Forecasters are warning that a heavy burst of snow may push through the region around tonight’s evening rush hour.
The snow squall will be followed by an arctic cold front that may produce record low temperatures Thursday and Friday.
From the National Weather Service:
… ARCTIC COLD FRONT TO BRING SNOW SHOWERS AND SQUALLS LATER TODAY…
AN ARCTIC COLD FRONT WILL PUSH ACROSS THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC REGION THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THE FRONT WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY SNOW SHOWERS AND SQUALLS WHICH WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE A QUICK BURST OF HEAVY SNOW… REDUCED VISIBILITIES AND HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS. THE ARCTIC FRONT WILL PUSH ACROSS THE I-81 CORRIDOR BY EARLY AFTERNOON THEN THROUGH THE BALTIMORE AND WASHINGTON DC METRO AREAS DURING THE LATE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING. BEHIND THE FRONT… GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS AND RAPIDLY FALLING TEMPERATURES WILL LEAD TO BELOW ZERO WIND CHILLS AND BITTERLY COLD TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT.
Arlington Public Schools will open on a two hour delay Wednesday, the school system announced tonight (Tuesday.)
From APS, via email:
All APS schools and offices will open two hours late tomorrow and there will be no early release. Schools will end at the normal dismissal time and all morning field trips are canceled. The Extended Day program also will open two hours late. Essential personnel are to report to work at their scheduled time. For updates about Pool Operations, go to www.apsva.us/aquatics.
Many of the roads around Arlington remain unplowed as of 10:00 a.m., despite the sunshine and the end of the 4-5 inches of snowfall.
The federal and county governments are closed, as are many private offices, which sought to avoid asking employees to trek through hazardous driving conditions this morning. Many retail businesses decided not to open due to the storm either.
Outside of Wilson and Clarendon Blvds, all of the roads in Clarendon were unplowed this morning, and the normally bustling rush hour around the Metro stop was quiet — the man handing out the Washington Post Express newspaper could be heard saying “Have a good day” to every passerby from a block away.
Jessica Chakrin, a Clarendon resident, ventured to a mostly empty Whole Foods this morning with her boyfriend, Steve Benkert, who lives in D.C. Neither works for the federal government, but both were enjoying a day off work and some spontaneous, child-like fun.
“We went to Whole Foods breakfast, had some [coffee] there, and I was about to shove her in the snow… that was about as far as the day was planned,” Benkert said. He noted that the Whole Foods was almost empty — a rare sight for most Clarendon regulars.
With Monday’s federal holiday, the snow meant most workers in the area got four straight days off work.
“Snow days are fun,” said Rusty Mathews, who lives near Clarendon on Fairfax Drive and works for a law firm. “They’re a nice change, but right after a holiday, it’s particularly nice. You get a long, long weekend.”
Update at 9:40 a.m. — Limited Metrobus service will start being restored at 10:30 a.m. Buses will operate under a severe snow plan.
The snow has stopped falling and some breaks of blue sky can even be seen above, but the impacts of the overnight snowfall are still being felt.
About 4-5 inches of snow fell on Arlington from Monday afternoon to this morning. Most roads are still snow-covered as county crews continue to treat primary and secondary routes. Neighborhood streets are largely untreated.
As the temperature remains very cold and even treated roads are slippery, VDOT is asking drivers to stay put for now.
“Drivers are urged to delay travel today until at least 10:00 a.m., as Virginia Department of Transportation crews continue working to clear and treat roads in Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington counties,” VDOT said in a statement. “Interstates and major primaries are passable with extreme caution. Other roads were also plowed continuously overnight but still have a layer of snow and ice.”
The National Weather Service says the snow has ended, but is warning of hazardous travel conditions.
THE BULK OF THE PRECIPITATION HAS ENDED THIS MORNING… WITH ONLY LIGHT SNOW EXPECTED TO IMPACT AREAS EAST OF THE I-95 CORRIDOR THROUGH MID MORNING. SLIPPERY CONDITIONS AS A RESULT OF SNOW COVERED ROADS AND TEMPERATURES IN THE TEENS TO 20S WILL LEAD TO HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS TODAY.
IF YOU NEED TO TRAVEL… PLEASE LEAVE SOME EXTRA TIME TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION AND USE CAUTION… ESPECIALLY ON ANY UNTREATED OR SNOW PACKED ROADWAYS.
There will be no trash and recycling collection in Arlington today.
“Collection services will resume when County offices reopen and will continue until all trash and recycling is collected,” according to the Arlington Dept. of Environmental Services. “Until services resume, remove carts from the right-of-way to allow snow removal crews to clear the roads.”
Metrobus services has been suspended as of 7:30 a.m. Metrorail is running on a Saturday schedule. ART buses are running at “severe service levels.” MetroAccess is suspended Tuesday and Arlington STAR service is suspended except for dialysis rides.
Virginia State Police says troopers in Northern Virginia responded to 121 crashes and 122 disabled vehicles between 4:00 p.m. Monday and 4:00 a.m. Tuesday. A state police patrol car was struck by a car on the Capital Beltway just before 6:00 this morning, sending the trooper to the hospital.
VDOT says HOV restrictions have been lifted on I-66, I-395 and the Dulles Toll Road.
In part due to the low temperature, which prevents salt from melting snow, county and state crews are plowing roads and spreading a sand mixture. Many roads will remain snow-packed and will not be bare pavement as a result.
(Updated at 10:05 p.m.) Arlington Public Schools and the federal government will be closed on Tuesday due to snow.
“All Arlington Public Schools and Offices will be closed on Tue, Feb. 17,” APS said in an email. “Essential personnel are to report to work at their scheduled time. Extracurricular activities, interscholastic games, team practices, field trips, adult and community education classes, and programs in schools and on school grounds are canceled.”
All APS pools will also be closed on Tuesday.
Federal government offices will be closed Tuesday, per the Office of Personnel Management.
“FEDERAL OFFICES in the Washington, DC area are CLOSED,” OPM said on its website. “Emergency and telework-ready employees required to work must follow their agency’s policies, including written telework agreements.”
Arlington Transit buses, meanwhile, will operate at “severe service levels” on Tuesday.
“ART will operate only routes 41, 42, 45, 51, 77 & 87 on arterial streets Tuesday Feb 17 due to weather and street conditions. Expect delays,” ART said via email. “No service on S. Courthouse Rd, in Columbia Hts West, the Walter Reed hill, or north of Virginia Hospital Center. No other routes will be operated.”
(Updated at 7:30 p.m.) Snowflakes have started flying across Arlington, marking the beginning of what’s expected to be a significant snowstorm.
A Winter Storm Warning is now in effect, with forecasters calling for 6-10 inches of snow through noon tomorrow (Tuesday).
As of 4:20 p.m., Arlington County said it’s transitioning from a “Phase 1” to a “Phase 2” snow response.
“Snow crews began pre-treating primary and secondary routes earlier today with brine,” according to Arlington Dept. of Environmental Services spokeswoman Shannon Whalen McDaniel. “Most streets had residual brine from Saturday’s event, which will help with the initial snowfall this afternoon. Trucks were also hooked up with plows, chains and spreaders in preparation.”
“We’ll be on full-deployment with approximately 50 trucks until the snow stops tomorrow,” Whalen McDaniel said.
Thanks to frigid temperatures throughout the weekend, snow is sticking on pavement and grassy surfaces. Authorities are asking residents to stay home during the snowstorm, if possible, and plan for treacherous driving conditions in the days following the storm.
“Virginia State Police is advising all motorists to delay travel plans for tonight and/or Tuesday morning, as roads will be treacherous,” VSP said in a press release. “With the forecasted freezing temperatures, any snow and ice accumulations are expected to stick around for a few days. So it is important to prepare your home, family, and vehicle in advance.”
Long lines are being reported at various Arlington grocery stores. The Harris Teeter at Shirlington, meanwhile, is temporarily closed due to a burst pipe.
MetroAccess service is being suspended as of 6:00 p.m. Monday and will remain suspended Tuesday, according to WMATA. Metrobuses are suspended from 1:00 to 5:00 a.m., then will operate under Metro’s severe snow plan. Metrorail will operate on a Saturday schedule on Tuesday.
Arlington County Police say several accidents have been reported since the snow started falling.
We're starting to see vehicle accidents. Drive for the conditions and remember, posted speed limits are intended for dry conditions #snow
The Clarendon Alliance, which organizes the parade, announced this morning that it will not be held tomorrow night, on Fat Tuesday, as scheduled. Instead, the parade is being rescheduled for St. Patrick’s Day (March 17).
Six to ten inches of snow are expected to fall overnight.
Last year 4-6 inches of snow on Fat Tuesday prompted the parade’s postponement. The 2014 parade was rescheduled for St. Patrick’s Day, but ultimately canceled due to another snow storm.
(Updated at 4:30 p.m.) The Winter Storm Watch issued for Arlington and the rest of the D.C. area Sunday afternoon has been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning.
As of Monday morning, forecasters said 6-10 inches of snow may fall overnight. The snow is expected to begin Monday afternoon and wrap up Tuesday morning.
From the National Weather Service:
… WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EST TUESDAY…
* PRECIPITATION TYPE… SNOW.
* ACCUMULATIONS… 6 TO 10 INCHES… WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS EXPECTED ACROSS PORTIONS OF LOWER SOUTHERN MARYLAND.
* TIMING… SNOW WILL INCREASE IN INTENSITY THROUGH THE EVENING HOURS. HEAVIEST SNOW IS EXPECTED LATE TONIGHT INTO EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.
* TEMPERATURES… MID TEENS TO LOWER 20S.
* WINDS… EAST 5 TO 10 MPH.
* IMPACTS… BEGINNING THIS EVENING… ROADS WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY WITH VISIBILITIES BEING REDUCED TO ONE HALF MILE OR LESS AT TIMES. THE COMBINATION OF SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LOW VISIBILITY WILL MAKE TRAVELING DANGEROUS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL… KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT… FOOD… AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.
Forecasters are warning that a strong cold front could bring snow squalls and even thundersnow to the area tonight (Saturday).
Expect dangerous, rapidly-changing conditions outside as snow, high wind and bitter cold push in from the west.
The National Weather Service has issued the following Special Weather Statement.
… HAZARDOUS WINTER CONDITIONS THIS EVENING…
AN STRONG ARCTIC COLD FRONT WILL MOVE ACROSS THE MID-ATLANTIC THIS EVENING. THROUGH 8 PM EXPECT SNOW SHOWERS AND SQUALLS AND WINDY CONDITIONS AS THE FRONT MOVES THROUGH… ALONG WITH POSSIBLE THUNDERSNOW.
BURSTS OF HEAVY SNOW COULD PRODUCE A QUICK COATING TO AN INCH OF SNOW ACCUMULATION IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AND THUNDERSNOW HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPORTED IN WESTERN MARYLAND.
ROADS WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED AND SLICK THIS EVENING. ALSO… WINDS ACCOMPANYING THE SNOW SHOWERS AND SQUALLS WILL BECOME STRONG… GUSTING 40 TO 50 MPH. THE COMBINATION OF SNOW SHOWERS AND STRONG WINDS WILL LEAD TO VISIBILITIES OF ONE HALF MILE OR LESS. THESE LOW VISIBILITIES WILL DEVELOP SUDDENLY.
TRAVELERS ACROSS THE REGION ARE ADVISED TO USE EXTREME CAUTION THROUGH THIS EVENING. BE PREPARED FOR RAPIDLY CHANGING CONDITIONS AS THE ARCTIC FRONT MOVES THROUGH. BURSTS OF HEAVY SNOW WITH SUDDEN VISIBILITY RESTRICTIONS COULD MAKE FOR DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS.
AFTER THE SNOW ENDS LATE THIS EVENING… VERY COLD AIR WILL MOVE INTO THE MID-ATLANTIC. THE VERY COLD AIR WILL ALLOW ANY SNOW OR SLUSH ON AREA ROADS TO FREEZE… RESULTING IN ICY CONDITIONS. WIND CHILLS WILL QUICKLY FALL INTO THE SINGLE DIGITS THIS EVENING.
Encouraging Residency for Top County Staff — Top Arlington County officials should be encouraged to live in Arlington, County Board members said over the weekend, but they stopped short of saying that it should be a requirement. The Board responded to a resident’s concern about non-county residents on staff. County Manager Barbara Donnellan, County Attorney Stephen MacIsaac and outgoing Police Chief Doug Scott all live outside the county. [InsideNova]
For Rent: Tiny Two-Story Cottage — A 450 square foot, 1 BR / 1 BA cottage is for rent just off of Lee Highway, near District Taco, and one blogger thinks it’s the “coolest rental in Arlington.” The tiny, standalone house features a living area and kitchenette on the first floor, and a second floor loft bedroom. It’s listed at $1,200 per month. [Real House Life of Arlington]
Millennial Complains About Housing Costs — A member of the millennial generation has written an op-ed in the Washington Post complaining that while his mom was able to buy a house in Arlington as a young photographer in 1976, he is unable to afford one today, as are many other so-called millennials. Nonetheless, millennials currently make up 39 percent of the county’s population. [Washington Post]
Arlington Flag Team Makes National Finals — The Arlington 13-14 girls NFL Flag football team has made the national final game in Arizona, set to be played tonight. The game will be live-streamed on the internet. [Twitter, NFL Flag]
Snow Cancellation Map — How much snow does it take to cancel school in Arlington? About three inches, according to a map created by a Reddit user, which shows cancellation stats by county across the U.S. The map indicates that just a couple hours to the northwest, it takes a foot of snow to cancel school, while a couple of hours to the south “any snow” will result in a cancellation. [Imgur, Reddit]
Arlington Public Schools are opening on a two hour delay this morning due to concerns about icy conditions.
From APS:
APS schools and offices will open two hours late today and all schools will end at the normal dismissal time. Essential school employees should report on time. The Extended Day program will also open two hours late. There will be no early release and all morning field trips are canceled. For updates about Pool Operations, go to www.apsva.us/aquatics. For information about Arlington County operations go to www.arlingtonva.us.
APS joins D.C. and Alexandria, among others, in setting a two hour delay. Fairfax and Montgomery County schools have closed for the day.
Arlington’s STAR paratransit system, meanwhile, is opening at 10:00 a.m. and all rides before that are canceled, except for those that are for dialysis.
So far, few accidents are being reported on the roads around Arlington. The county says it’s treating both main roads and residential area this morning.
The National Weather Service is reporting 0.5-1.7 inches of snow accumulation around Arlington since Sunday night.
Forecasters are warning that a heavy burst of snow may push through the region around tonight’s evening rush hour.
