Alexandria declares local emergency as winter storm approaches

Snow expected to begin within hours; vehicles must be off emergency routes by 10 p.m.

Updated Saturday, Jan. 24, 8:35 p.m.

The city manager declared a local emergency Saturday evening as a major winter storm bears down on the region, with snow expected to begin within hours.

The declaration, effective immediately, comes as city crews prepare to work around the clock to respond to a storm expected to bring 7 to 14 inches of snow and ice through early Monday morning.

“Travel is expected to become hazardous, and residents should prepare for difficult road conditions and extremely cold temperatures,” the city said in an alert.

All vehicles must be removed from designated snow emergency routes by 10 p.m. — roughly 90 minutes from the local emergency declaration. Vehicles left on those routes may be ticketed or towed.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the D.C. metro area from 11 p.m. tonight through 4 a.m. Monday.

“Travel could be nearly impossible,” the weather service warned. “The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.”

Here’s what to expect:

Tonight: Snow begins after 11 p.m., heavy at times. Low around 18°F. Accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible overnight.

Sunday: Snow and sleet continue through early afternoon, then transition to sleet mixed with freezing rain by mid-afternoon. Additional 2 to 4 inches of snow and sleet possible. High near 29°F.

Sunday night: Freezing rain, possibly mixed with sleet. Ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.2 inches expected. Low around 21°F.

Monday: Chance of snow showers before 1 p.m., then clearing. Blustery, with wind gusts up to 30 mph. High near 29°F.

Monday night: Dangerously cold. Low around 4°F.

The weather service warned that power outages and tree damage are likely due to ice, particularly south of Route 50 and near Interstate 95. Visibility could drop to a quarter mile or less at times. Sub-zero wind chills are possible through midweek.

The local emergency declaration follows Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s statewide emergency declaration Thursday and the city’s snow emergency declaration Friday.

“Storm impacts will likely delay emergency response to stranded motorists,” the governor’s office warned.

The Virginia Department of Transportation said crews are pretreating bridges and roadways. VDOT warned that plows may not reach subdivision streets for several days after the storm ends, depending on accumulation and temperatures. Virginia State Police have moved to 12-hour shifts.

Parking is prohibited on snow emergency routes including King Street, Washington Street, Duke Street, U.S. Route 1, Braddock Road, Eisenhower Avenue and portions of Howard and Jordan streets. The routes are marked with red and white signs.

The city urged residents to limit time outdoors, dress warmly in layers, and check on neighbors, seniors and others who may need assistance.

Emergency warming centers are available for residents in need. Residents can track plowing status at alexandriava.gov/SnowReport and check road conditions at 511virginia.org or by calling 511. Updates on the storm response will be posted at alexandriava.gov/Alert. For storm-related questions, call 311.

This is a developing story. Originally published Friday, Jan. 23.