Arlington and much of the D.C. area is now under a Winter Storm Warning.
The warning was issued just before 4 p.m. Saturday and will take effect starting 10 p.m. Sunday. The National Weather Service is predicting 5 inches to up to a foot of snow accumulation between Sunday night and early Tuesday morning.
The heavy snow is expected to make travel hazardous if not impossible in some spots. It’s also expected to result in widespread school and other cancellations for at least 1-2 days.
More on the warning, below, from NWS.
354 PM EST Sat Jan 4 2025
…WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM SUNDAY TO 1 AM EST TUESDAY…
* WHAT…Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 5 and 9 inches, with amounts of 10 to 12 inches possible in isolated spots if heavy banding sets up in this area. Ice accumulations of a trace possible near Interstate 66.
* WHERE…Portions of DC, central Maryland, and northern Virginia.
* WHEN…From 10 PM Sunday to 1 AM EST Tuesday. Highest snowfall rates occur overnight Sunday into early Monday morning. Snow may mix with sleet and perhaps some freezing rain Monday morning into the afternoon, especially right along the Interstate 66 corridor. A lull in precipitation will occur sometime during the afternoon.
* IMPACTS…Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening commutes.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
Persons should consider delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution. Consider taking a winter storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded.
Good question! Taking a look at the NWS forecast, they have precipitation starting between 9-11PM Sunday Night across Metro DC with it ending between 1-3AM Tuesday morning. #dcwx #vawx #mdwx https://t.co/0uyF5f6Tgf pic.twitter.com/U9iMIQ4cv8
— Washingtonian Weather Geeks (@WashingtonianWx) January 4, 2025
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency on Friday, ahead of the major winter storm that’s expected to dump snow from the Plains to the Mid-Atlantic.
“I am declaring a state of emergency for the incoming winter storm currently forecasted to impact Virginia starting Sunday, and I’m encouraging all Virginians, visitors, and travelers to stay alert, monitor the weather forecast, and prepare now for any potential impacts,” said Youngkin. ”If you find yourself needing to be on the roadways, please heed any warnings and make sure you are keeping yourselves and others safe.”
Arlington County started pretreating roads on Thursday and continued spreading a brine solution today, following Friday’s snowfall. Trash collection service has already been canceled for Monday.
VDOT, meanwhile, is also preparing for the storm and encouraging people to stay off the roads if at all possible. From a press release:
Motorists planning to travel to or through Virginia this weekend, including those returning home from holiday travel or heading back to school, should plan to travel on Saturday, ahead of predicted winter weather expected to impact roads Sunday into Monday.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will continue to pretreat roads in areas across the commonwealth where winter weather is expected. A mix of salt and water, called brine, is used to help prevent a bond from forming between the pavement and icy precipitation, making it helpful for crews to make roads passable. In some areas, crews are already treating roads impacted by Friday’s weather event. Pretreatment may not occur in areas where rain is expected ahead of snow and ice, as rain would wash away treatment making it ineffective.
With colder temperatures forecasted to remain low throughout and following the storm, hazardous travel conditions are expected. It is best not to travel during a winter weather event, however if travel is essential:
- Monitor the forecast for your planned route and limit travel based on roadway conditions.
- Allow more time to reach your destination.
- Drive at lower speeds and keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind other vehicles and trucks that are plowing the road.
- Don’t pass a snowplow or spreader unless it is absolutely necessary. Treat these as you would emergency response vehicles.
- Use caution in locations where pavement freezes first, including bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas.
- Keep an emergency supply kit in your car at all times in case of a breakdown or stoppage.
