snow

“These People Are Tough, Real Tough”

By ARLnow.com

The county has released a new video introducing us to the people behind the plows. Here’s what we learned:

  • Department of Environmental Services director Bob Griffith has now worked for 17 straight days
  • Snow removal crews are becoming fatigued after several straight days of working 12-hour shifts
  • Throwing snow balls at snow plows is not cool
  • There are insufferable jerks who refuse to get out of the way of snow plows
  • Don’t call the county’s snow removal hotline to request special service because you’re throwing a party
  • Email your snow complaints, requests and comments to [email protected]

Watch the video for yourself, after the jump.

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Arlington Schools, Government Closed Tuesday

By ARLnow.com

Update at 8:05 PM – Arlington County government is closed tomorrow.

Update at 7:30 PM – The federal government is also closed tomorrow.

Arlington County schools are closed tomorrow. The school system sent this letter to parents, saying road conditions make it too dangerous for children to get to school.

Another Day, Another Storm

By ARLnow.com

Update at 4:45 PM – National Weather Service predicting 10 to 20 inches of accumulation for DC. Officially, the Winter Storm Warning for Arlington calls for 6-12 inches of snow.

Update at 2:15 PM – CWG now warns of 5-10 inches of snow and dangerously high winds.

More snow is heading our way Tuesday night, but it seems to be a bit of a wildcard forecasting-wise. The Capital Weather Gang, who did an incredible job correctly predicting, then covering all aspects of last weekend’s storm, is calling for 3 to 6 inches.

County “Snow Spotters” Out and About

By ARLnow.com

A team of 30 Arlington County “snow spotters” is canvassing the 376 miles of county-maintained roadways today, looking for areas in need of additional treatment.

The spotters are specially-trained employees of the Department of Environmental Services. Their observations are relayed back to county employees who map out the findings. The map then allows the snow removal crews to more quickly and easily identify problem spots.

Spotters work autonomously within an assigned area and do not take specific requests from residents.

Kudos To The Snow Pros

By ARLnow.com

The county says its snow removal crews are beginning to tackle neighborhood roads.

“Our crews are still working round-the-clock clearing massive amounts of snow from County-maintained roads,” Acting County Manager Barbara Donnellan said in a press release. “We are throwing everything we have into this effort, and have stabilized main roads and secondary roads throughout the County. Crews are beginning to work their way into the neighborhoods. We thank residents for their patience and understanding.”

Hats off to county snow crews and to the private snow plows that did a remarkable job of keeping main roads passable throughout the storm. A storm of this size and duration requires a sustained snow-clearing effort: plowing and shoveling and trucking, over and over again as snow keeps falling. It’s grueling work, and we are lucky to have such a dedicated team of snow pros serving our area.

Also, kudos to all the snow shovelers who kept walkways in front of apartments, businesses and homes clear for all of us.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective), it’s looking like the snow crews won’t be getting much rest. Another storm is heading our way on Tuesday.

Snow Photos From Last Night

By ARLnow.com

There was a festive atmosphere among those hardy or crazy enough to brave the elements in Courthouse and Clarendon last night. There were people making snow angels in the middle of Wilson Boulevard, people sledding down N. 13th Street, a mother and her young son making a snowman outside an office building at 1:00 AM, and, of course, lots of random shouting and general revelry in the streets.

A number of the popular bars that stayed open, including Whitlow’s and Four Courts, were packed with people. Those leaving the bars seemed especially susceptible to the allure of starting snowball fights.

All of this partying was set against a stunningly beautiful backdrop. With snow largely undisturbed in the side streets, urban-dwellers got a rare chance to marvel at a winter wonderland uninterrupted by stretches of slushy asphalt.

The wet snow clung to tree branches to a degree that the powdery snow of December’s Snowpocalypse could not match. There seemed to be a museum-worthy photo around every corner. After the jump are some of those scenes from last night.

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Reagan National Airport Closed

By ARLnow.com

No more flights will be leaving from or arriving at Reagan National airport tonight, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority. All airlines have canceled flights for Saturday. MWAA says that crews will still be working to keep the runways clear tomorrow, so that flights could possibly resume on Sunday.

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