Snow Coming?

Photo by PoPville flickr member JustifiedAncient

Excitement is starting to build about the possibility in my snow loving house. The Post’s Capital Weather Gang report:

The compact storm will have plenty of moisture with it. The big questions for our area are: 1) how far north will the precipitation shield get? and 2) will it extend far enough north to deliver moderate to heavy snow? If the latter occurs, accumulating snow becomes likely and roads during Thurday afternoon’s rush hour could become slick and hazardous.

From AlertDC:

Tomorrow, Thursday, January 17, 2012, although the federal government will be OPEN, employees of federal agencies in the Washington, DC area will have the OPTION for UNSCHEDULED LEAVE or UNSCHEDULED TELEWORK.

This is due to the Winter Storm Watch that the National Weather Service has issued for the DC Metro Area for tomorrow. Anywhere from 1-5″ of snow are expected tomorrow, primarily in the afternoon and early evening. Please stay tuned into TV, radio, or Alert DC for further updates, as this forecast is expected to be fine-tuned tonight and tomorrow morning, and it is possible that the federal government could close early tomorrow if necessary.

From DPW:

The DC Snow Team (Department of Public Works and District Department of Transportation) goes into a full deployment Thursday, January 17 with more than 200 plows on their routes by 9 am. Weather forecasters predict the storm will start as a rain/snow event then change to all snow in the afternoon. Possibly 3 to 5 inches of wet snow can accumulate before the storm ends around midnight. The high temperature is expected to be 38F and the low 31F and Friday is expected to be sunny with a high of 37F and a low of 29F.

“We want people to be aware that the change to snow probably will occur just before the afternoon rush hour,” said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr. “Everyone should be aware of the conditions and listen to the media for messages that might be issued by the federal and local governments regarding when to report to work and possible closures.”

To track the plows, go to snow.dc.gov and click on http://snowmap.dc.gov/.

Snow Safety and Preparedness Tips: People driving, walking or bicycling around the District should travel cautiously. Property owners are asked to pre-treat their sidewalks with abrasives and remove snow within 24 hours of the end of the storm, and assist their elderly or disabled neighbors with clearing their sidewalks. Also, for our drivers’ safety and yours, “Don’t crowd the plow.” Residents are encouraged to go to snow.dc.gov for updates before, during and after snowstorms, and for tips to get one’s home and family prepared for inclement weather. Residents also may sign up at alert.dc.gov to receive emergency alerts and notifications from Alert DC.