snow

Morning Notes

By Tim Regan

Red sky at morning

Brace Yourselves — Latest predictions say the snow is set to start as early as noon today, which happens to be the same time federal offices in D.C. and the surrounding area are expected to close. [Capital Weather Gang]

Blizzard Closures — Metro will cease all service at 11 p.m. tonight. Federal government and Arlington County offices across the area close at noon. Arlington public schools will be closed today, and all weekend activities are cancelled. [Metro, Washington Post, APS, Arlington County]

Snow Tips — The area is bracing for a potentially historic blizzard. Here’s what you need to know to ride out the storm. [ARLNow]

Community Radio Station ‘Off and Running’ — Arlington’s community-run radio station, WERA, is off to a good start, says its director of community programs. The station, which is at 96.7 FM, is adding new programs weekly. [InsideNova]

Arlington Artist Q&A — Meet Javier Padilla, a local artist who paints abstract portraits. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Photo by Mark C. White

Arlington Area Braces for Possibly Historic Blizzard

By Buzz McClain

Winter storm Jonas hasn’t even made it to Arlington and panic has already set in. Store shelves are dwindling. Virginia is in a state of emergency. Metrotrail this afternoon announced it would suspend service across the entire system starting tomorrow night at 11 p.m. and remain closed all day Saturday and Sunday.

But all this panic is likely for good reason: More than 100 traffic accidents took place in the region during Wednesday’s pre-storm flurries (Arlington apologized for the road conditions). We shudder to think what’s going to happen should Jonas begin dropping the reported up-to-20-inches of flakes on us Friday afternoon.

Multiple county agencies have mobilized in an effort to keep things as civilized as possible. In Arlington, there are more than 100 county drivers working 12-hour shifts, driving 47 county trucks with another 30 or so on contract standing by.

The 9,000 tons of salt ready to be spread on roads is 1,000 tons more than last year, and there’s also 200 tons of sand at the ready. Still, most government agencies in the area are repeating the same message: Do not leave home.

We’ve put together a few resources you should know about how to cope with snow in Arlington.

  • Here’s the snow removal hotline: 703-228-6485. Or instead, use this form to report an issue. On the other hand, maybe they’re on the way; use the number to call for service updates.
  • Ever wonder why three days into a “weather event” your street hasn’t been plowed? You might not like the answer, but here it is.
  • So you got to the end of the street but slid sideways into a snow bank? And then when you came back the car was gone? Oh, no, you got towed. You’re going to want to call this number: 703-558-2222. Maybe you should have checked if Metro is running.
  • Did you lose your power too? Here’s where to report it with Dominion Virginia Power or to find out why it’s still out.
  • Here’s a list of closings and delays at county agencies. They can’t get to work either.
  • If you can get the door open and step outside, there are nine miles of trails the Parks & Rec gang are keeping plowed for your hiking pleasure. Snow shoes optional.
  • This winter the county is experimenting with plowing tracks into protected bicycle lanes. If you ride your bike in the snow, make sure you know what you are doing.
  • Remember, you need to shovel that snow in front of your house, no matter how deep it is. It’s the law.
  • In addition, Arlington Fire would like you to “adopt a hydrant”; so does your dog.
  • Out of bread, milk and toilet paper already? You should have prepared better by reading this first.
  • If you can get out of the house, head to one of three Arlington parks–Virginia Highlands, Mosaic Park and Bluemont Park–to watch front-end loaders pile snow into a massive snow melting machine. Beats watching another episode of “Sponge Bob.”
  • Here’s a bunch of important county emergency phone numbers in a single pdf.
  • And please, check on your elderly and handicapped neighbors. We’re all in this together.

Morning Notes

By Tim Regan

Construction site in the snow

‘Carmageddon’ Grips Local Roads — It’s crazy what one inch of snow can do to unsalted roads. Hundreds of drivers slid, stopped and slammed into each other across  area roads last night and early this morning. Multiple commuters told us it took hours to get home. [ARLNow, FOX 5, CBS 6, Washington Post]

Traffic Study Reveals I-66 Problems — Ever wondered why I-66 is a mess sometimes? A new study supporting a plan for high-occupancy toll lanes may help shed light on why. Though that answer to that question is complicated, the study did reveal one thing: HOV rules have a large impact on traffic. [Washington Post]

Shovel That Walk, It’s The Law — Did you know you’re required to clear public sidewalks adjacent to your property? If not, you might want to brush up on the rules before this weekend’s snowstorm. [Arlington County]

Gov. McAuliffe Declares State of Emergency — Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe has declared a state of emergency for Virginia in response to the winter storm expected to slam the region tomorrow and Saturday. [ARLNow]

Arrowine’s ‘Ladies of the Vine’ Cancelled — The event is cancelled due to the looming snowstorm. [ARLNow]

Gov. McAuliffe Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Snowstorm

By Tim Regan

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe has declared a state of emergency for Virginia in response to the winter storm expected to slam the region tomorrow and Saturday.

McAuliffe declared the state of emergency around 8 a.m. this morning to allow Virginia businesses, residents and officials to prepare for the impending snow, and urged them to prepare right away.

“Keeping Virginians safe in the event of severe weather is our top concern – that is why Virginia began preparing for severe winter weather yesterday by ordering more than 500 vehicles out to pretreat roads in Northern Virginia,” McAuliffe said in a press release. “All Virginians should take the threat of this storm seriously and take necessary precautions now to ensure they are prepared for travel disruptions and possible power outages during a cold weather period.”

The storm is expected to bring double-digit snowfall and wind gusts up to roughly 40 miles per hour Friday and Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. About an inch of snowfall snarled traffic and caused dozens of accidents across the area last night.

Virginia officials issued the following tips for staying safe during the storm (after the jump). (more…)

Snow Flurries Snarl Traffic Across Arlington

By Tim Regan

ARL Traffic

If this was a test run for this weekend’s snowstorm, we didn’t fare well.

Though a thin coating of snow fell across the Arlington area, many drivers found that roads were slick at best, treacherous at worst. Traffic piled up across the county as early as 7 p.m. this evening, and plenty of drivers told us they encountered unsalted, untreated roads.

“Skid fest on Rosslyn hill,” said one reader. “It seems Arlington failed to treat the roads for tonight and an ice layer built on the surface of the road, uphill Rosslyn.”

Another wrote us earlier tonight and said: “The ground is frozen solid.  The weather forecasts all predicted an inch or so of snow this evening.  Why weren’t the roads treated?”

Here’s a snippet of what some other ARLNow readers reported on Twitter throughout the night:

Did you drive through the ice and snow? We want to hear from you. Tweet at us or send us an e-mail.

Photo via Michael Thomas

Pre-Blizzard Buying Blitz Begins at Area Stores

By Buzz McClain
1/3

The seasonal ritual of stocking up on pre-blizzard household goods began in earnest this afternoon as shoppers clamored for bread, milk and other perishables in advance of Friday’s predicted double digit snowfall. Toilet paper, although not technically perishable, was also in high demand.

“I’ve been doing some recipe planning and planned out the week,” said Brittany Yam at Mom’s Organic Market at 1901 North Veitch Street. The mother of three from Donaldson Run was pushing a nearly full basket loaded with bread, fruit, frozen chicken strips and her daughter.

“You’re taking gamble with the snow,” she explained. “Is it going to be five inches or 20 inches? You have to take the bet and prepare for it.”

By the looks of the basket, she’s betting on a blizzard. And among other items, she’s anticipated the possibility of “cabin fever” and stocked up on baking supplies. “For baking projects, in case we get snowed in,” she said.

At the Safeway at 3713 Lee Highway at Maywood, all the shopping baskets were in use at 1:30 p.m. Meanwhile, at the Giant Food at 3115 Lee Highway in Lyon Village, the lines to the cashiers were prohibitively lengthy, snaking a distance down the aisles and creating a mournful pallor over the customers.

Things were calmer at Westover Market at 5863 Washington Boulevard, but the frequent customers also concentrated on the essentials, particularly the T.P. and bread.

Owner Suki Hicks said in 10 years, “we never close–not for snow or rain or anything. We will stay open.” As for the store’s well-known wall of beer, “and we’re never going to run out of beer,” she said.

Hicks adds that the popular fire pits in the adjacent Westover Beer Garden will be burning as well, no matter what the weather.

Morning Poll: Snow My God, Are We Snowtally Doomed?

By Tim Regan

Plowing snow in Pentagon City

The latest forecast suggests a “crippling” blizzard is headed for the region, with snowfall totals in the double digits and strong winds possible. And before we go any further, let us remind you that you asked for this just one week ago.

With any winter storm comes a lot of excitement and plenty of panic. How have you prepared thus far? Snowblower gassed up? Are your shovels sharpened? Did you buy the bread, eggs and milk?

It also comes with a healthy dose of skepticism. After all, how many times have we woken up to a light dusting when we were promised snowmageddon?

So, we want to hear from you: Are we snowtally doomed? Or does the hullabaloo surrounding the latest forecast make you want to tell people, “snow way, Jose.”

File photo

Morning Notes

By Tim Regan

Morning notes flickr

Summer Reading Becomes Winter Donation — Arlington Public Library staff presented the The Reading Connection with a check for more than $2,400 yesterday morning. The dollar amount represents a $1 donation for each person who completed the library’s 2015 summer reading program. [Arlington Public Library]

Toll Time for I-66? — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) recommended funding for projects that would bring toll lanes to I-66 and add a second entrance to the Ballston Metro Station, among other developments. [WTOP]

Sneak Peek at Latest Synetic Play –Synetic Theater has chosen a cast for its upcoming wordless performance of Romeo and Juliet. Check out photos of the performance, which will star longtime Synetic players Zana Gankhuyag and Irina Kavsadze, on the theater company’s website. [Synetic Theater]

Snow Forecast Intensifies — Computer models from late last night suggest “very substantial to historic” snowfall totals on Friday afternoon and Saturday. Just how much snow are we talking about? Analysts say we could see as much as 12 to 30 inches of the white fluffy stuff. [Capital Weather Gang]

Flickr pool photo by Dennis Dimick

Morning Poll: More Snow, Please?

By ARLnow.com

Snow squall on 2/14/15Last night’s brief round of snow flurries were the first of the season. While the snow didn’t stick in Arlington, it at least provided a few minutes’ reminder that it is, in fact, winter here.

There’s some additional potential snow in the forecast for Sunday, but nothing of the Snowmageddon variety.

Are you hoping for more snow this winter, or rooting for the current snow-less trend to continue?

File photo

NWS: Expect Snow Showers, Gusty Winds During Evening Commute

By ARLnow.com

Snow squall on 2/14/15The National Weather Service is warning of a potentially messy commute tonight.

D.C. area commuters could face snow showers and strong winds during the evening rush hour, forecasters say.

NWS issued the following Special Weather Statement just after 1:50 p.m.

…SNOW SHOWERS AND STRONG WINDS EXPECTED TO IMPACT RUSH HOUR THIS EVENING…

A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL CROSS THE REGION THIS EVENING DURING RUSH HOUR. THE FRONT WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS. THE SNOW SHOWERS WILL START TO MOVE INTO THE METRO AREA BY 4 PM AND SHOULD CLEAR THE REGION BY 8 PM.

THE SNOW SHOWERS MAY BE LOCALLY HEAVY AND COULD DROP A QUICK COATING OF SNOW IN SOME AREAS. WHILE ROAD TEMPERATURES ARE WARM AT PRESENT…GUSTY WINDS AND COLDER AIR MOVING INTO THE AREA MAY RESULT IN PATCHES OF ICE ON UNTREATED ROADWAYS THIS EVENING. THE GUSTY WINDS MAY ALSO REACH 50 MPH WHICH COULD CAUSE SPOTTY MINOR DAMAGE.

EVENING COMMUTERS SHOULD USE EXTRA CAUTION AND TAKE THEIR TIME. VISIBILITY COULD DROP RAPIDLY FOR A BRIEF PERIOD DURING HEAVIER SNOW SHOWERS…AND ROADS WHICH APPEAR WET LATER THIS EVENING COULD IN FACT BE ICY.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Pentagon Row Ice rink

County Creates Veterans Committee — Arlington County is creating a Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, to “identify, prioritize and implement programs and initiatives to recognize and support our active duty military population, our veterans, and their families.” The committee will also serve as the county’s liaison to the Vietnam War 50th anniversary commemoration. [Arlington County]

Pot Legalization Advocates Meeting in Arlington — The 2015 International Drug Policy Reform Conference is being held in Crystal City today through Saturday. The group holding the conference is planning to lobby Congress for laws that would make it easier for states to legalize marijuana and decrease penalties for non-violent drug offenders. [Associated Press, Drugpolicy.org]

New Logo for DCA, Airports Authority — Reagan National Airport and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority have a new logo, in time for the holiday travel season. [Twitter, YouTube]

Arlington Startup Gets $2 Million Investment — Arlington-based cybersecurity startup TruStar Technology has raised $2 million in seed round funding, led by Silicon Valley-based investors. [Washington Business Journal]

Weather Gang, Topper Predict Less Snow — Contrary to NBC4’s Doug Kammerer, who predicted a snowier-than-average winter, the Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang and WUSA9’s Topper Shutt both are predicting less snow than usual and warmer than usual temperatures. [Washington Post]

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