Snow Forecast For Alexandria, Crews Preparing

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Get your snow boots ready, because it looks like a couple of inches of snowfall may be headed our way. According to the National Weather Service, there's a strong likelihood of snow in Alexandria on Saturday, Jan. 12, into Sunday, Jan. 13. Alexandria is under a winter storm warning from 4 p.m. Saturday through 1 p.m. Sunday.

Alexandria is projected to get 4 to 7 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. Snow will likely move into the area Saturday afternoon, and a small amount will accumulate by the night. The snowfall may pick up as the evening progresses, leading to around 2 to 4 inches overnight.

Snow may continue on Sunday before moving out of the area in the afternoon. Around an inch of accumulation is expected during the day. Forecasters didn't rule out additional snow showers into the evening but do not expect more accumulation. Temperatures will be in the low to mid 30s by day and the upper 20s at night throughout the weekend.

In a news release, the city urged residents to prepare: "While this is not expected to be a major storm, travel by vehicle or on foot may be treacherous. Having food, water, medicine and other supplies on hand reduces the need to travel before roads are cleared."

Alexandria crews, which clear over 560 lane miles of roads, 20 miles city-owned walkways and trails, and 44 acres of municipal parking lots and squares, are ready for the storm. Road crews have been pre-treating roads in the past few days. Crews will be out for 12-hour shifts beginning Saturday.

City crews make primary routes the first priority, followed by secondary routes and intermediate routes. See a map of primary, secondary and intermediate routes.

The city classifies storms by precipitation type and accumulation from Level 1 (least severe) to Level 3 (most severe). Here's an explanation of each and how the city responds:

Level 1: Up to eight inches of snow or winter weather conditions
City snow removal crews will work first to make snow-covered roads and sidewalks passable and ensure schools are accessible. Roadways and/or sidewalks may not be completely clear for three days.

Level 2: More than eight inches of snow, freezing rain with ice accumulation, or a combination of ice and snow
City snow removal crews will work first to make snow covered roads passable for emergency and public utility vehicles and aim at bringing road conditions to Level 1. Crews will then return to make roads passable, plowing them clear within five days following the storm. Weather conditions may delay available resources and response times. Drivers are advised to limit their travel to emergency trips, as road conditions are considered hazardous.

Level 3: Significant snow accumulations, ice, or blizzard conditions.
Roads are closed to non-emergency vehicles. Roads will be made passable for emergency vehicles only, and snow removal operations will continue around the clock with the goal of bringing roadway conditions to Level 2

Property owners, occupants, community associations and businesses are responsible for clearing their sidewalks, driveways, and entrances. During a Level 1 storm, these must be cleared within 24 hours. Other times are 48 hours for a Level 2 storm and 72 hours for a Level 3 storm.

The city asks residents to remember the following tips:

• Stay off the roads in the event of snow or ice
• Don’t park on snow emergency routes
• Keep shovels, and salt or sand handy
• Prepare an emergency kit and have an emergency plan in place
• Clear ice, snow, and leaves from around fire hydrants and storm drains, and avoid shoveling snow into the street

Resources to know

• The National Weather Service's Baltimore-Washington office issues watches, warnings and advisories
• SnowReport for status of snow removal in Alexandria
• E-News alerts from the City for closings and other updates
• Visit www.acps.k12.va.us for updates on Alexandria City Public Schools closings
• VDOT's 511virginia.org for real-time traffic conditions around the state

Image via Shutterstock