winter

St. Paddy’s Day Snow Shuts Down Gov’t, Schools

By ARLnow.com

Snow 3/3/14 (file photo)Update at 12:30 p.m. — ART service says it is resuming full service for the afternoon rush hour.

Update at 9:35 a.m. — Runways have reopened at Reagan National Airport. Metro says it will resume normal Metrobus service at 11:00 a.m.

A late season snow storm has shut down the federal government as well as all Arlington County schools, government offices, courts and facilities.

Arlington Public Schools says its schools and offices are closed today, and all “extracurricular activities, interscholastic contests, team practices, field trips, adult and community education classes, and programs in schools and on school grounds are canceled.”

Arlington County government, meanwhile, has closed, citing “treacherous travel conditions.” About 7-8 inches of snow fell on parts of Arlington. The Dept. of Environmental Services says its snow clearing effort is currently in Phase 2 — plowing primary and secondary roads while side roads remain snow-covered.

“If possible, stay off the roads while snow removal efforts continue throughout the day,” the county government said.

ART buses are operating at Severe Service levels on routes 41,42, 45, 51, 77 and 87. All other routes are canceled.

“Service will be added mid-day as conditions permit,” ART reported. Metrobuses are running on major roads only, also on the agency’s severe snow plan. Metrorail is operating at near-normal service levels.

Runways at Reagan National Airport are closed as crews work to reopen the airport to arriving and departing flights.

File photo

Arlington Braces for Another Snow Storm

By ARLnow.com

Snow 3/3/14

Arlington and the rest of the D.C. region will be waking up to a white St. Patrick’s Day.

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the region. The National Weather Service says 4-8 inches of snow is possible, with most of the flakes falling overnight. The Capital Weather Gang, however, predicts that much of Arlington and the District will only see 1-3 inches.

From the NWS:

… WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 2 PM EDT MONDAY…

* PRECIPITATION TYPE… SNOW

* ACCUMULATIONS… 4 TO 8 INCHES.

* TIMING… A MIX OF RAIN AND SNOW EARLY THIS EVENING WILL CHANGE TO ALL SNOW BY MID EVENING. SNOW WILL CONTINUE OVERNIGHT THROUGH EARLY AFTERNOON MONDAY. THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS EXPECTED LATE THIS EVENING THROUGH EARLY MONDAY MORNING.

* TEMPERATURES… FALLING INTO THE LOWER 30S BY MID EVENING AND THEN DROPPING INTO THE LOWER TO MIDDLE 20S LATE TONIGHT. HIGHS MONDAY IN THE LOWER 30S.

* WINDS… NORTHEAST 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 20 MPH.

* IMPACTS… ROADS WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY. TRAVEL WILL BE DANGEROUS… ESPECIALLY TONIGHT THROUGH THE MORNING RUSH ON MONDAY.

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.

The Virginia Department of Transportation, meanwhile, is planning to deploy more than 2,000 snow removal trucks in Northern Virginia. From VDOT:

The Virginia Department of Transportation is preparing for another potential winter storm tonight, and advises drivers to stay off roads during freezing rain and snow expected through tomorrow morning.

Crews will mobilize by 6 p.m. today, and by midnight more than 2,000 trucks will be staged along interstates, major roads and neighborhood streets in Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington counties.

Info for northern Virginia drivers and residents:

  • Drivers are strongly advised to stay home during the storm, overnight tonight and into Monday morning.
  • Crews will plow and treat interstates, major roads and neighborhoods concurrently.
  • Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William residents can enter their address at www.vdotplows.org to see the status of plowing in their neighborhood.
  • Park in your driveway or on the odd-numbered side of the street to allow plows room to pass.
  • When shoveling, leave the last few feet at the curb until the street is plowed, as the truck will push some snow back. Shovel to the right facing the road.
  • Chemicals are not used in subdivisions, but crews sand hills, curves and intersections to provide traction. For most storms, one snowplow pass, about eight to ten feet wide, is made.

Arlington Public Schools Closed Tuesday

By ARLnow.com

Snow 3/3/14(Updated at 11:00 p.m.) Arlington Public Schools will be closed Tuesday and the federal and Arlington County governments will open on a two-hour delay.

Frigid temperatures have officials worried about a potential refreeze and hazardous road conditions following today’s snow storm.

It’s at least the 6th day off for Arlington students this school year. All meetings, extracurricular activities, events and adult education classes are also canceled.

There will be no classes Tuesday, but school offices will be open, on a two-hour delay. Essential employees should report to work as scheduled, the school system said Monday evening.

Photos: March Snow Storm Blankets Arlington

By ARLnow.com
1/18

Sidewalks and roads in many parts of Arlington are still covered with snow Monday afternoon, even though the flakes stopped falling around 2:00 p.m. But that hasn’t stopped plenty of folks in Arlington from venturing outdoors to enjoy the winter wonderland.

Temperatures are expected to continue to plummet into the single digits tonight, so any snow left on roads and sidewalks could turn into a slippery, icy mess.

Despite the big snowfall, few in Arlington are reporting power outages. According to Dominion’s outage map, as of 3:20 p.m., only 19 customers in Arlington were without power.

Snow Removal in Full Swing, Mardi Gras Parade Postponed

By ARLnow.com

Snow 3/3/14(Updated at 3:35 p.m.) The snow has largely stopped falling but crews in Arlington will be busy clearing it from roads and sidewalks well into Tuesday.

About 4-6 inches of snow fell in Arlington, barely meeting the low end of the National Weather Service’s forecast. But the snowfall still managed to cause plenty of problems around town.

The local Virginia State Police barracks reported a total of 111 crashes, 84 disabled vehicles and 372 calls for service as of 3:00 p.m. That’s on top of numerous accidents reported on local Arlington County streets.

ART and Metro bus service has been suspended for the day, but is expected to resume tomorrow. Trash collection service was also canceled in Arlington today. Flights resumed at Reagan National Airport around 3:00 p.m., after arrivals and departures had been suspended for most of the day due to snow-covered runways. Some 360 flights were canceled at the airport today.

Snow 3/3/14Snow removal crews in Arlington are currently in a “Phase 2 Alert” — clearing only primary and arterial roads. Contract snow crews are expected to start using dump trucks to clear snow from Arlington’s Metro corridors starting at 6:00 p.m. tonight. Arlington Parks and Recreation crews, meanwhile, are clearing the sidewalks in front of county facilities.

Arlington’s emergency winter homeless shelter in Courthouse is open all day today due to the snow.

The snow has claimed at least one major event casualty. The Clarendon Alliance has postponed its annual Mardi Gras parade, which was scheduled for Tuesday evening.

“The Clarendon Alliance is announcing that the 2014 Mardi Gras Parade is being postponed, due to snow and ice along the parade route,” Clarendon Alliance executive director Matt Hussman said in an email. “We intend to reschedule the parade as soon as possible — possibly around St. Patrick’s Day… but we need to consult with County officials before we can announce the new date.”

Arlington Buckles Down as Snow Storm Ramps Up

By ARLnow.com

Snow 3/3/14(Updated at 10:20 a.m.) About 4 inches of snow is on the ground in Arlington and more is on the way as winds pick up and temperatures fall.

The temperature had dropped from 34 degrees to 19 degrees from midnight to 8:00 a.m. in Arlington, according to ABC7 meteorologist Ryan Miller. Light, fluffy snow is falling in sheets, blown by 20-30 mile per hour wind gusts.

Forecasters are calling for 6-10 inches of snow to fall by the time the storm tapers off tonight.

Already the snow is causing big problems on the road for those attempting to drive. Glebe Road was blocked between Military Road and Chain Bridge Road as of 8:15 a.m., due to a single-vehicle accident, but has since reopened.

ART and Metro bus service has been suspended, as has STAR and MetroAccess service. Metrorail so far is operating on time. As of 10:15 a.m. runways at Reagan National Airport were closed as crews made a “herculean effort” to clear the snow and reopen the main runway.

Snow 3/3/14Police are also on the scene of an accident at the intersection of Lee Highway and George Mason Drive, where a Nissan reportedly slammed into a tree.

Arlington County is currently in a Phase 2 snow alert, meaning that snow removal crews are only treating and plowing primary and arterial streets. Residential streets will be allowed to become snow-covered.

The federal government and all Arlington schools, courts and government offices are closed Monday.

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency Monday morning in response to the storm. From the governor’s announcement:

As Virginia prepares for another winter storm today, Governor Terry McAuliffe has declared a state of emergency, an action that authorizes state agencies to be ready to assist local governments in responding to the snow and ice storm that will affect the commonwealth this evening and into tomorrow.

In declaring a state of emergency, the governor authorizes state agencies to identify and position resources for quick response anywhere they are needed in Virginia.

“This storm could bring difficult travel and widespread power outages for the next few days,” said Governor McAuliffe.  “It is also going to be very cold with gusty winds across Virginia.  Please postpone travel during the storm, charge up your mobile devices so you can stay in touch, and take time to check on your neighbors in case they need help.”

In response to the storm:

  • The Virginia Emergency Operations Center is at increased readiness with emergency response team members monitoring the storm and ready to coordinate the state’s response.
  • The Virginia Department of Emergency Management is coordinating conference calls between the National Weather Service, state agencies and local governments.
  • Virginia Department of Transportation crews have begun full preparations for a significant winter weather event expected to impact the commonwealth Monday.
  • The Virginia National Guard has been authorized to bring up to 100 personnel on state active duty to support emergency response operations. Virginia Guard personnel have been alerted to begin staging and expect to be in place tonight so they are able to rapidly respond if needed.
  • The Virginia State Police will extend shifts and have additional troopers on patrol to expedite response times to traffic crashes and disabled motorists. 

Virginians should:

  • Be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for at least 72 hours, in case roads are blocked and/or there are power outages.
  • Prepare a three-day supply of food that includes a gallon of water per person per day and food that does not require electricity to prepare it.
  • Have a battery powered and/or hand-crank radio and extra batteries for emergency information.  Listen to local weather forecasts and instructions from local officials.
  • Always run generators outside in well-ventilated areas.  Never use a portable generator in any enclosed or partially enclosed space.
  • Only travel if absolutely necessary.  Roads can become very hazardous very quickly.  Always wear a seatbelt, and know road conditions before you leave.  Road condition information is available 24/7 by calling 511 or going towww.511Virginia.org
  • Have emergency supplies in your vehicle.  If you are stranded you will need water, food, blankets, flashlight and extra batteries at a minimum.
  • Avoid overexertion while shoveling snow and cleaning up from the storm, no matter your age or physical condition.  Shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse.
  • If you need help for an elderly or disabled person during the storm, need information on warming shelters or are concerned about an unsheltered individual or family, call 211 or visit www.211virginia.org.  When you call 211, a trained professional will suggest sources of help using one of the largest databases of health and human services in your community and statewide.
  • Get winter weather preparedness information at www.ReadyVirginia.gov and download the new Ready Virginia app for iPhones and Android devices.

Arlington Schools, Gov’t Closed Monday

By ARLnow.com

Snowy scene along Columbia Pike 1/26/11(Updated at 9:40 p.m.) All Arlington schools, courts and government offices will be closed Monday, the county announced Sunday night.

It’s at least the fifth time Arlington Public Schools have closed due to snow this school year.

“Essential personnel are to report to work as scheduled,” said APS spokeswoman Jennifer Harris. “Extracurricular activities, interscholastic contests, team practices, field trips, adult and community education classes, and programs in schools and on school grounds are canceled.”

All ART bus service has been suspended, in advance of a winter storm expected to drop 6-10 inches of snow Monday. Arlington’s western neighbor, the City of Falls Church, has declared a snow emergency now.

The Virginia Department of Transportation, meanwhile, is encouraging residents to leave their cars at home on Monday.

“By midnight tonight, 4,000 trucks will be staged along interstates, major roads and neighborhood streets in Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington counties,” VDOT said in a press release Sunday night. “Drivers should stay off the roads tomorrow… snow and frigid temperatures to northern Virginia.”

Staying off the roads should be easier for non-emergency federal workers — the Office of Personnel Management announced tonight that federal offices would be closed Monday.

Residents have been reporting a shortage of salt and other snow clearing supplies in local grocery and hardware stores.

“Gonna have a slick sidewalk [tomorrow],” said Twitter user @TheRhino26.

File photo

Winter Storm Watch Upgraded to Warning

By ARLnow.com

Update at 6:55 p.m. — The Office of Personnel Management has announced that federal offices will be closed Monday.

The National Weather Service has upgraded its previous Winter Storm Watch for Arlington and the D.C. region to a Winter Storm Warning.

Forecasters are calling for 6 or more inches of snow between midnight tonight and Monday afternoon.

… WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM EST MONDAY…

* PRECIPITATION TYPE… FREEZING RAIN… SLEET… AND HEAVY SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS… UP TO ONE TENTH INCH OF ICE… THEN 6 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW.

* TIMING… RAIN CHANGES TO FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET FROM NORTH TO SOUTH AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT… THEN BECOMES HEAVY SNOW LATE TONIGHT AND CONTINUING THROUGH MONDAY.

* TEMPERATURES… DROPPING FROM THE LOWER 30S AROUND MIDNIGHT TO THE MID 20S LATE TONIGHT… THEN LOWER 20S MONDAY.

* WINDS… NORTH 10 TO 15 MPH. GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH LATE TONIGHT AND MONDAY.

* IMPACTS… HAZARDOUS TRAVEL DUE TO ICE AND SNOW OVERNIGHT AND MONDAY. BOTH THE MONDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON RUSH HOURS WILL BE AFFECTED. POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE WITH THE COMBINATION OF ICE AND HEAVY SNOW.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

THIS WINTER STORM WARNING IS FOR HEAVY SNOW… SLEET… AND FREEZING RAIN AND MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF ICE AND SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE POWER OUTAGES. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL… KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT… FOOD… AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

NWS Warns of Monday Snow Storm

By ARLnow.com
Photo courtesy Robert Lauderdale

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Arlington and the rest of the D.C. region.

Forecasters say the region could get 5+ inches of snow Sunday night into Monday.

… WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON…

* PRECIPITATION TYPE… FREEZING RAIN… SLEET… AND SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS… POTENTIAL FOR FIVE OR MORE INCHES OF SNOW AND SLEET WITH SOME ICE ACCUMULATION FROM FREEZING RAIN ALSO POSSIBLE.

* TIMING… FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET LOOKS TO BEGIN OVERNIGHT SUNDAY WITH SNOW… HEAVY AT TIMES… LATE SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY.

* TEMPERATURES… IN THE LOWER 30S OVERNIGHT SUNDAY… MID TO UPPER 20S FOR MONDAY.

* WINDS… NORTH 5 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH.

* IMPACTS… POTENTIAL FOR HAZARDOUS TRAVEL OVERNIGHT SUNDAY FROM ICY ROADS… BECOMING SNOWY FOR MONDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

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

More Snow to Fall This Morning

By ARLnow.com

Forecasters are calling for another 1-3 inches of snow this morning (Wednesday).

Arlington and the D.C. area is currently under a Winter Weather Advisory. The National Weather Service says the flakes should stop falling by noon.

… WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO NOON EST WEDNESDAY…

* PRECIPITATION TYPE… SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS… 1 TO 3 INCHES.

* TIMING… SPREADING EAST BETWEEN 2 AND 4 AM. SNOW WILL END BY NOON.

* TEMPERATURES… MID TO UPPER 20S.

* WINDS… LIGHT AND VARIABLE… BECOMING WEST AROUND 10 TO 15 MPH BY NOON.

* IMPACTS… SNOW ACCUMULATION WILL AFFECT THE WEDNESDAY MORNING COMMUTE. UNTREATED ROADWAYS WILL BE SLICK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES… AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

NWS: Snow Will Continue This Afternoon

By ARLnow.com

A US Postal Service truck in the snow

Expect perhaps another inch or so of snow as the flakes keep falling early this afternoon, forecasters say.

The National Weather Service just issued a Winter Weather Advisory, which is in effect through 2:00 p.m. From NWS:

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM EST THIS
AFTERNOON…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON HAS
ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW…WHICH IS IN EFFECT
UNTIL 2 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON.

* PRECIPITATION TYPE…SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS…1 TO 3 INCHES.

* TIMING…THROUGH 2PM.

* TEMPERATURES…AROUND 30.

* WINDS…WEST 5 TO 10 MPH.

* IMPACTS…UNTREATED ROADWAYS WILL BE SLICK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES…AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

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