Snow, sleet in Wednesday forecast

3:20 p.m. 

The Virginia Department of Transportation states your commute on Wednesday morning could take longer than usual. Here’s the latest in a VDOT press release: 

The Virginia Department of Transportation is asking drivers to prepare for a day-long storm tomorrow that could make driving hazardous in northern Virginia. Drivers are asked to monitor weather forecasts today, and consider teleworking or delaying travel tomorrow. Drivers are also asked to plan for a longer than normal commute, with snow predicted in the morning and hazardous sleet and freezing rain beginning in the afternoon.

By 4 a.m. Wednesday, about 700 trucks will be staged throughout Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William and Arlington counties to treat roads. Additional trucks may be added to handle sleet and snow during the afternoon commute.

Today, crews are pre-treating major roads and trouble spots in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties. On interstates 66, 95, 395, and 495—including bridges and ramps prone to freezing such as the Springfield interchange, I-66 at Route 29 and the Capital Beltway interchange at Route 1—crews use liquid magnesium chloride. Problem spots on other major roads, such as the Fairfax County Parkway and routes 1, 7, 28, 29, 50 and 123, are pre-treated with salt brine.

VDOT reminds drivers to use caution in winter weather, and:

• Check 511virginia.org for road conditions

• Slow down and allow for extra time to reach your destination

• Be aware of potentially icy areas such as ramps, bridges, hills and curves

• Get more details on snow removal in northern Virginia

1:15 p.m.

The snow lovers hopeful forecast for Wednesday: There is a slight chance those living on the Interstate 95 corridor could see up to an inch of snow Wednesday, according a new graphics from the National Weather Service.

The graphics indicate those traveling or living in that area has a 10% chance of seeing up to an inch of snow. However, it’s looking like the region could see some wintry precipitation anywhere from a trace to 1 inch, according to the weather outlook.

Communities south of Washington, D.C. are expected to pick up more wintry perception. Dale Boulevard in Dale City was pretreated about lunchtime Tuesday prior to the onset of winter weather.

In Hampton Roads, Virginia, where snow totals are expected to be higher, Virginia Department of Transportation crews are preparing trucks to pre-treat roadways.

Be prepared! RT @VaDOTHR: Windsor AHQ anti-icing tanks being loaded up now #vdotisready #hrtraffic pic.twitter.com/gswuUjkpPv

— VDOT (@VaDOT) January 13, 2015

Back in Northern Virginia, this will be our second bout of winter weather this week after a bout with freezing rain during the Monday morning commute. The forecasted temperatures in the 20s and low 30s tonight and tomorrow morning will mean it will be cold enough to snow.

Any snow or sleet that falls will do so before noon. Then skies will turn cloudy and temperatures will drop down to 24 degrees, according to the weather service.

The weather turns partly sunny with warmer temperatures Thursday. The high temperature will be 39 on Thursday and 44 degrees on Friday, according to the weather service.