Winter Storm Warning: 'Delay Travel,' Metro Changes, Schools Out

WASHINGTON, DC — A winter storm with the potential to bring six inches of snow, topped with ice, is moving into the Washington, D.C., region through Wednesday evening, which has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a winter storm warning for much of northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. Virginia transportation officials asked residents to stay off the roads until they're clear.

Virginia State Police encouraged residents "to delay travel until midday Wednesday. That enables VDOT to tend to the roads and ensures safe travel conditions for everyone," the agency said Tuesday evening. "If you must travel, then please drive for conditions by slowing your speed, using headlights and avoiding distractions. To check road conditions before heading out, go to www.511virginia.org or download the VDOT 511 app."

The Office of Personnel Management closed federal agencies in the Washington, D.C., metro on Wednesday and urged federal employees who are eligible to telework. Many area school districts are closed, including Alexandria City Public Schools, Arlington County Public Schools, Fairfax County Public Schools, Falls Church City Public Schools, Fredericksburg City Public Schools, Loudoun County Public Schools, and Manassas City Public Schools.

Metro train and bus service changes are planned Wednesday because of the storm:

Metrorail

• Metrorail service will operate every 12 minutes on each line Wednesday to allow deicing equipment to operate. Service levels may be increased during the day if conditions allow.
• The system will operate regular hours from 5 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. All stations will be open.
• The top levels of all Metro parking garages will be closed due to expected snow/ice accumulation.
• Customers should allow extra travel time and use extreme caution when walking on exposed surfaces, including parking lots, sidewalks, and station platforms.

Metrobus

• With heavy snowfall expected during the morning rush hour, Metrobus will begin Wednesday under the Severe Snow Service Plan. Buses will provide limited service on major roadways only. Many bus routes do not operate when a severe plan is in effect.
• Bus service may be temporarily suspended with little or no notice if roads become unsafe.
• If you must travel, plan for the possibility of delays and increased wait times due to weather/road conditions.

MetroAccess

• To ensure that no customer is stranded away from home during the storm, MetroAccess service for customers with disabilities will be limited to “return home” trips only on Wednesday between 4 a.m. and 7 p.m. All other trips will be canceled.

A winter storm watch means "significant amounts of snow, sleet and ice will make travel very hazardous or impossible," according to the weather service. Up to 6 inches of snow and a tenth of an inch ice are in the forecast between Tuesday and Wednesday nights, according to the updated forecast.

Here is when the winter storm warning is in effect on Wednesday, Feb. 20:

• 1 a.m. to 7 p.m. —District of Columbia, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Fauquier, Loudoun

A winter weather advisory is in effect from 1 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday for Stafford and Spotsylvania counties. The area is expected to receive mixed precipitation. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches and a light glaze of ice are predicted.

Virginia Department of Transportation crews have pretreated interstates and major routes throughout northern Virginia. Tuesday night, trucks will stage along roadways, ready to plow and treat roads as needed when the storm begins.

Residents are being asked to avoid driving through the day Wednesday and after the storm until conditions have improved. Give crews time to plow and treat roads. VDOT also asks that you park in driveways or on the same side of the street to allow plows room to pass.

If you must drive, ensure enough gas, wiper fluid, proper tires, medication, and an emergency car kit. Check road conditions along your route at www.511virginia.org, on the free mobile app, or call 511 from any phone in Virginia.

Wednesday's drive to work not be easy. "A difficult morning commuting is expected as snow may be heavy at times with limited visibility and rapid accumulation, especially on untreated roads," says The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang. "Snow may mix with sleet late in the morning around the District and especially points east to the south. The transition from snow to a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain progresses northward in the afternoon."

Heavy snow will mix with and then change to sleet and freezing rain during the watch period, according to the National Weather Service. The transition from snow to sleet to freezing rain to rain will likely occur midday on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service's forecast discussion.

"There is the potential for a significant snowfall prior to the changeover," weather officials said. "Then, as temperatures warm aloft and cold air is trapped at the surface, a period of accumulating freezing rain will follow."

The winter storm watch is effective from 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 19, to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20.

Travel could be very difficult, according to a hazardous weather outlook, particularly during the morning or evening commute.

In addition to DC and Virginia, much of Maryland and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia are under the winter storm warning through Wednesday night.

Here's the latest forecast from the National Weather Service:

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. Northwest wind around 8 mph.

Tuesday Night: Snow after 4am. Low around 30. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Wednesday: Snow before 1pm, then freezing rain and sleet between 1pm and 4pm, then rain after 4pm. High near 34. East wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Wednesday Night: Rain. Low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Thursday: Rain likely, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Friday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

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Main image via Shutterstock, graphic courtesy of the National Weather Service.