WASHINGTON — The D.C. area is bracing for a wallop of heavy, wet snow and sleet from a powerful nor’easter that is expected to slam the entire East Coast.
The forecast calls for the snow to arrive after Monday evening and to intensify in the overnight hours, although the forecast is still in influx.
Most of the D.C. region remains under a Winter Storm Warning from Monday night into Tuesday afternoon. Check out the links below for everything you need to know to prepare for the storm and for up-to-date conditions as the flakes start to fly.
WEATHER
Areas to the north and west of Washington are expected to to see the highest snow totals. Northern Montgomery County Maryland into Loudoun County and western Fairfax may get up to 8 inches of snow, according to the latest forecast from Storm Team4 meteorologists.
Forecasters are calling for about 2 to 4 inches in the immediate D.C. area, with wet snow mixing in with with sleet, freezing rain and possibly just plain rain in the overnight hours.
However, it’s possible more of the snow will mix with rain and sleet, lowering overall snow totals.
Get the full forecast on the WTOP.com weather page.
TRAFFIC
Area road and transportation crews are prepping for the storm, pre-treating roadways and readying fleets of snow plows.
A snow emergency plan will go into effect in the city of Frederick, Maryland, starting at 9 p.m. Monday. This means all vehicles will need to be moved from snow emergency routes by 11 p.m. or risk being towed. Here’s the full list of snow routes.
The City of Falls Church, Virginia, is activating a snow emergency plan at 8 p.m. Click here for a full list of snow routes.
Get the latest traffic updates on the WTOP traffic page, by following @WTOPTraffic on Twitter and by listening to 103.5 FM on-air or online.
COMMUTING/TRAVEL
Metrorail: Metro issued a snow service advisory late Monday morning, alerting the public to possible service changes Tuesday. Metro said the system will open Tuesday at 5 a.m. as usual but that trains may run less frequently because of the storm.
Metrobus: Service may be affected by the storm and service changes are likely Tuesday, Metro said in its snow service advisory.
MetroAccess: Metro’s paratransit service will be suspended starting at 4 p.m. Monday and lasting all day Tuesday.
VRE: VRE says a decision about altering service will be made by 4 a.m. Tuesday.
MARC: Service is running on all three lines Monday, larger trains with extra cars will operate earlier in the afternoon in anticipation of passengers leaving work early. MARC will make a decision about Tuesday either Monday evening or early Tuesday.
Area airports are warning customers about the possibility of flight delays. Airlines are estimating hundreds of flight delays and cancellations through Tuesday. As always, check with your airline about the status of your flights.
CLOSINGS AND DELAYS
Public schools in Prince William and Fairfax counties and Alexandria City Public Schools have already announced they’re canceling some evening activities.
Get the full list of closings and delays on WTOP.com.
POWER OUTAGES
Power companies in the area are all prepping for the storm, including sharing resources and personnel if needed.
More information about:
If you need the phone number for your power company, text the word POWER to 91035 and we’ll text it back to you.
EMERGENCY KIT
Every home should have an emergency kit on hand in case of storms and power outages. Think extra food, medication, flashlight, batteries and other essentials. Check out other tips for stocking your emergency kit.
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