Brine lines and road salt are still being applied to county streets and state highways across Arlington, in advance of tonight’s wintry weather.
A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from 9 p.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday, for expected sleet and freezing rain.
Authorities from Virginia State Police to Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services are encouraging anyone out tonight and tomorrow to take extra precautions due to the likelihood of slippery conditions.
Prime roadways, secondaries, bridges and known trouble spots are being brined ahead of the wintry mix forecast for overnight. Tomorrow morning could be seriously slippery so plan ahead to go slow if you have to be somewhere. #ArlWX https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/PSCEM/Emergency-P…
— Department of Environmental Services Arlington, Virginia (@arlingtondes.bsky.social) February 5, 2025 at 8:57 AM
From a Virginia State Police press release:
As the Virginia State Police prepares for potential icy precipitation in portions of the Commonwealth, Virginians are encouraged to get ready and plan ahead, too. Forecasts are currently calling for potential icy and slick conditions in northern and western Virginia. Areas impacted could include Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Winchester, and the Washington, D.C., area. The storms impacts are expected Wednesday and early Thursday.If you have to travel during the storm, drivers are reminded to do the following:
- Use headlights. Increasing your visibility helps you to avoid slick and dangerous spots on the road, as well as helps other drivers see you better.
- Slow your speed. Though state police works closely with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to identify problem areas on Virginia’s highways during a winter storm, drivers still must drive for conditions. Slowing your speed gives you more time to safely react and avoid a crash. Drive your vehicle based on your ability to properly maintain control of your vehicle.
- Don’t tailgate. You need increased stopping distance on slick road surfaces. Give yourself more space between vehicles traveling ahead of you to avoid rear end collisions.
- Buckle Up. Most crashes that occur during winter weather are caused by vehicles sliding into guardrails, off the road or other vehicles. Wearing your seat belt protects you from being thrown around the inside of your vehicle and suffering serious injury in a crash.
- Check Your Vehicle. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order for the conditions. Fill up the tank in advance. Check windshield wipers, windshield wiper fluid, tire tread, battery life, etc.
- Don’t leave home without a window scraper, blanket, bottled water, snack, cell phone charger and flashlight.
For the latest in road conditions and updates, please call 511 on a cell phone or go online to the VDOT Virginia Traffic Information Website at www.511virginia.org [511virginia.org].
Virginians are advised to only call 911 or #77 on a cell phone in case of emergency. It is essential to keep emergency dispatch lines open for those in serious need of police, fire or medical response.
From the National Weather Service:
Winter Weather Advisories have been expanded to include the remainder of the forecast area. The bulk of the wintry precipitation is expected to fall later tonight, before changing over to rain Thursday. For more details, see: https://t.co/ZOlvEShgSf pic.twitter.com/LcOGvroQid
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) February 5, 2025
