Arlington is a winter wonderland, but roads are in decent shape

Update at 12:45 p.m. — Roughly half or more of Arlington’s neighborhood streets have been cleared, according to the county’s snow removal map. ART bus routes are returning to normal service levels.

From Arlington Transit: "Due to improving road conditions, all ART routes will operate normal weekday service this afternoon and evening."

— Arlington Now (@ARLnowDOTcom) January 7, 2022

Earlier: It’s a snow day in Arlington, but getting around is not quite as treacherous as on Monday.

A smaller storm and more time to prepare have contributed to a much different situation on the roads.

About three inches of snow accumulation has been reported in Arlington — officially, 2.6 inches at National Airport — but cold temperatures have kept the snow light and fluffy. That compares to the 6.5-10 inches of snow from Monday’s storm, which started as rain and left a heavy wet layer of snow at the bottom.

Since 8 a.m., few significant traffic-related issues have been reported on police and fire radios.

Arlington County’s snow response remain in Phase 2 at last check, meaning crews are currently focusing on primary and secondary roads, leaving local roads snow-covered. Traffic cameras show visible pavement on most primary and secondary routes.

Colder temperatures will keep the overnight layer of snow light and manageable but go slow in case underneath there's ice leftover from earlier this week. Crews are making their way through Phase 2 of storm response. #ArlWX https://t.co/DuInmBchJW pic.twitter.com/JH1tMXXwsI

— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) January 7, 2022

Bus service is running this morning, but on severe weather schedules. Both Arlington Transit and Metro have suspended a number of routes. The ART routes suspended as of publication include 53, 61, 62, 74, 75 and 84.

Metrobus Operating Moderate Snow Plan – January 7: Buses will begin the service day on a moderate snow plan, January 7. Learn more at https://t.co/aunDSDeWZz

— Metrobus Info (@Metrobusinfo) January 7, 2022

Arlington Public Schools are closed today for the fifth day in a row, joining other major local school systems in declaring Friday a snow day, while Arlington County government facilities will open today on a delay, at 10 a.m.

Due to inclement weather, Arlington County Government will open facilities for in-person services at 10:00 am on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Visit the Closings, Delays & Cancellations page for details. https://t.co/0QHU4ZhGT6

— Arlington County (@ArlingtonVA) January 6, 2022

The rest of Friday is expected to be cold and windy, with a high near 30 and gusts up to 33 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Snowy sunrise in North Arlington ⛄️ @ARLnowDOTcom @capitalweather @ArlCoVAPatch @ArlingtonVA pic.twitter.com/kViszQTn2W

— Sandra L. Rodriguez (@SRod17) January 7, 2022

Flickr pool photo by Wolfkann