Snowstorm closes schools, slows travel Tuesday as DC area braces for freezing week – NBC4 Washington

The D.C. area’s biggest snowstorm in three years dumped 6 to 10 inches of snow on the region and closed government offices and school districts for two days.

Exactly how much snow fell?

Reagan National recorded 7.2 inches of snow, while Dulles had 5.1 inches and BWI-Marshall had 6.6 inches. The big winners were Prince Frederick, Maryland, with 11.6 inches and Independent Hill, Virginia, which reported 11 inches. Frederick and Washington counties in northern Maryland were on the low end with 4 to 5 inches.

Once the blizzard is gone, the concern turns to icy or slippery conditions on the roads. Metrobus runs on a limited schedule on Tuesday due to the snow.

Roads remain dangerous as slush begins to freeze. While most major roads have been cleared, some side roads were still covered in snow Tuesday morning.

“The best thing to do if you can and don’t have to go anywhere, just stay home and give us room to work,” said Danny King of the Montgomery County Department of Transportation.

Maryland State Police responded to more than 200 accidents and 300 vehicles left unattended as the snow fell Monday.

DC prepares for freezing

The rest of the week is expected to be cold, Storm Team4 says, with winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour on Tuesday and below freezing.

Storm Team4 is also tracking another potential storm on Saturday.

Which school districts are closing?

Many school districts will be closed on Tuesday, including DC Public Schools.

In Virginia, Alexandria City, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Falls Church, Fauquier County, Loudoun County, Prince William County and Stafford County Public Schools will all be closed.

In Maryland, Calvert County, Charles County, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, and St. Mary’s County public schools will also all be closed. Frederick County Public Schools still has a two hour delay on their website.

You can find a full list of school closings here.

Other closures

The National Zoo and Smithsonian museums will be closed on Tuesday.

Navigating the roads

Those not driving are still encouraged to stay off the roads, which will also allow local transportation departments to work on the roads.

“Don’t exaggerate the conditions, slow down, take your time and make sure you give the plow drivers and everything plenty of room to operate,” King said.

If you’re walking, it’s still safest to use the sidewalk, even if it’s covered in snow.

While crews work to clear the roads, Metro buses will run limited service, reducing the number of lines operating on Tuesday. News4’s Walter Morris reports.

Making travel plans

While Metro trains will run as normal, WMATA says Metro buses will run under severe snow service schedule Tuesday, which means it will reduce the number of bus routes from 193 to 42.

Hundreds of flights were canceled Monday to and from Reagan National Airport, Dulles and BWI.

Reagan National Airport had closed the runways Monday night to prevent refreezing, but was expected to reopen Tuesday morning.

As flights to and from Reagan National Airport were canceled due to snow, News4’s Jackie Bensen spoke with travelers at the airport.

Frost degrees

As temperatures drop, the risk of water main breaks increases.

There are some things you can do to prevent the pipes in your home from freezing:

• Close valves to outdoor faucets
• Empty and disconnect outdoor hoses
• If pipes burst, call a plumber