After snow, commuters face icy conditions
UPDATED Tuesday, 11:40 a.m.: Snowy roadways and frigid temperatures are creating treacherous commutes for many drivers and walkers Tuesday morning.
Bitter cold temperatures moved in overnight, freezing all the snow that fell Monday.
Many road continue to be covered in snow and slush, especially ramps and side streets. Snow-covered sidewalks are pushing pedestrians into the street, creating arduous travel conditions for both drivers and pedestrians.
"Having snow in March is not unusual, but having snow with an arctic air mass entrenched across our area in March, that is unusual…or at least fairly rare," says ABC7 Meteorologist Brian van de Graaff.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Temperatures plummeted into the single digits in the early morning and some areas reached record lows. Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport broke a 141-year-old record low temperature, reaching 4 degrees.
The record-challenging cold that started Tuesday morning is making the roads even worse. The snow on the ground has frozen, meaning lots of slick spots to start the day.
There will be plenty of sunshine for the next couple of days, but temperatures will remain well below average. Many areas will not climb out of the 20s Tuesday.
For Wednesday, expect partly cloudy skies and continued cold with highs in the 30s.
Get the full forecast on WTOP.com.
CLOSINGS & DELAYS:
The federal government and D.C. government will open on a two-hour delay.
Several area school systems will be closed Tuesday. Read the full list of closings and delays on WTOP.com.
TRAFFIC:
There are no major traffic delays at this time. For the latest traffic updates, follow @WTOPTraffic on Twitter.
Officials are still asking drivers to stay off the roads if possible. Many roads are covered in snow and slush, which has turned into ice -- especially on ramps and side streets.
Some highways in the region have been cleared and are in good condition.
Below are some notes for commuters:
- All Metrobus service was restored at 7 a.m. There will be snow detours for many routes, Metro says.
- Metrorail continues to run on a normal, weekday schedule.
- VRE, MARC and MTA's Commuter Bus will operate at full service on Tuesday.
- The snow emergency has been lifted in D.C. as at 9:30 a.m.
All three area airports are open, but all are warning of delays and cancellations and advise travelers to check with their airlines before heading to the airport.
LISTEN LIVE:
Hear the latest on weather and road conditions on WTOP.com.
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Greencastle Rd. closed between Robey Rd. and Pitcairn Pl. due to ice. #mocostormby mcpnews via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/3/2014 1:42:11 PM
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#mdtraffic | Crash with Injuries | Rt-295 NB at Hammonds Ferry Rd | Units on scene requesting two ambulance transport units | Use cautionby AA County 1st Alert via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/3/2014 1:40:15 PM
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All Metrobus service remains suspended until further notice due to weather conditions. 8:30a #wmataby Metrobus Info via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/3/2014 1:39:44 PM
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Metrorail is open, with service running a regular weekday schedule. 8:30p #wmataby Metrorail Info via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/3/2014 1:38:54 PM
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Stock your car with basic winter driving equipment: A scraper and brush, small shovel.by DC Police Department via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/3/2014 1:36:42 PM
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Connecticut ave in Kensington - plows can't keep up, can't see lanes! @nbcwashington @WTOPtraffic http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BhzlbZpIQAALJ0H.jpg
by annedc via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/3/2014 1:36:18 PM -
UPDATE: Glebe Road has reopened after earlier accident arlnow.com/2014/03/03/arl…by arlnow_dot_com via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/3/2014 1:30:24 PM
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Dominion Virginia Power's Chuck Bell tells WTOP the power company has crews ready to respond to power outages as the winter storm moves through the area. Dominion has staged resources and personnel across the region and additional assistance will be arriving from the Richmond area.
If you lose power, please alert your power company as soon as possible, even if you think your neighbor already has called. -
Memorial Bridge @WTOP #DCtraffic #wtopsnow . http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BhzSVJIIEAAmpZL.jpg
by roladad via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/3/2014 12:09:30 PM -
Traffic / Weather: Lots of spin out accidents ALREADY. Area emergency management urges you to stay off the roads to treat #snow #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 12:09:19 PM
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by WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 12:04:50 PM
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Best way to see the snow is out a window. Please leaving driving to emergency personnel only. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BhzK7eZIcAAlCCK.jpg (h/t @DepChiefHuchler )
by AlexandriaVAGov via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/3/2014 11:59:41 AM -
FYI: Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.Mar. 3, 2014
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MD #CollegePark Beltway Outer Loop at Rt 1: Crash, LEFT side #mdtraffic #dctraffic http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BhzP8WECUAIj9Pz.png
by WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 11:55:50 AM -
Maryland officials are urging state residents to refrain from traveling during Monday's winter storm if possible.Read more on WTOP.com.
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VA - Beltway Outer Loop at Gallows Rd (x51): Crash CLEARED, still only right side w/ tire tracks #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 11:51:36 AM
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VA #Newington I-95 NB btwn Lorton and Fairfax Co Prkwy: Crash, vehicles both sides, STAY CENTER. No braking distance #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 11:50:13 AM
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Reagan National Airport is quiet this morning as the word "canceled" flashes across reader boards, WTOP's Nick Ianelli reports. Airlines have canceled thousands of flights across the Eastern United States due to this winter storm. Check with your airline before you leave for the airport today.
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VA - Beltway Outer Loop at Gallows Rd (x51): LEFT side BLOCKED, crash. Only RIGHT lane w/ tire track path #vatraffic http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BhzMYUlCYAAMljV.png
by WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 11:40:15 AM -
LaPlata. Rt301 at Rt6. Flakes now mixing in w sleet #WTOPsnow #DCtraffic http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BhzMMNDIAAAp53o.jpg
by Kristi King via twitter 3/3/2014 11:39:26 AM -
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by WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 11:33:32 AM
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#Loudoun residents can enter their address at vdotplows.org to see the status of plowing in their neighborhood. @VaDOTNOVAby LoudounCoGovt via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/3/2014 11:33:20 AM
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DC / SW - Independence Ave WB at 15th / Raoul Wallenberg: BLOCKED due to downed wires #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 11:31:03 AM
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#LORTON NB I-95 near Lorton Rd(#163 ), CRASH blocks the RIGHT LANE, Units responding #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 9:00:43 AM
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VRE service will be cancelled Monday.
VRE Service Cancelled for Monday, March 3 http://t.co/zu9YRSXIMW
— VRE (@VaRailXpress) March 3, 2014 -
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The City of Manassas is declaring a Snow Emergency effective 8 p.m., March 2.This means cars parked along designated snow emergency routes are subject to towing and fines.Snow emergency routes in the City of Manassas are as follows: Dumfries Road/Route 234, Hastings Drive, Godwin Drive, Liberia Avenue, Richmond Avenue, Fairview Avenue,
Grant Avenue, Wellington, Road, Ashton Avenue, Cockrell Road, Nokesville
Road/Route 28, Center Street, Prescott Avenue, Sudley Road/Route 234, Church
Street, Zebedee Street, Centreville Road/Route 28, Mathis Avenue, Portner
Avenue and Euclid Avenue. -
Mongtomery County has declared a Snow Emergency beginning at midnight. With freezing rain and heavy snow expected through tomorrow, County officials urge residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
A Snow Emergency Declaration means that parking is prohibited along routes signed and marked as a “Snow Emergency Route.” Vehicles parked on emergency routes will be ticketed and towed. During a Snow Emergency, vehicles on the road must have all-weather or snow tires or chains. Residents are asked to move vehicles off-street if at all possible so snowplows can remove snow more efficiently. Taxicabs operating in Montgomery County during declared snow emergencies are allowed to charge $2.50 extra per trip.
All County parking lots and garages will offer free parking beginning at midnight tonight through Monday.
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Virginia Department of Transportation is warning drivers to avoid travel Monday due to potential treacherous conditions.By midnight tonight, 4,000 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.
- 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.
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by MD State Highway Adm via twitter 3/2/2014 11:01:08 PM
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All Metrobus service (all routes, all lines) will be suspended Monday morning due to expected hazardous weather conditions.
Metro's Emergency Operations Center will monitor weather and road conditions during the day on Monday to determine when service may be restored. Bus service will only be restored when it is safe to do so. Customers are encouraged to sign up for MetroAlerts for their route to receive updates.
Buses are expected to continue running until the last scheduled trips tonight.
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MetroAccess service suspended Monday due to winter storm
Due to the weather forecast and expected road conditions, all MetroAccess paratransit service will be suspended on Monday, March 3. Service will be restored when it is safe to do so; however a time for service restoration is not yet known.
In addition, the meeting of Metro's Accessibility Advisory Committee scheduled for Monday has been cancelled and will be rescheduled.
Additional service changes for Monday are possible.
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Does your bus get detoured in snow? Details and maps can be found here --> bit.ly/1cvn1yI #wmataby Metrobus Info via twitter 3/2/2014 8:39:30 PM
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All Metrobus service will be SUSPENDED Monday morning due to expected hazardous conditions bit.ly/1clHXOf #wmataby Metrobus Info via twitter 3/2/2014 8:39:25 PM
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Due to expected severe weather and travel delays, House votes scheduled for Monday have been postponed. #HouseScheduleby GOPLeader via twitter 3/2/2014 8:37:54 PM
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