The earlier Winter Storm Watch for Arlington and the D.C. area is now a Winter Storm Warning.
The National Weather Service issued the warning just after 10 a.m., predicting that this weekend’s storm will drop 7-14 inches of snow and sleet. Freezing rain is also looking likely, with the ice potentially causing tree damage and power outages.
With a state of emergency declared in Virginia over forecasts of heavy snowfall this weekend, it may be time to brush up on Arlington’s snow removal ordinance.
The ordinance goes into effect after snow stops falling, but it varies based on how much accumulation there is. Penalties also vary based on the length of the sidewalk.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger has declared a state of emergency ahead of this weekend’s snowstorm, which is expected to bring power outages along with heavy accumulation throughout Virginia.
The newly inaugurated governor signed an executive order today declaring an emergency “due to severe winter weather,” with the most severe impacts expected Saturday and Sunday. The D.C. area is likely to get more than 5 inches of snow, with double-digit accumulation also possible, according to a Winter Storm Watch issued today.
The threat of a major winter storm this weekend is now “high,” according to the National Weather Service.
The weather service said D.C. area residents should start preparing now for the storm, which is expected to begin Saturday afternoon or evening and peak Sunday morning.
Arlington’s Pedestrian Advisory Committee is pressing county and state leaders to do more to keep public walkways clear after winter storms.
Committee members have agreed to send a letter with a list of suggestions to County Manager Mark Schwartz, hoping to potentially improve conditions this winter or in future years.
What was once only expected to be a coating to an inch of snow could be more like 1-3 inches.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Arlington, the District and other parts of the immediate D.C. area, with snow expected to start falling early Sunday.
It might not have snowed Wednesday morning, but there’s another chance of wintry weather Thursday morning.
An early New Year’s Day snowfall is possible, prompting Arlington County to apply brine to main roads. More, below, from the National Weather Service.
Members of a local advisory committee are looking for ways to make Arlington more walkable after snow falls.
In focus for the Pedestrian Advisory Committee this year are curb cuts leading from sidewalks into intersections, which often fill up with snow from plows and, at times, people shoveling sidewalks.
Main roads and highways around Arlington are mostly clear, after an inch or less of snow fell across the county.
Traffic cameras show mostly wet roads, though many neighborhood streets remain snow-covered after the overnight snowfall. The last of the flakes stopped falling in Arlington around 8 a.m.
Arlington and the rest of the immediate D.C. and Baltimore metros are now under a Winter Weather Advisory.
There is now less uncertainty about whether there will be accumulating snowfall. Flakes are set to start flying late Saturday or early Sunday, with 1-3 inches expected to fall by the time the precipitation wraps up Sunday morning.
Preparations are underway for a wintry weekend in Arlington, with at least 1-3 inches of snow looking likely Saturday night into Sunday.
While some snow flurries are possible today (Friday), the accumulating snow in the forecast for later this weekend has brine trucks out on the roads in Arlington.
The snow may be mostly over but we’re not done with wintry hazards.
A light freezing rain is expected tonight between 7 p.m.-1 a.m., potentially leading to a “a light glaze of ice” and “very slippery sidewalks, roads and bridges,” according to the National Weather Service.
