severe weather

Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued

By ARLnow.com

Arlington and surrounding areas are under a severe thunderstorm warning through 3:15 p.m. A line of strong storms is quickly approaching from the northwest.

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR… CITY OF ALEXANDRIA IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CITY OF FAIRFAX IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…

* UNTIL 315 PM EDT

* AT 231 PM EDT… NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM WOLF TRAP TO RESTON TO HERNDON… AND MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 30 MPH.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… THE I66 AND I495 INTERCHANGE… TYSONS CORNER… PIMMIT HILLS… OAKTON… FALLS CHURCH… MANTUA… FAIRFAX… LINCOLNIA… LAKE BARCROFT… BALLSTON…

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM. IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH… MOVE INDOORS TO A STURDY BUILDING AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO… REPORT SEVERE WEATHER TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

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.

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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VDOT Preparing for “Very Difficult Rush Hour”

By ARLnow.com

By 3:00 this afternoon, VDOT expects to have 2,000 trucks helping to keep Northern Virginia roads clear of snow. Still, the agency is bracing for “rapidly deteriorating weather conditions” and warning of a “very difficult rush hour.”

VDOT started pre-treating bridges and ramps and other trouble spots on state roads and highways yesterday, according to spokeswoman Joan Morris. Spots on I-66, I-95, I-395 and I-495 were treated with liquid magnesium chloride, while parts of major roads like Route 50 and Route 1 were pre-treated with salt brine.

Now, crews are in position to tackle snow that’s expected to fall at a rate of 1″ to 2″ an hour later this afternoon.

“Treatment trucks and plows are pre-positioning along interstates, major roads and in subdivisions throughout Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties for quick response,” VDOT said in a statement.

The agency is asking Northern Virginia drivers to stay off the roads tonight, if at all possible.

“The Virginia Department of Transportation urges motorists to plan ahead for their evening commutes, and to limit travel after 4 p.m. today,” VDOT said. “If motorists must travel, they are encouraged to check current weather, road conditions and traffic cameras before traveling by visiting www.511Virginia.org or by calling 511.”

VDOT also issued the following winter driving tips:

  • Ensure that your vehicle is winter-ready.
  • Slow down, and keep a five-second distance or more behind other vehicles. Do no pass trucks applying chemicals unless absolutely necessary.
  • Be aware of areas prone to freezing such as ramps and bridges.
  • When driving on ice, do not slam on brakes. Turn gently and slowly.
  • Keep an emergency winter kit in your car.
  • Always wear your seatbelt.

Federal Gov’t, Arlington Schools to Close Two Hours Early

By ARLnow.com

With Arlington salt trucks gearing up to tackle this afternoon’s potentially dangerous snowfall, Arlington schools and the federal government have both announced early closings.

Arlington Public Schools will close two hours early today, the school system has announced. All evening and after school activities are canceled.

Meanwhile, the Office of Personnel Management has announced that federal employees will be dismissed two hours early today.

Update at 1:00 p.m. — All Arlington Public Library branches are closing at 5:00 p.m.

Update at 1:15 p.m. — All non-emergency Arlington County Government facilities will close at 5:00 p.m. Evening activities are canceled.

Stick with ARLnow.com for continuous breaking news coverage of tonight’s winter storm. We’ll be providing up-to-the-second updates through midnight tonight on the blog and on Twitter.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued

By ARLnow.com

Update at 6:45 p.m. — For once this summer, the initial storm prediction did not pan out. There’s still a chance that storms will develop later, but that’s looking increasingly unlikely.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Arlington and the greater Washington area.

Strong storms are expected to roll through the area some time between 3:00 and 5:00 tonight. The severe thunderstorm watch expires at 10:00 p.m.

ARLnow.com will have complete coverage of the storms and the impact in your neighborhood.