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

ALEXANDRIA, 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 Alexandria and the rest of Northern Virginia Sunday into Monday.

In the City of Alexandria, the city and residents share responsibilities for snow removal. City crews clear snow from 561 lane miles of roadways, 20 miles of publicly-owned sidewalks, walkways and pathways, and 44 acres of municipal parking lots and publicly owned squares. Crews focus on primary routes, including snow emergency routes, followed by secondary routes, intermediate routes and residential streets.

The city manager may declare a snow emergency and put parking restrictions in place.

During winter storms, residents may check the status of streets using the SnowReport tracking system.

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As for snow removal on sidewalks, the responsibility lies with property owners, community associations or business owners. During a Level 1 storm (up to eight inches of snow) snow must be removed 24 hours after snowfall stops. In a Level 2 storm (over eight inches), snow must be removed 48 hours after snow stops. In the Level 3 storm (most severe), snow must be removed 72 hours after the snow stops.

The city says owners and tenants who cannot clear sidewalks should make arrangements for clearing during a winter storm. A violation of not clearing sidewalks could result in a $50 fine or the cost of the city removing the snow. Violations of the sidewalk clearing ordinance may be reported to 311 or 703-746-4311.

During winter storms, the city encourages clearing ice, snow and leaves around fire hydrants and storm drains, not shoveling snow onto sidewalks or streets, parking cars off street when possible, and checking on neighbors needing help.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is responsible for clearing interstates as well as many roads in some neighboring localities. Plowing priority is given to snow emergency routes, then interstates, high-volume routes, main routes in neighborhoods, residential streets and cul-de-sacs. Residents can follow real-time plowing information from VDOT.

Driving Safety In Winter Storms

This week marks the third anniversary of the Interstate 95 shutdown due to a fast-moving snow storm. According to AAA, the conditions caused several tractor-trailers to collide and block I-95, leaving people stranded in their cars along 50 miles of the busy interstate in freezing temperatures.

AAA said the I-95 shutdown is a reminder to prepare emergency kits for severe weather.
"Those who had well-stocked emergency kits, including water and non-perishable snacks, along with blankets and extra warm weather gear, were in better shape than those who weren’t prepared," said Morgan Dean, AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson for Virginia.

AAA Mid-Atlantic encourages drivers to follow forecasts and be prepared for hazardous conditions if they have to be on the roads.
Here are some tips from AAA Mid-Atlantic for navigating roads during snow:

• Stay home. If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in winter conditions, not everyone else can.
• Check road and weather conditions. Before you leave, assess the conditions of roads along your route. A good source for this is the Virginia Department of Transportation’s 511 site, found at 511.vdot.virginia.gov. Also consider loading a good weather app with live radar functionality to keep updated on storm track.
• Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on ice- and snow-covered roads. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Apply the gas slowly to regain traction and avoid skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry and take time to slow down well in advance for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• Manage a skid. If you lose traction and begin to spin or skid on snow or ice, don’t slam on the brakes. Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go, until your tires regain traction.
• Increase your following distance to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
• Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
• Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill slowly.
• Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.