First Snow Of 2025: Snow Removal Policies To Know In Arlington

ARLINGTON, VA — It won't take long in the new year for the first snow to blanket the region. Forecasters are expecting a winter storm to bring accumulating snow to Arlington and the rest of Northern Virginia Sunday into Monday.

In Arlington, county snow crews focus on keeping main arteries passable for emergency vehicles and public transportation (red primary routes), according to the county website. This includes snow emergency routes; arterial streets; high-volume, multi-use County trails; main bus routes; and roads to hospitals, fire stations, Metro stations and the police station. Plowing generally begins with 2-4 inches of snow accumulation.

Residents can visit the Arlington County's Snow and Ice page to access winter weather safety tips, closings and delays, and other information.

SEE ALSO: 2 Chances Of Snow In NoVA Forecast: See Latest Timing, Details

Outside of Arlington, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is responsible for 14,238 miles of road in Northern Virginia, so please be patient as their crews work hard to get to your street. Find out where plows have been as well as where they are headed. VDOT activates the online neighborhood tracking map when snow reaches two inches or more.

Residents can follow real-time plowing information from VDOT and report road conditions to VDOT’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-367-7623 or online.

VDOT asks drivers to delay all nonessential travel, but if you must drive, reduce speed, increase distances, bring emergency supplies, give space to first responders and VDOT crews. Crews prioritize interstate highways, major roads, and main subdivision roads. After a storm ends, VDOT aims to have one passable lane cleared on all roads within the following time frames:

• 2-4" of snow: 24 hours
• 4-6" of snow: 48 hours
• 6" or more: More than 72 hours

Crews will make subdivision roads passable, which means an 8-to-10-foot path for emergency vehicle access. Roads will be drivable with extreme caution, but the road will be snow-packed and not curb-to-curb or bare pavement. Crews will sand hills, curves, and intersections to help with traction.