The snow falling in Arlington is providing a wintry ambiance — but little accumulation to speak of so far.
That may change tonight as temperatures fall and roads are expected to become more slippery. Many seem to be heeding calls to stay at home, however, with only light traffic reported on Arlington’s primary routes and highways as of 6 p.m.
(Updated at 11:20 a.m.) Arlington is under a Winter Weather Advisory ahead of the arrival of snow today.
Forecasters say Arlington will get about 1-3 inches of accumulation, with snow starting this afternoon.
The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Thursday morning, saying it expects between up to 2 inches of snow.
The advisory is set for between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. NWS forecasts rain and snow before noon, followed by a chance of snow between noon and 3 p.m. as temperatures fall to around 30 by 5 p.m.
A brief bout of flurries earlier this morning was the last precipitation to fall as a result of our latest winter storm. Now comes the wind.
A Wind Advisory is now in effect, until 10 p.m. tonight. Gusty winds up to 55 mph could bring down waterlogged trees and branches, knocking out power.
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.
As locals eat their lunch, all eyes are on the skies. Snow — likely heavy snow — is about to start falling in Arlington.
County and state crews say they’re ready to tackle what’s expected to be a messy mix of precipitation throughout the day: snow to start, freezing rain as the sun sets, and then plain rain as temperatures warm after nightfall, before perhaps a brief changeover back to soggy snow in the early morning hours.
Arlington — and much of the D.C. region — is now officially under a Winter Storm Watch.
The watch was issued just before 3 p.m. Forecasters are calling for up to 5 inches of accumulating snow, but 1-3 inches is most likely, according to the National Weather Service.
A snow removal truck on Washington Blvd in Clarendon (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
If you didn’t already know, the brine lines on the roadways have told you by now: Arlington will likely see snow this weekend.
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."
Your kids and your trash will be staying at home until next week.
Arlington Public Schools just announced that it will be closed for the fifth school day in a row, in anticipation of 2-4 inches of snow overnight. Students have not been in class since before the winter break.
More snow is on the way.
The National Weather Service just issued a Winter Weather Advisory, saying 2-4 inches of accumulation is likely between Thursday night and Friday morning.
For the third day in a row, Arlington Public Schools students — and those that follow APS closures, like local preschools — will get another snow day.
The school system announced the closure shortly after 5 p.m., with the possibility of freezing rain in the forecast and with many neighborhood streets still covered in snow and ice.
