The temperature had dropped from 34 degrees to 19 degrees from midnight to 8:00 a.m. in Arlington, according to ABC7 meteorologist Ryan Miller. Light, fluffy snow is falling in sheets, blown by 20-30 mile per hour wind gusts.
Forecasters are calling for 6-10 inches of snow to fall by the time the storm tapers off tonight.
It’s at least the fifth time Arlington Public Schools have closed due to snow this school year.
“Essential personnel are to report to work as scheduled,” said APS spokeswoman Jennifer Harris. “Extracurricular activities, interscholastic contests, team practices, field trips, adult and community education classes, and programs in schools and on school grounds are canceled.”
Update at 6:55 p.m. — The Office of Personnel Management has announced that federal offices will be closed Monday.
The National Weather Service has upgraded its previous Winter Storm Watch for Arlington and the D.C. region to a Winter Storm Warning.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Arlington and the rest of the D.C. region.
Forecasters say the region could get 5+ inches of snow Sunday night into Monday.
Snow Leads to Numerous Accidents — Numerous accidents were reported around Arlington this morning due to snow-slickened streets. Accidents were reported on Route 50 near Carlin Springs Road, Lee Highway and Key Blvd at N. Rhodes Street, and on N. George Mason Drive across from Lubber Run Park. As of 9:00 a.m. the accident on Route 50 was still reportedly causing traffic backups.
No Tickets for Snow Removal Violations — Arlington County has not handed out any tickets or fines for violations of the county’s snow removal ordinance so far this winter. The ordinance requires home and business owners to shovel their sidewalks within 24-36 hours of the end of a snow storm. County Manager Barbara Donnellan told the County Board yesterday that it had received 118 snow removal-related complaints, but each time a property owner was notified of a violation they “took care of it.” [Sun Gazette]
Forecasters are calling for another 1-3 inches of snow this morning (Wednesday).
Arlington and the D.C. area is currently under a Winter Weather Advisory. The National Weather Service says the flakes should stop falling by noon.
Expect perhaps another inch or so of snow as the flakes keep falling early this afternoon, forecasters say.
The National Weather Service just issued a Winter Weather Advisory, which is in effect through 2:00 p.m. From NWS:
Arlington Public School are opening on a two hour delay today due to snow.
Reagan National Airport received 0.3 inches of snow overnight, according to the National Weather Service.
Arlington and other parts of the D.C. area could get another 1-2 inches of snow overnight.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory, warning of slick roads during the morning commute.
The Chalice Theatre is rehearsing in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, at the corner of S. George Mason Drive and Arlington Blvd. Show director Cynthia Young compared the cast and crew of the show to the pioneers the play is based on.
“Pioneers coped with ever-present danger — prairie fires, wild animals, drought, tornadoes, and even murderous criminals — and they survived by cultivating community,” Young said in a press release. “We try to have the same courageous attitude as the characters in the show. Whatever Snowklahoma brings, we’re going to pull together. So come on down, Polar Vortex, we’re not ‘a-feered’ of you!”
(Updated at 5:15 p.m.) Some crafty Arlingtonians spent part of yesterday’s snow day creating sculptures from the especially wet and moldable snow.
Among the creations spotted around town:
Va. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional — A federal judge has overturned Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban, in what the New York Times describes as “the strongest legal reversal yet of restrictive marriage amendments that exist throughout the South.” The judge stayed the ruling, pending an appeal, meaning that gay couples will still not be able to get married in Virginia for the time being. [New York Times, Blue Virginia]
Blue Goose Redevelopment a Year or More Away — A groundbreaking on the redevelopment of Marymount’s “Blue Goose” building in Ballston is not likely to take place until next winter at the earliest. [Sun Gazette]
