Northern Virginia Weather: Friday Snow Warning Issued For Commute

STERLING, VA—Now that the arctic blast of dangerously cold weather conditions is about to abate for folks in the Northern Virginia area, along comes the National Weather Service with a "special weather statement" regarding Friday morning's commute. Specifically, snow. Not a lot, mind you, but just enough to make that trek to the office white-knuckle dicey.

To wit, from the NWS: "If this threat does materialize during the Friday morning rush hour, many untreated roads could quickly turn icy. This could lead to dangerous traveling conditions, multiple accidents and extensive delays. If commuting Friday morning, be aware of the possibility of significant travel disruptions."

There's a 50 percent chance of scattered snow showers between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., and a 70 percent chance in DC proper. Too, there's this from the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang: "The best chance of any accumulation will be in the mountains to our west and northwest and into northern Maryland."

So there you go. Here's the detailed forecast from the National Weather Service area bureau in Sterling (and yes, next week could briefly bring back highs in the 60s), as well as some pertinent tips for driving in what may greet us tomorrow morning:

Thursday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 15. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable.

Friday: Scattered snow showers between 8am and 1pm, then a chance of snow after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 30. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55.

Monday Night: A chance of showers after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Winter Driving Tips

In winter driving conditions, the decision to steer or brake can have very different outcomes, say the experts at AAA Mid-Atlantic. Properly managing your speed and following distance will give you time to avoid a crash. At speeds over 25 mph, steering is preferred over braking to avoid a collision, as it takes less distance to steer around an object, than to brake to a stop.

"However, sometimes steering is not your option. Braking on slippery surfaces requires you to look further head and to increase following and stopping distances," said Kurt Gray for AAA Mid-Atlantic, in a news release. "Plan stopping distances as early as possible. Always look 20-30 seconds ahead of your vehicle to ensure you have time to assess and respond to changing traffic situations, and safely reduce your speed. Shaded spots, bridges, overpasses and intersections are areas where ice is likely to form first, and will be the most slippery. Sudden hard braking can lead to the loss of vehicle control."

If you plan on not using your car for an extensive period of time during snow season, it is important to turn it on every 6-12 hours and let it run idle for 15-20 minutes so that it reaches operating temperatures. This provides current to the battery, allowing it to regain its charge.

Winter Driving, Survival Tips

Here are some winter driving suggestions from State Farm Insurance:

• Clear frost, snow and ice from the windows and exterior of your car.
• Never warm up your vehicle in a closed garage. This could lead to carbon monoxide problems.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent gas line freeze-up.
• Make sure your exhaust pipe is not clogged with mud or snow.
• Don't use cruise control on icy roads.

If you are stranded remember this:

• Stay inside. If possible, pull off the highway and turn your hazard lights on or tie something bright to your car's antenna to signal that you need help. Then wait inside your car until help arrives to avoid exposure to frostbite and prevent hypothermia.
• Call 911. If you have a charged phone and reception, call for help and describe your location as best you can.
• Clear the tailpipe. Make sure there's no snow covering your tailpipe in order to prevent carbon monoxide buildup inside the car. Check the tailpipe periodically to ensure that fresh snow isn't blocking it, always watching for oncoming traffic before exiting your vehicle.
• Keep moving. Staying active inside your car will help you keep warm. Clap your hands and tap your toes to keep your circulation moving and prevent frostbite but avoid overexertion and sweating.
• Drink fluids. Dehydration can make you more susceptible to the effects of cold. If there's no drinking water inside your car, melt some snow inside a bag or other makeshift cup to stay hydrated.
• Conserve your vehicle's battery. Use lights, heat, and radio sparingly.
• Run your engine. Provided you have enough gas in your tank, run the engine for about 10 minutes every hour to keep the car warm. Turn on interior lights when your engine is on so you can be seen inside your car. Open a downwind window slightly for ventilation and clear snow from the exhaust pipe to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Don't overexert yourself. Cold weather puts your heart under added stress. If you're not used to exercise, shoveling snow or pushing a car could put you at risk of a heart attack.

Before You Go:

• Clean all snow and ice from the entire vehicle – hood, roof, trunk, lights and windows.
• Keep a bottle of lock de-icer in your purse or jacket to avoid costly delays during winter travel.
• Fill up. Even drivers going a short distance could get stuck in traffic or have a breakdown. Having enough gas will allow you to stay warm while waiting for help to arrive.
• Check to be sure all four tires are in good condition.
• Worn tires can send a car into dangerous skids and spins on wet and icy winter roads. Checking tire pressure and tread depth monthly can help motorists keep tires in optimal condition.
• Inspect wiper blades for wear and tear, and make sure they are in good condition to clear the windshield of heavier precipitation associated with winter months.
• Keep the windshield washer reservoir filled with antifreeze solvent. Replenish washer reservoir with the appropriate ratio of water to windshield antifreeze.

Patch editor Deb Belt contributed to this report

Patch graphic