Record snowfall leaves behind icy roads
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Record snowfall leaves behind icy roads

WASHINGTON - Slide-offs, spin-outs and overturned tractor-trailer crashes punctuated a long morning commute as the region dug out from underneath as much as a foot of snow. 

Icy conditions on area roadways led to crashes around the region, including some that closed portions of Interstates 95 and 66 Friday morning. 

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.


Courtesy Storm Watch 7 

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.  

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Temperatures on Friday will only crack the upper 20s to maybe 30 degrees.  The day will be sunny with record-challenging lows.

Overnight, temperatures will fall into the single digits and teens. Any snow that melts during the day will refreeze over night, creating more icy roads. 

Temperatures will warm Saturday. Look for partly cloudy skies Saturday with highs in the lower 40s. Sunday will be near 50 and come next week, highs will flirt with the 60 degree mark.

Some good news: Ricketts says from Friday, the next seven days are precipitation free!

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:

  • Routes 493 and 494 are not operating; use routes 371/372/373 and 401/402 as alternates for service between Lorton, Springfield, and Tysons via a transfer at Franconia-Springfield Station.
  • Route 980 is running reduced service (every 15 minutes)

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

  • Metrobus will restore service to all of its routes by 10:30 a.m. Read more here.

MetroAccess

  • MetroAccess paratransit service will remain suspended until at least noon Friday. The call center opens at 8 a.m.

Metrorail

  • All stations will open at 5 a.m. with train service both above- and below-ground
  • Customers should check WMATA.com before starting their trip

CLOSINGS & DELAYS:

Virtually all schools in the area have canceled classes for Friday. See the full list of closings and delays for schools and colleges on WTOP's closings and delays page.
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