Weather

UPDATED: Driving becoming more treacherous as roads are increasingly snow-covered

By ARLnow.com
1/21

Update at 5:45 p.m. — After a period of heavy snow, the transition to sleet and freezing rain is underway, potentially making travel even more hazardous. 

There have been several reports of crashes around Arlington, including a crash that felled a county light pole and closed southbound George Mason Drive near S. Frederick Street. There are also reports of disabled vehicles partially blocking traffic, including a Mercedes reportedly stuck on Route 50 at Fillmore Street.

Despite the weather, some local businesses remained open tonight, including William Jeffrey’s Tavern and Caspi Restaurant along Columbia Pike, where customers could be seen inside eating and drinking while watching today’s playoff football games.

Earlier: Roads across Arlington are largely snow-covered — or at least slushy, in the case of major routes — despite the work of county and state crews.

Driving conditions are difficult, and likely to get worse as heavier snow is headed north, while sleet and freezing rain is expected to start falling around sunset. Authorities are urging those who don’t need to drive to stay inside.

Arlington Transit buses are currently operating on a severe service schedule. Due to the expected volume of calls, Arlington County police have been told to handle crashes through forms given to drivers rather than a more involved reporting process.

Arlington’s snow response is currently in Phase 2, meaning that crews are focusing only on primary and secondary routes, not neighborhood streets.

More scenes from around town via social media, below.

Matt Blitz contributed to this report