Drivers urged to delay trips Friday morning due to snow

The region is under threat from a late winter storm, and drivers are urged to delay their trips Friday morning. 

States the Virginia Department of Transportation in a press release: 

The Virginia Department of Transportation asks drivers to plan for a late winter storm, expected to impact traffic tonight through Friday morning with up to several inches of snow. If possible, delay trips until after the a.m. rush hour Friday to avoid potential slushy road conditions.

Yesterday, crews spread anti-icing materials on interstates and major roads and are finishing preparations today.

Crews will be staged along major roads to handle the afternoon rush hour today, ramping up to about 1,400 trucks to treat roads overnight and through the morning rush hour. Some crews will also be on alert through the weekend for possible refreeze.

Drivers are asked to be alert to winter weather over the next two rush hours, and:

• Delay trips until after the Friday morning rush hour if possible

• Check www.511virginia.org or the mobile app before leaving for road conditions

• Accelerate and brake gently

• Use caution, especially on ramps, bridges, overpasses, hills and curves.  

• Allow snow plows right of way; keep plenty of distance behind other vehicles.

A winter weather advisory goes into effect at 10 p.m. One to three inches of snow is expected. 

States the National Weather Service: 

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO
10 AM EST FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON HAS
ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST FRIDAY.

* PRECIPITATION TYPE...SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS...ONE TO THREE INCHES...TWO TO FOUR INCHES ACROSS
  SOUTHERN MARYLAND.

* TIMING...PRECIPITATION WILL MOVE INITIALLY AS A RAIN AND SNOW
  MIX EARLY THIS EVENING...TRANSITIONING TO ALL SNOW LATE THIS
  EVENING. SNOW IS EXPECTED OVERNIGHT...IMPACTING THE MORNING
  COMMUTE...EVENTUALLY TAPERING OFF BY MIDDAY FRIDAY.

* IMPACTS...THE SNOW WILL CAUSE SLIPPERY ROADS...RESULTING IN
  HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS.

* WINDS...EAST 5 TO 10 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 20 MPH.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE LOWER 30S.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.