NoVA Winter Storm To Bring Snow, Sleet; Travel Discouraged

VIRGINIA — Northern Virginia residents woke up to a winter wonderland Monday morning, as snow started overnight and will bring another round that could total 10 inches. "Do not travel" was the message from the Virginia Department of Transportation to drivers.

The National Weather Service's Baltimore-Washington office said travel conditions started to deteriorate overnight as the region saw moderate to heavy snowfall rates. Snow rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour continue Monday morning. Forecasters expect a pause in the snow in the late morning to early afternoon before another round of snow with 1 to 3 more inches. Intermittent light snow with sleet or freezing drizzle is possible before the second round of snow.

A winter storm warning remains in effect until 1 a.m. Tuesday throughout Northern Virginia and other parts of the region. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches are predicted, but isolated areas could get up to 12 inches if heavy banding forms, according to the National Weather Service. A trace of ice is forecast with the snow.

Many facilities are closed around the region Monday, such as local government offices, schools and federal government offices. Amtrak has canceled some train routes between Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Boston from Sunday to Tuesday, according to its website. Metrobus is operating on a severe snow plan. Metrorail remains operating normally, but the agency asked riders to stay home and travel only when necessary.

Over 400 flights have been canceled as of Monday morning at Reagan National Airport; another 91 at Washington Dulles International Airport and 107 at Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport, The Washington Post reported.

The four major airlines serving Baltimore, DC and Northern Virginia — American, Delta, Southwest and United — are waiving change fees for flights affected by the winter storm.

VDOT asked residents to stay off the roads Monday so crews could clear them. According to VDOT, many state-maintained roads in the northern and western parts of Virginia have snow or ice.

Between 4 a.m. and 11 a.m., Virginia State Police responded to 33 crashes in the Northern Virginia region, including three with injuries. Statewide, state police responded to 248 crashes, including 19 with reported injuries.

VDOT expects a multi-day response to the winter storm, as freezing temperatures are in the forecast for the rest of the week. Crews will first clear interstates and limited-access roadways, primary roads, major secondary roads, and low-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets.

Homeowners associations may be responsible for clearing their privately-owned roads. Check the status of plowing on VDOT's real-time plowing resource. Residents can also monitor road conditions on 511.vdot.virginia.gov or the free mobile app, or call 511 from any phone in Virginia.

For those who have to drive during the winter storm, state police recommend:

• Use headlights. Increasing your visibility helps you to avoid slick and dangerous spots on the road, as well as helps other drivers see you better.
• Slow your speed. Though state police works closely with the Virginia Department of Transportation to identify problem areas on Virginia’s highways during a winter storm, drivers still must drive for conditions. Slowing your speed gives you more time to safely react and avoid a crash. Drive your vehicle based on your ability to properly maintain control of your vehicle.
• Don’t tailgate. You need increased stopping distance on slick road surfaces. Give yourself more space between vehicles traveling ahead of you to avoid rear end collisions.
• Buckle Up. Most crashes that occur during winter weather are caused by vehicles sliding into guardrails, off the road or other vehicles. Wearing your seat belt protects you from being thrown around the inside of your vehicle and suffering serious injury in a crash.
• Check Your Vehicle. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order for the conditions. Fill up the tank in advance. Check windshield wipers, windshield wiper fluid, tire tread, battery life, etc.
• Don’t leave home without a window scraper, blanket, bottled water, snack, cell phone charger and flashlight.

Here's the latest Washington, D.C., area forecast from theNational Weather Service:

Monday: Snow, mainly before 1pm. High near 28. East wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Monday Night: Snow, mainly before 10pm. Low around 19. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 31. Northwest wind 16 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 18. Northwest wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 30. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 14.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 26. Blustery.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 17.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 30.