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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Tourists, who flock to the nation's capital 365 days a year, were seeking out whatever activities they could find Monday.
The National Air and Space Museum was the only Smithsonian institution open, and it drew a crowd. Among the visitors were Russ Watters, 60, of St. Louis, and his 14-year-old son, Seth, who was touring Washington with his 8th-grade class.
"We're trying to find stuff that's open, so this is open," Watters said.
What would you suggest tourists do when weather strikes?
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The seemingly endless winter dumped a half a foot snow on the ground in parts of the South, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, and those areas braced Tuesday morning for something even more unusual in March: a blast of arctic air that was expected to send temperatures plummeting into the single digits.
Washington has recorded a low temperature in the single digits in March only two times in recorded history -- and the previous two were in 1872 and 1873, according to the National Weather Service. Other parts of the Northeast could also see record lows for the month of March and much of the South will start Tuesday below freezing.
Blame it on a return of the "polar vortex."
Read more on WTOP.com.
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No Change #RooseveltBridge EB I-66 after the GW Pkwy, RIGHT LANE gets by the CRASH #vatraffic #dctraffic http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bh4RYk6CYAAUiza.png
by WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/4/2014 11:20:13 AM -
VA #Fairfax Co Prkway SB at Huntsmand Blvd: ALL LANES stopped by accident response #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/4/2014 11:17:22 AM
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REMINDER: Expect icy conditions in these bitter cold temps! Please plan to double your normal drive time. ow.ly/udi4N #MDwxMar. 4, 2014
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In VA, ONLY the following bus routes are operating as of 5AM: 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 7A, 9A/REX, 10B, 16A, 22A & 25A.by Metrobus Info via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/4/2014 10:22:38 AM
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RT @dePompaWTOP : @WTOPtraffic #PlowTain preparing for #DCtraffic http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bh4ChoZIMAA7CAa.jpg
by WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/4/2014 10:16:06 AM -
In MD, ONLY the following bus routes are operating as of 5AM:
83, A12, C4, C22, D12, F4, J2, K6, P12, Q1, T18, Y9 & Z8.by Metrobus Info via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/4/2014 10:14:25 AM -
#GAITHERSBURG SB I-270 at Clopper Rd(#10 ), CRASH on the RIGHT SHOULDER, Units on scene #mdtraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/4/2014 10:14:17 AM
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a bit damp from last night's rain, nothing bad. MT @WTOP : What kind of road conditions are you seeing this morning?Mar. 4, 2014
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Mar. 4, 2014- Reply
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Good morning! Turn on #WTOP this morning for the latest on the road conditions and weather updates bit.ly/wVqBAqby WTOP via twitter 3/4/2014 10:11:27 AM
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Drive in to work this morning was not great. Through D.C., side roads were awful, stop & start with lights a challenge for my car #wtopsnowMar. 4, 2014
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What kind of road conditions are you seeing this morning? Let us know with #WTOPsnow bit.ly/1eRzv3Pby WTOP via twitter 3/4/2014 10:10:58 AM
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Kellie Boulware with Maryland State Highway joins WTOP at 5:20 a.m. Listen live: bit.ly/wgowcL #WTOPsnowby WTOP via twitter 3/4/2014 10:10:53 AM
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#ROOSEVELTBRIDGE EB I-66 after the GW Pkwy, RIGHT LANE gets by the CRASH, Units responding #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/4/2014 10:09:19 AM
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Manassas train 324 (departs Broad Run at 5:45 am) is canceled due to mechanical problems. Trains 322 and 326 will operate on time.by VRE via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/4/2014 10:06:52 AM
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RT @dePompaWTOP : @WTOPtraffic If driving, don't be too confident, if the road looks wet it's #ice #caution #dctraffic http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bh3_zwBIQAAdwV3.jpg
by WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/4/2014 10:06:25 AM -
.WTOPtraffic If driving, don't be too confident, if the road looks wet it's #ice #caution #dctraffic http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bh3_zwBIQAAdwV3.jpg
by Mary de Pompa via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/4/2014 10:06:03 AM -
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The Fairfax Connector will operate on a normal weekday schedule Tuesday. Visit the website for more information.
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Metrorail opens at 5 a.m. running a regular weekday schedule. ow.ly/udeWO #wmataby Metrorail Info via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/4/2014 9:59:15 AM
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#TRIANGLE NB I-95 after Route 619(#150 ), Medical Emergency in a Car blocks the RIGHT LANE at MM 151, Units on scene #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/4/2014 9:57:22 AM
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#MCLEAN Outer Loop at Georgetown Pike(#44 ), TWO LEFT LANES get by the CRASH with a Truck on its side #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/4/2014 9:50:15 AM
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Today's guessing game - How Many Traval Lanes? #DCtraffic #WTOP http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bh38CS5IgAA89tj.jpg
by Kristi King via twitter 3/4/2014 9:46:57 AM -
Which Metrobus routes run on a Severe Snow Service Plan? Find out here: ow.ly/udca1 #wmataby Metrobus Info via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/4/2014 9:36:02 AM
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#MCLEAN Outer Loop at Georgetown Pike(#44 ), CRASH with a Truck on its side blocks TWO RIGHT LANES, Units on scene #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/4/2014 9:10:13 AM
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#MCLEAN Outer Loop at Georgetown Pike(#44 ), CRASH with a Truck on its side blocks TWI RIGHT LANES, Units on scene #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/4/2014 9:08:59 AM
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#FREDERICKSBURG NB I-95 before the Rappahannock River Bridge, DEBRIS in the LEFT LANE(Orange Barrel) #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/4/2014 9:06:41 AM
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#MCLEAN Outer Loop at Georgetown Pike(#44 ), CRASH blocks the RIGHT SIDE, Units responding #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/4/2014 9:05:33 AM
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In a cab on the way home from Dulles. Fairfax Co Pkwy is a sheet of ice @WTOPtraffic @WTOPby Sarah Miller Bate via twitter 3/4/2014 7:20:48 AM
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#WARRENCO EB I-66 east of Rte 340/522(#6 ), LEFT LANE gets by the Tractor Trailer CRASH Cleanup, Units remain on scene #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/4/2014 7:01:34 AM
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Commuter Bus - Full service on all routes tomorrow, please be EXTRA careful driving to station and boarding the bus tinyurl.com/Cbadvisoryby MTA Maryland via twitter 3/4/2014 4:19:02 AM
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Crews are working overnight to manage trouble spots & continue clean up along state routes. Expect ice though with the frigid temps.by MD State Highway Adm via twitter 3/4/2014 4:16:52 AM
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Tomorrow's Clarendon Mardi Gras Parade postponed by the weather. Plan is to reschedule soon: clarendon.org @WTOP @Clarendon_orgby Michelle Basch via twitter 3/4/2014 1:40:47 AM
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I/L afetr the I-270 Spur, crash now clear. #mdtraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/3/2014 11:39:36 PM
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by cefilby via twitter 3/3/2014 11:36:33 PM