A snow plow driving down Columbia Pike, January 2022 (staff photo by Matt Blitz)
It’s going to be a slippery Saturday in Arlington and most of the D.C. area.
Snow, sleet and freezing rain are expected throughout much of the day, starting with snow in the morning. The frozen precipitation is expected to make travel tricky, though temperatures are expected to remain above freezing during most of the storm and an overnight refreeze is not currently expected.
Sidewalk crews in Crystal City on Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Jarvis)
County leaders are urging local residents to connect with neighbors and help one another if February and March bring more snow.
“This is an opportunity for people to renew their relationships with their neighbors and say, ‘Let’s team up and help,'” County Manager Mark Schwartz said during a Tuesday (Jan. 28) County Board snow briefing.
A wet snowfall in Westover, January 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
It’s still mostly rain that’s falling outside as of 1:30 p.m., but that’s likely to change soon.
Temperatures are dropping and forecasters say the immediate D.C. area should expect heavy snow and deteriorating conditions, starting around 2-3 p.m. The big threat later tonight, as frigid temperatures set in, is ice.
Drivers stranded in the snow on the GW Parkway after unexpected rush hour snow in January 2011 (photo courtesy Steve Buttry)
The GW Parkway is closing early Sunday morning due to expected snow.
The National Park Service announced Saturday night that the Parkway would close between Spout Run in Arlington and the Beltway, starting at 6 a.m. A reopening time has not yet been established.
A snow plow on Washington Blvd in Clarendon, January 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
A Winter Weather Advisory was just issued for Arlington, the District and much of the D.C. area.
The National Weather Service says it expects 2-4 inches of snow to fall Sunday, making travel “very difficult.” Plunging temperatures may also lead to icy conditions Sunday night.
Intersection of S. Maple Avenue and Annandale Road (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)
The Falls Church City Council has voted to pursue eminent domain in order to build the city’s first traffic circle.
Several Council members voiced unease at the idea of setting unwelcome precedent, but ultimately took the gloves off on Monday in an 18-month battle to obtain a key easement.
Snowy drive along N. Glebe Road near Washington Golf and Country Club on Feb. 1, 2019 (staff photo)
It could be a treacherous evening commute today (Thursday) due to potential snow showers.
The National Weather Service this morning issued a Special Weather Statement — covering Arlington, the District and most of the D.C. area — warning of hazards on the roads should this 30-50% chance of snow materialize.
Some fresh snow but a cleared Wilson Blvd near Whole Foods in Clarendon (via traffic cam)
About an inch of snow fell in Arlington between Friday night and the early morning hours of Saturday.
Most main roads around the county have now been cleared as of 9:30 a.m., but many side streets remain snowcovered. Crews are now working on those local streets, while residents and businesses are expected to shovel their sidewalks within 24 hours.
Snow on a sidewalk Wednesday, Jan. 8 at Lacey Woods Park along Washington Blvd (staff photo)
Three days after the last snowflakes fell on Arlington, significant stretches of walkways around the county remain encased in ice.
Along sidewalks and crosswalks in front of businesses, single-family homes, townhouse developments and at least one county park, ARLnow braved the ice and snow yesterday and today (Thursday) to document numerous failures to comply with the county’s snow removal ordinance.
Wakefield High School in the snow in 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
After a winter break extended by three consecutive snow days, Arlington Public Schools students are going back to class today, albeit on a delay.
APS announced the two-hour delay last night, shortly before Fairfax County Public Schools announced it would stay closed on Thursday. Loudoun County first announced a delay, then shifted to a closure.
Among other nearby school systems, Alexandria and Montgomery County are both on a two-hour delay, while D.C. schools are open on time for the second day in row.
When APS announced it was staying closed on Wednesday, the school system cited “persistent hazardous conditions on side streets, sidewalks and parking lots near our school sites.”
A student-created online petition showed photos of still-snow-covered roads and trails, and cited frigid wind chill temperatures today, in arguing that APS should remain closed Thursday and Friday.
The petition has garnered more than 6,750 online signatures.
“The school has recently announced a delayed start for the day,” an update post on the petition says. “While this is an improvement, we still believe that more can be done to ensure the safety of the APS community. Continue to sign this petition to show that we still don’t feel safe going to school.”
Given the current conditions and the actions of other jurisdictions, do you think APS made the right call today?