Update at 11:20 p.m. — The National Weather Service confirms that an EF-0 tornado tracked through Arlington and into the District on Thursday.
Earlier: The storms that whipped through Arlington and the D.C. region yesterday brought power outages and damage, and more trees toppled today, according to the Arlington County Fire Department.
(Updated at 2:50 p.m.) A severe thunderstorm that ripped through Arlington just after lunchtime has left some debris and damage in its wake.
In Pentagon City, part of the facade and roof of the Macy’s at the Pentagon City mall was damaged and a portion of it fell onto a car. One minor injury has been reported. As of 2:45 p.m., workers were on the roof inspecting the damage.
(Updated at 1:30 p.m.) A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for Arlington County.
From the National Weather Service:
The rain may cause some minor flooding problems on the roadways and along streams, forecasters say.
“Rain will be locally heavy at times through this evening,” said the National Weather Service. “Localized flooding of small streams and creeks as well as urban areas is possible late this morning into this evening.”
Arlington County and other D.C. area jurisdictions are under a Dense Fog Advisory this morning.
From the National Weather Service:
Arlington’s snow removal ordinance requires that sidewalks be shoveled within 24 hours of the end of a snow event with six inches or less of accumulation. As far as the county is concerned, Tuesday’s snowstorm ended at 2 p.m., and thus the sidewalk deadline today is 2 p.m.
If you’ve procrastinated, you might be in for a tough task. Temperatures in the low 20s means that uncleared snow and sleet has turned into a barely penetrable mat of ice.
Frigid, icy conditions have prompted Arlington Public Schools to open on a two-hour delay today.
From APS:
A refreeze overnight will turn what melted following this morning’s snow and sleet storm into a hazard on roads and sidewalks.
Despite efforts to plow and salt the streets, VDOT is warning that barely-visible black ice could cause accidents during the Wednesday morning commute.
Local roads remain partially snow and slush covered, though traffic is very light. ART buses are operating on a “severe” service schedule, while Metrobuses are operating on a “moderate” snow plan. The Metrorail system is open and operating on a Saturday schedule.
APS announced just after 4 a.m. that it would be closed today.
Arlington County, Virginia State Police and other local jurisdictions and agencies are bracing for the late-season snowstorm that’s expected to bring several inches of snow and sleet to our region starting tonight.
After-school activities and sporting events are being cancelled en masse tonight and officials are preparing for what may be a messy commute at best or major travel disruptions at worst tomorrow. In addition to problems on the roads, widespread flight cancellations are also expected at local airports.
(Updated at 6:25 p.m.) Arlington and a large portion of the D.C. area is now under a Winter Storm Warning.
A “monster nor’easter” could bring a half foot of snow or more to the area from Monday night into Tuesday. Other coastal northeastern cities are also in the storm’s path.
Update at 5:45 p.m. — A Wind Advisory has been issued for Arlington and the region. From the National Weather Service:
… WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST THURSDAY… THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY, WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST THURSDAY. * TIMING… LATE THIS EVENING THROUGH MID-MORNING THURSDAY. * WINDS… WEST TO NORTHWEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS AROUND 50 TO 55 MPH. * IMPACTS… STRONG WINDS MAY BLOW DOWN LIMBS, TREES, AND POWER LINES. SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WIND GUSTS OF 50 TO 55 MPH ARE EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. &&
