Record low temperatures and several snowstorms have some in Arlington feeling like they live in the Arctic, but one local family is taking it to the next level.
Graeme Lee, his wife and two children built an igloo on the front yard of their home on the 3500 block of 14th Street N., near Virginia Square. The structure with room for two adults serves as a play space for the family’s children, and Lee even drank a beer there with a neighbor.
Many main roads were treated before the snow fell, making for an easy commute earlier this morning. The Arlington Public Schools cancellation and the federal government’s two hour delay resulted in much lighter traffic than usual.
As the snow has continued to fall throughout the morning commute, some neighborhood streets are now reported to be slick.
(Updated at 8:35 a.m.) Arlington Public Schools are closed Thursday.
APS made the call at 6:00 this morning, joining Alexandria, Fairfax County and numerous other local school systems that decided to close due to snow and poor road conditions.
Forecasters are only calling for 1-2 inches of snow, but even that could cause havoc because it is expected to be at its heaviest during the morning commute.
From NWS:
Through multiple snowstorms and historic cold, the George Washington University baseball team has endured, practicing and playing on its home turf in Arlington’s Barcroft Park.
Because Tucker Field at Barcroft Park is artificial turf, with the exception of the pitching mound, batter’s box and bullpen, the team has been able to practice outdoors most days, and has already played two home games; a win and a loss against the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Some 2,750 Dominion customers are reportedly without power in Arlington tonight (Saturday).
The outages appear to be centered around the Clarendon, Virginia Square, Cherrydale and East Falls Church neighborhoods.
Update at 6:10 p.m. — A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for Arlington and the D.C. area.
.. WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EST SUNDAY…
(Updated at 10:55 p.m.) Arlington County is under a Wind Chill Advisory throughout the day Thursday and much of Friday morning.
Wind chills are expected to fall below zero tonight, creating dangerous conditions for anybody spending time outside without proper clothing.
About 4-5 inches of snow fell in Arlington Monday night and Tuesday morning.
County crews worked throughout the night and day to clear primary and secondary roads, before starting to tackle neighborhood streets. Compared to past, disruptive snowstorms, they had some things working in their favor:
The snow squall will be followed by an arctic cold front that may produce record low temperatures Thursday and Friday.
From the National Weather Service:
Arlington Public Schools will open on a two hour delay Wednesday, the school system announced tonight (Tuesday.)
From APS, via email:
Many of the roads around Arlington remain unplowed as of 10:00 a.m., despite the sunshine and the end of the 4-5 inches of snowfall.
The federal and county governments are closed, as are many private offices, which sought to avoid asking employees to trek through hazardous driving conditions this morning. Many retail businesses decided not to open due to the storm either.
