You’re waking up to a snowglobe world of plows and closed offices.
Some 4-5 inches of snow have fallen so far, as of 8:30 a.m., with more expected for the next couple hours and then later today.
The federal government has closed D.C. area offices, Arlington County offices have “shifted to virtual operations,” and students from Arlington public schools to George Mason University are enjoying a snow day.
“Due to inclement weather, Arlington County Government will shift to virtual operations Monday, Jan. 6, 2025,” the county said last night. “All County facilities and the Courthouse are closed. All scheduled cases will be set on another date.”
Arlington Transit bus service is suspended indefinitely, as of 10 a.m., while Metrobus service continues but with numerous routes delayed.
“ART has extended SUSPENDED service until further notice due to increasing weather conditions. STAR will also continue SUSPENDED service with the exception of critical medical appointments,” said the transit agency. “We are actively monitoring these conditions and will provide ongoing updates. We encourage customers to say home if they do not need to go out. Stay safe!”
A Metrobus struck a pole near the intersection of S. Eads Street and 26th Street S. near Crystal City, among other local crashes reported this morning, according to scanner traffic.
In Falls Church, a snow emergency has been declared and emergency routes are being in effect.
“Snow Emergency Routes: Residents and visitors are not permitted to park along Emergency Routes during a City-declared Snow Emergency,” the city government said. “Vehicles abandoned or parked on snow emergency routes could be ticketed and towed to allow snow removal crews to clear the roads.”
Many local roads remain passable as of publication time, though traffic is light and travel remains treacherous. Virginia State Police say they responded to at least eight crashes on Northern Virginia highways overnight.
“Virginia State Police has increased the number of state troopers on the roads to respond to crashes, and state troopers are working 12 hour shifts,” VSP said.
Forecasters say periods of heavy snow will continue this morning. From the National Weather Service:
…HEAVY SNOW AND HAZARDOUS TRAVEL THIS MORNING…
Moderate to locally heavy snow will continue to move across eastern West Virginia, Northern Virginia, Washington DC, and central and southern Maryland early this morning, leading to deteriorating travel conditions. Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible, and visibility may drop to one quarter mile at times, which can make travel nearly impossible at times, or at least very dangerous. It is highly recommended to delay any travel that is not necessary. These heavier snow bands will depart from west to east between 5 and 10 AM.
Snow removal operations are in progress, with VDOT crews plowing state-maintained highways and main arteries like Glebe Road, and Arlington County in its Phase 2 of snow removal, which focuses on primary routes.
The county’s snow removal map shows plows including Luke Snowalker, Snowbusters, Sleetwood Mac, Plowseidon, Olaf, Plowy McPlowface, and Plow You Doin? all in operation.
