A well-timed but messy storm coated the region in ice and then dumped up to four inches of snow over the weekend.
Transportation officials worried yesterday about slush hardening into ice overnight and creating slippery driving conditions for this morning's commute. "It could be treacherous," said Bill Rice, a spokesman for the D.C. Department of Transportation.
In Reston, a couple walks through the fresh blanket. A well-timed but messy storm coated the region in ice and then dumped up to four inches of snow over the weekend.
(Jahi Chikwendiu -- The Washington Post)
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Several county school systems in the area announced that they would open two hours late this morning, including Montgomery, Prince George's, Loudoun, Stafford, Charles and Calvert counties, along with D.C. public schools. Students in Prince William County already were scheduled to have the day off because of a teacher workday.
Any asphalt not treated with salt is likely to be coated by ice today, said Brian Guyer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. "We're talking about side roads, parking lots at condominiums, that sort of thing," he said. "People need to allow themselves some extra time."
The region received about a quarter-inch of ice followed by two to four inches of wet snow -- the classic "wintry mix," Guyer said.
It was the second weekend snowstorm in a row, and it led to the cancellation of church services, left some homes without power, delayed a few flights and dashed the training plans of runners.
The gracefully swirling flakes were a perfect excuse to linger over Sunday papers and drink just one more cup of coffee or slip on boots and head to a movie.
"Snow days are take-the-dog-to-the-park, watching-movies, make-chili days," said Scott Phillips, 37, a physical education teacher at Phillips School in Annandale who was walking with his girlfriend and their two dogs at a dog park in Shirlington.
"You get to catch up on relaxation instead of going out into the world. The roads will be clean tomorrow, and it's back to work. It's nice to stay home for a day," he said.
Lines formed outside the Shirlington movie theater, where Rob Riordan, 41, of Arlington County waited for his girlfriend. The snow propelled them to catch up on films nominated for Academy Awards. "I don't have a sled. I don't ski," said Riordan, who bought tickets to "Sideways."
Transportation officials and highway crews were grateful for the timing, which meant that they didn't have to battle motorists who clog roads on workdays.
"When we get the snowfalls on weekends, we don't have to fight traffic the way we do during the weekdays," said Maryland Transportation Secretary Robert L. Flanagan, who began monitoring road-clearing operations at 6:30 a.m. yesterday. "That's a great advantage to us."
Across Maryland, 1,700 workers operated 1,400 plow trucks, spreaders and other equipment. The road crews began work before the first flakes fell, laying down salt and chemicals to prevent icing, Flanagan said. He said temperatures were ideal for maximizing the salt's effectiveness. By midday yesterday, major highways were in generally good condition, but secondary roads were covered with slush.
Flanagan could not estimate the cost of the storm but said the rule of thumb is about $1 million for each inch of snowfall. Labor rates are higher if a storm falls on a weekend, he said. "It's a mixed blessing, but our ability to keep up with the snowfall and avoid major headaches is much greater."
