With the first blast of rain, snow and sleet behind us, across the D.C. metro region, preparations for the second round of wintry weather are underway.
Virginia's Department of Transportation is advising motorists to plan ahead for evening commutes, and avoiding any travel after 4 p.m.
At the Virginia Department of Transportation Traffic Operations Center in Fairfax Wednesday morning, trucks were loading up with sand and salt. The drivers, prepping for what could be one very long day - and night. Bridges, ramps, and trouble spots on the interstates have been pre-treated. Other major roads, like the Fairfax County Parkway and Routes 1, 7, 28, 50, and 123 have been pre-treated with salt brine.
In Prince George's County, Md., snow crews will go into emergency mode beginning at 4:00 p.m. Those crews will focus on primary and collector roadways first, and then turn to clearing residential roads.
"Round One" of the storm was filled with light snow and rain but the second part of the punch could be even worse.
Crews around the region spent the morning shoveling and spreading salt on parking lots and sidewalks, readying for the next round.
"We've had a lot of storms we've mobilized for without a lot of snow so this is the first storm with any actual accumulation," said V.D.O.T. spokesperson Jennifer McCord.
Two thousand V.D.O.T. trucks will be covering roads with magnesium chloride or salt in efforts of heading off any issues tonight - and curbing what will likely be a messy morning commute tomorrow.
Before this storm rolled in, V.D.O.T. was one third of the way through this year's 33 million dollar snow removal budget.
