above) we witnessed a car slide down Carlin Springs near Route 50 and nearly strike a pole. The car was eventually able to reverse and continue on its way.

Update at 5:15 p.m. — Westbound Washington Boulevard has been shut down at Sycamore Street.

Traffic throughout the county has slowed to a crawl as roads become increasingly snow-covered and as nightfall sets in.

Southbound I-395, westbound I-66, southbound Route 1, westbound Route 50, westbound Columbia Pike, Washington Boulevard and Glebe Road are jammed.

Numerous accidents have been reported throughout the county. Numerous hills have been reported to be impassable.

Police and firefighters report being delayed responding to calls due to heavy traffic.

Emergency responders have now been instructed to put chains on their tires to improve traction.

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Traffic Grows Thick as Roads Get Slick

By ARLnow.com

Highways leading out of the District of Columbia are thick with traffic as a steady rain starts to change over to a slippery mix of sleet and snow.

Southbound I-395 and westbound I-66 are both jammed.

Meanwhile, police and firefighters are on the scene of a two-vehicle collision on northbound I-395 just before Shirlington.

Update at 3:55 p.m. — Heavy congestion reported on Washington Boulevard from Clarendon to I-395.

Update at 4:15 p.m. — Firefighters are on the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Columbia Pike at South Frederick Street.

Update at 4:25 p.m. — Roads are quickly becoming snow-covered. Reports are coming in of cars becoming stuck on hills.

Update at 5:15 p.m. — We’re now providing snow and traffic updates on a new post.

County Snow Crews Gearing Up for Storm

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County snow crews are finalizing plans to tackle the winter storm that’s predicted to hit the region tomorrow evening.

Employees from the county’s Water Sewer Streets Bureau will be divided up into two teams that will work 12-hour, round-the-clock shifts starting tomorrow before the storm’s arrival.

Snow-clearing equipment will be readied tomorrow morning, with crews getting on the road by mid-afternoon, according to Department of Environmental Services spokeswoman Myllisa Kennedy.

County plows will continue clearing roads throughout the overnight hours, Kennedy said.

Winter Storm Watch in Effect

By ARLnow.com

A winter storm watch has been issued for Arlington (and the rest of the Washington region) tomorrow.

Forecasters are calling for snow to start falling tomorrow afternoon, with accumulations of five or more inches possible.

… WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH… WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

* PRECIPITATION TYPE… BECOMING ALL SNOW DURING LATE AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

* ACCUMULATIONS… 5 OR MORE INCHES OF SNOW POSSIBLE.

* TIMING… SNOW STARTING DURING THE LATE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING. ENDING AFTER MIDNIGHT FROM SOUTHWEST TO NORTHEAST WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

* TEMPERATURES… MID TO UPPER 30S WEDNESDAY… DROPPING TO THE LOWER 30S BY THE EVENING. THE UPPER 20S WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

* WINDS… NORTHEAST 10 TO 15 MPH WEDNESDAY… BECOMING NORTHWEST AROUND 15 MPH WEDNESDAY EVENING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOW… SLEET… OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

Icy, Snowy Commute Expected Tomorrow Morning

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 11:30 p.m.) Get ready for the dreaded wintry mix and a challenging morning commute.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory, in effect from 10:00 tonight to 9:00 tomorrow morning. Forecasters are predicting that snow and sleet, beginning around dinner time, will switch over to freezing rain overnight, leaving roads slick and the ground covered with as much as an inch of wet snow.

Luckily, most Arlington Public School students already have the day off tomorrow. Tuesday is a designated teacher work day in every school except Barcroft Elementary, Campbell Elementary and the high school continuation programs at Arlington Mill and Langston. No word yet on whether classes will be canceled or delayed at Barcroft.

Arlington County’s Office of Emergency Management just issued the following alert:

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued from 10 PM Monday night until 9 AM Tuesday morning for a mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow.  Up to one inch snow accumulation expected before changing to freezing rain. Ice accumulations around one tenth of an inch are expected.

Winter Storm Warning Issued

By ARLnow.com

Update at 2:00 p.m. — The winter storm warning has been dropped. Arlington is now expected to just get a dusting of snow.

Update at 3:00 a.m. — It now appears that the storm will be smaller than anticipated locally.

The Arlington Office of Emergency Management has broadcast the following alert about the snowstorm that will be impacting the Washington area tomorrow.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for NCR, effective from 6AM Sunday to 6AM Monday. Currently, the anticipated amount of snowfall is 6-7 inches. However, the area is right on the borderline between receiving a direct hit by the storm, and only receiving moderate snow, so anywhere from 3-10 inches should be anticipated. Light snow will start early Sun morning, and become heavier from mid-morning to early evening. High temp 30. Snow will taper off at night, but winds will pick up. Low 23. Monday will provide clearing but with windy conditions, and possibly blowing snow. High 31.

Arlington OEM would like to offer the following tips:

-Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. If you must drive, stay on main roads, and avoid back roads and alleys.

-Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack—a major cause of death during the winter.

-Listen to your radio, television or NOAA Weather Radio for weather reports and emergency information.

-Dress for the weather. Wear several layers of loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. Wear mittens, a hat and cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

-Watch for signs of frostbite (skin appears white and waxy, numbness or no feeling) and hypothermia (shivering, confusion or dizziness, slow or slurred speech). Go to a medical facility immediately if you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms.

Morning Poll: Dreams of a Winter Wonderland

By ARLnow.com

The snow storm once seen as a possibility for this weekend never came to pass. Instead of a cold, snowy weekend, we were left with, well, just a cold weekend.

Now, instead of a blast of snow on Tuesday, as once predicted, snow lovers are being told to wait until Christmas.

Surely, snow fans must be getting a bit frustrated. If there’s one time of year when it would be nice to have some more white stuff on the ground, it’s the holiday season.

Now, we know there are plenty of people around here who would swap climates with South Florida in a second, if given the choice. But if the temperature outside is going to be freezing cold anyway, would you rather have some snow?


Hills Prove Challenging During Snowfall

By ARLnow.com

Out of the more than 15 accidents that have been reported in Arlington since the snow started falling, we haven’t heard of one on any of the major highways that criss-cross the county. Instead, it’s hilly side streets that are proving the biggest challenge so far today

Earlier we reported that North Veitch Street had been shut down near Lee Highway due to slippery conditions on a hill that led to a minor accident.

Now we’re hearing of big problems on at least three other hilly roads.

Five cars are stuck on Army Navy Drive just before South Joyce Street. Police are on the scene awaiting a salt truck.

Washington Boulevard is blocked at Kirkwood Road, according to a tipster, due to a car that can’t get up the hill. (Update at 2:15 p.m. — It’s back open “but still unplowed and slippery,” our tipster says.)

And at North Pollard Street and 30th Street North, near Military Road in the Bellvue Forest neighborhood, police have blocked off a couple of ice-covered roads. The ice reportedly caused a FedEx truck and a Arlington County school bus to slide down a hill. The FedEx truck struck and seriously damaged a car, we hear. No word on damage to the school bus, but crews have been spreading sand in an effort to allow the bus to get back up the hill.

Update at 3:55 p.m. — One or two school buses have been involved in a collision at Kirkwood Road and 14th Street North, according to police radio traffic. No injuries have been reported.

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