A combination of cold, wind and many snow-covered roads meant conditions were slick to start Friday, says WTOP Traffic's Jack Taylor.
Road conditions have improved since the morning hours, when many roads were still snow-packed or slush covered. Interstates have had a chance to dry out and the bright sun is helping to melt away any remaining snow elsewhere.
And crews will continue to plow and treat roads ahead of tonight's bitter cold temperature, which could turn any wet, slushy roads to ice.
Snow walloped the area Thursday, with nearly a half foot in the inner suburbs and more than a foot in parts of Maryland. The snowfall eclipsed records at Dulles and Reagan National.
High pressure is moving in through the afternoon and the bright sun will melt some of the snow, but temperatures won't rise above the freezing mark, says Storm Watch 7 Meteorologist Lauryn Ricketts.
Virtually all schools in the D.C. area have closed and many businesses in the region are following suit, allowing employees to telework. The federal government opened two hours late, which contributed to a late delay.
Those who ventured out encountered major delays along some of the interstates because of morning crashes, which occurred due to icy conditions.
TRAFFIC:
Ice-covered roads were reported in Arlington, which effectively ran out of salt.
Drivers should also clear all of the snow off their cars before getting on the road, including the roof, hood and trunk areas before leaving the driveway or garage.
COMMUTING:
Montgomery County’s Ride
On bus will operate under a normal schedule Friday.
Fairfax Connector is running regular weekday service Friday with some exceptions:
In Alexandria, DASH buses and the King Street Trolley will not run until 8 a.m. Friday. They say a decision will be made on the schedule soon.
Annapolis Transit suspended all service at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. No word yet on Friday's schedule.
Amtrak will run on a modified service in the Northeast Corridor Friday.
VRE service Operating "S" Schedule for Friday.
MARC-Penn Line S schedule on Friday, No Camden or Brunswick Line service.
DC Circulator has suspended service on all routes.
Metrobus
MetroAccess
Metrorail
Wow, those @CampbellAPS @WeatherBug students are awesome. Just gave the weekend outlook and rocked it! @EileenABC7 http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_98uPaVEAArUDT.jpg
After cool start highs today peak in the 50s despite increasing clouds. Showers late day S & W, metro after dark! http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_-Dr__UIAIWqSL.png
Happy Friday the 13th!! The weekend is upon us. Here's the forecast. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_-BGNoWUAAqCdh.png
Bald Eagles Nest! @NationalArboretum in NE. Chicks may have already hatched! #WTOP bit.ly/19gtpz7 http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_-hH-TWsAEZFCW.jpg
How many #BaldEagle chicks? @USFWSHQ checks nest @NationalArboretum in late March #WTOP bit.ly/19gtpz7 http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_-iMy6WgAAiDVy.jpg
It might be #FridayThe13th but the sunrise was a beauty! @JacquiJeras @EileenABC7 @ABC7Brian http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_-uvE2WgAAACqZ.jpg
Bald Eagle Nest @NationalArboretum may already have chicks! #WTOP bit.ly/19gtpz7 http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_-4NQfUkAAS03u.jpg
You can hang! MT @WeatherBug: @MelanieNews8 @EileenABC7 @ABC7Brian @campbellAPS This @WeatherBug feels left out. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_-fIDSW4AA2NpV.jpg
The @RunningWxman is ready for the @rocknroll marathon tmrw! Forecast: Rain & 40s...Ergo the trash bag to stay dry ;) http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B__FoN4WMAAJuFC.jpg
Celebrating @DaveZahrenABC7 25th Anniversary! @RyanMillerABC7 @EileenABC7 @alexliggitt TY @SteveRudinABC7 for food http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAESygwWsAApP2a.jpg
Congrats to Stormwatch 7 team member @DaveZahrenABC7 for 25 years at @ABC7News @NewsChannel8. All around great guy! http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAEfYEpVIAAA2d6.jpg
How much rain has fallen over the past couple of days? Here's a look: http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAJexalW4AAepM7.png
Temperatures chilly right now, but you'll hardly need a jacket later with highs in the low to mid 60s. #LayerUp http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CANT112UkAAPUX-.png
You flatter me :) RT @kevinmhannigan: Look at that sky! It's amazing what @ABC7Brian is capable of creating. #GORGE http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CANw5_XU8AAJqLI.jpg
#LifeChanging! EASY way to fold a #FITTEDsheet: bit.ly/1x8eaDf http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAOe92IWYAAQ-8F.jpg
Stunner MT:@MartinMMC: Filling in on the AM shift has its benefits! We had a beautiful sunrise over Downtown Norfolk http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAOcIS9UkAALWAT.jpg
REPAIRED: 10inch water line that flooded homes at Cunningham Dr & Osage St near College Park #WTOP http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAScE3SWEAA6xQO.jpg
While work on broken line repaired - utility pole propped up at Cunningham Dr & Osage St near College Park #WTOP http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAScOvVXIAAJ7c1.jpg
Flooding fr broken 10inch line at Cunningham Dr & Osage St flowed past each side of this neighboring home #WTOP http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAScWGwWoAAeZcg.jpg
Just need to fill hole and repave Cunningham Dr & Osage St near College Park #WTOP http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CASccE0WsAAOxCZ.jpg
Flood/Repairs to 10inch water line messy to lawns #WTOP http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAScxrUWQAAgSo1.jpg
Even our temperature map is in the spirit of St. Patrick's Day! Mild start across the D.C. area. Enjoy while it lasts http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CASUN4cUYAAG2Yz.png
Temperatures are running from 9 to 29 degrees warmer than this point yesterday! Grab a jacket for later today! http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CASf190UkAAx88v.png
Here ya go! RT @SteveRudinABC7: Are you wearing #green today? If so, snap a pic and tweet it to me. @ABC7News http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CATZer2VAAEUVY9.jpg
Love it! RT @EricUnbekannt: Happy St. Patricks day to all of you ! RT @ABC7Brian @kellyelynn1 @MelanieNews8 http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CATcTygUIAAB3-E.jpg
We jumped 17 degrees in one hour downtown. Currently 71 degrees at @ReaganAirport despite the overcast. @alexliggitt http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CATxmX_UkAAiMte.png
We jumped 17 degrees in one hour downtown. Currently 71 degrees at @Reagan_Airport despite the overcast. @alexliggitt http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CATyD3wUcAA4OS_.png
12 hours of daylight today! (up at 7:17A - down at 7:17P) 14 hours and 54 minutes by late June. Thx @alexliggitt http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAT0heoUsAAfqn_.png
Don't need a jacket right now but you will if you are out late tonight or early tomorrow! Projected wind chills! http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAT1Fo3W4AAuFwH.png
Great #aurora photo from Tyler Kimbar in Ashby, MA. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAWtfWgVEAAq6cN.jpg
1st day of spring, Friday, rainy & raw w/ some wet flakes in the morning. Grassy accumulations possible N&W. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAYBgPhVEAAwVFN.png