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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WB I-66 after RT-123, one broken down in the right lane #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/5/2015 10:11:26 AM
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Many DC public charter schools will be closed tomorrow due to inclement weather bit.ly/1Niy8jp #snowday @capitalweather @ABC7Brian
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Surprise for work tomorrow. @alexliggitt @JacquiJeras @EileenABC7 @ABC7Brian @DevonLucie @laurynricketts http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_T9O-MU0AAi8G6.jpg
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CENTREVILLE VA I-66 EAST at Exit 52 Crash | Get By Two Lanes Left #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/5/2015 2:57:56 AM
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ALEXANDRIA Beltway OL NB Before Exit 174\DV Truck Clear\ Lanes Open\ No Delay #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/5/2015 1:40:56 AM
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MARRIOTTSVILLE I-70 West 1 Mile Before Exit 83 Stay LEFT to Miss a BIG POTHOLE #mdtraffic #baltotrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/5/2015 1:36:31 AM
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WHITE OAK US 29 at Lockwood \ Crash Cleared. Signal light Delays Remain. #mdtraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/5/2015 1:30:26 AM
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Don't Crowd the First Plow! @NewsInTheBurg @WTOPtraffic @CBS6 @VaDOTFRED http://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_S3KmZXEAAyWQt.jpg
by Stafford County FR via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/5/2015 1:16:41 AM -
ALEXANDRIA BELTWAY OL NB To Exit 174 DV Truck Blocking Second Lane From Left (Lane 2) #vatraffic #dctrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/5/2015 1:14:17 AM
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HAYMARKET US 15 South of VA55 | RR Gates Stuck Down Drivers Diverted #vatraffic #trafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/5/2015 1:01:44 AM
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MD Outer Loop after Rt 355 at I-270; Crash. Only one lane gets by on Outer Loop and I-270 traffic can't exit. #dctraffic #mdtrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/6/2014 11:35:49 PM
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Greenbelt-bound Green Line trains will now service Waterfront & L'Enfant Plaza. 6:29p #wmataby Metrorail Info via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/6/2014 11:30:20 PM
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Due to road work & vehicle accidents along I-395 from Pentagon to Alexandria, bus routes are significantly delays in both directions.by Metrobus Info via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/6/2014 11:11:32 PM
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GR/YL service: YL running to Greenbelt; Greenbelt-bound GR trains will bypass Waterfront & L'Enfant Pl. Use Archives to travel back. #wmataby Metrorail Info via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/6/2014 11:04:34 PM
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MD I-95 NB after Rt 32; Earlier crash on left shoulder. #dctraffic #mdtrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/6/2014 11:03:41 PM
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Green Line: Consider Red Line as alternate btwn Gallery Place & Fort Totten. Person struck by train at Waterfront.by Metrorail Info via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/6/2014 10:50:16 PM
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X1,X2,X3: Due to traffic congestion near 19th & Benning Rd NE, buses are running up to 15 minutes behind schedule.by Metrobus Info via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/6/2014 10:01:02 PM
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MD Rt 50 EB b4 Rt 197; Crash left side at least 2 lanes maybe 3, now getting by. #dctraffic #mdtrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/6/2014 9:56:54 PM
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I-395 SB HOV'S after Duke St; Incident w/contruction equipment; Traffic is being diverted off HOV's b4 Edsall. #dctraffic #vatrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/6/2014 9:55:58 PM
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H3,H4,W2: Buses have resumed normal routing following earlier detours for utility work.by Metrobus Info via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/6/2014 9:53:16 PM
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by WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/6/2014 9:37:49 PM
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MD Rt 50 EB b4 Rt 197; Crash left side. #dctraffic #mdtrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/6/2014 9:24:20 PM
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A-Line, W2: Due to construction near MLK Jr Ave & Mellon St SE, Metrobus svc may be delayed in both directions.by Metrobus Info via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/6/2014 8:08:10 PM
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Vehicle Accident - Minnesota Ave. SE and Burns St. SE - Units enroute. #dctrafficby DC Fire and EMS via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/6/2014 8:08:06 PM
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LEESBURG - CORRECTION, ACCIDENT NOT ON RTE 15, RTE 15 IS OPEN. LIMESTONE SCHOOL ROAD IS CLOSED A MILE EAST OF RTE 15.by LoudounSheriff via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/6/2014 8:01:52 PM
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Red Line: Expect residual delays to Glenmont due to an earlier train malfunction at White Flintby Metrorail Info via twitter retweeted by WTOPtraffic 3/6/2014 7:46:39 PM
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Hagerstown; I-81 NB at Showalter Rd(near Hagerstown Airport); Crash. Only 1 right lane gets by. #dctraffic #mdtrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/6/2014 6:52:17 PM
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MD PG Inner loop near Ritchie Marlboro; Work zone blocking right lane. Mobile work party also in right lane. #dctraffic #mdtrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/6/2014 6:44:00 PM
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MD MoCo; Outer Loop near Connecticut Ave; Mobile work zone left side. #dctraffic #mdtrafficby WTOP Traffic via twitter 3/6/2014 6:43:04 PM