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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I/L at RT-236, pick up truck crash in the left lane #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 10:31:54 PM
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Tuesday Metro service announcedMetrorail will operate a regular, weekday schedule.Limited Metrobus service will operate on the following routes:
- District of Columbia: 32, 36, 52, 54, 70, 90, 92, A6/A8, S2, X2
- Maryland: 83, A12, C4, C22, D12, F4, J2, K6, P12, Q1, T18, Y9, Z8
- Virginia: 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 7A, 9A/REX, 10B, 16A, 22A/25A, 23A, 28A, 29N
Service will begin with the first scheduled trips of the morning. More routes could be restored as conditions improve.MetroAccess will resume service at noon Tuesday and the call center will open at 10 a.m. Riders should expect delays due to road conditions. - District of Columbia: 32, 36, 52, 54, 70, 90, 92, A6/A8, S2, X2
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A Southwest Airlines jet taxis past snow-clearing equipment at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, in Linthicum , Md., Monday, March 3, 2014. Snow and low temperatures gripped the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, causing more than than 2,700 flight cancellations in the United States as of Monday afternoon, according to flight tracking site FlightAware.com. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
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Outbound New York Ave, crash after Brentwood Pkwy, left lane gets by #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 10:19:05 PM
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No rest for the snow-wearyAPA passing snow plow covers a news reporter covering the aftermath of the snowstorm in New Jersey .Watch the video here: bit.ly/1lvazHA
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by KLFlocco via twitter 3/3/2014 10:07:27 PM
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E/B RT-50 after RT-704, long standing crash now clear #mdtraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 9:58:46 PM
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Snowballs fights in the middle of downtown Fredericksburg... Sun is out! http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bh1Zz7BIMAIZsdE.jpg
by Lauryn Ricketts via twitter 3/3/2014 9:58:11 PM -
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O/L near Van Dorn St, truck fire blocks the right side #vatraffic #dctraffic http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bh1XtjNCcAEYcAB.jpg
by WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 9:49:01 PM -
Along Arlington Boulevard in Falls Church. The side road I'm on is clearer than the main road @WTOP @WTOPtraffic http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bh1W2ukIcAAQJMO.jpg
by Michelle Basch via twitter 3/3/2014 9:45:16 PM -
by kayleyisherr via twitter 3/3/2014 9:43:45 PM
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by tewarren via twitter 3/3/2014 9:42:59 PM
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by tewarren via twitter 3/3/2014 9:42:52 PM
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S/B I-95 crash in the HOV's near the Prince William Pkwy now clear #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 9:28:52 PM
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I-95 N/B before the Occoquan, crash in the right lane #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 9:02:21 PM
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I-95 S/B HOV lanes near the Prince William Pkwy, crash to the right in the HOV's, response in the left thru lane #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 8:58:20 PM
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Montgomery County Snow Emergency UpdateMontgomery County will lift its snow emergency at 5 p.m. Monday. Parking will again be allowed along designated routes and taxis will charge regular fares.Parking will remain free at county-owned lots and garages for the remainder of the day.Drivers are asked to watch for pedestrians who are walking in the street. Property owners have 24 hours after the end of the snow to clear sidewalks.
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MT "@MontgomeryCoMD : County to lift Snow Emergency at 5 p.m. today. Parking remains free on Monday at County-owned lots and garages."by Michelle Basch via twitter 3/3/2014 8:53:36 PM
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by Reagan Airport via twitter 3/3/2014 8:53:11 PM
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Open for business! Main runway 1/19 reopened moments ago. We're expecting our first arrival shortly.by Reagan Airport via twitter 3/3/2014 8:53:10 PM
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Wilson & N. Glebe. Wilson is on left. Roads around Ballston Common Mall in lousy shape @WTOP @WTOPtraffic #Arlington http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bh1FR-QIQAA-Vk2.jpg
by Michelle Basch via twitter 3/3/2014 8:28:29 PM -
S/B I-95 near Dale City, crash now clear #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 8:05:14 PM
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I-95 S/B near Dale City, crash in the left lane #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 7:43:18 PM
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School Closing AlertPrince William County Public Schools will be closed Tuesday. See the full list of closings and delays here: http://bit.ly/gcCCQA.
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Ski resorts in the Sierra Nevada are short their typical 37 feet of snow.APYes, that's 37 feet of snow annually.Read the full story here.
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E/B I-66 before the Rosslyn Tunnel, all lanes open. #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 7:29:51 PM
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E/B I-66 before the Rosslyn Tunnel, crash confined to the right lane #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 7:25:04 PM
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Snow has stopped!!! #happy #finally http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bh01aDCIIAAIlrD.jpg
by Lauryn Ricketts via twitter 3/3/2014 7:19:08 PM -
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by steven geiger via twitter 3/3/2014 7:06:11 PM
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E/B I-66 before Rosslyn Tunnel crash closes the road #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 7:01:28 PM
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Thank goodness I can wear a hat: main purpose- covering my roots, not for warmth see ya on @NewsChannel8 at 2! http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bh0vNVyIMAA8HF5.jpg
by Lauryn Ricketts via twitter 3/3/2014 6:52:03 PM -
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by suitetalker via twitter 3/3/2014 6:50:10 PM
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by Ann Pauley via twitter 3/3/2014 6:50:00 PM
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by wdcscribe via twitter 3/3/2014 6:45:14 PM
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by emchristianson via twitter 3/3/2014 6:45:08 PM