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Officials warn effects of massive Washington snowstorm could last for days Officials warn effects of massive Washington snowstorm could last for days
(35 minutes later)
A blizzard that will be remembered for generations as one of the biggest storms in the region’s history closed its 36-hour reign in a wind-whipped fury that caused whiteouts deep into Saturday night.A blizzard that will be remembered for generations as one of the biggest storms in the region’s history closed its 36-hour reign in a wind-whipped fury that caused whiteouts deep into Saturday night.
It brought Washington and its suburbs to a standstill, with all but a few major highways made impassable by more than two feet of snow. The winds that spared the region for the storm’s first 24 hours arrived at gale strength Saturday afternoon, pushing snow back onto the few cleared roads and sidewalks and threatening to take down power lines that serve 6 million people.It brought Washington and its suburbs to a standstill, with all but a few major highways made impassable by more than two feet of snow. The winds that spared the region for the storm’s first 24 hours arrived at gale strength Saturday afternoon, pushing snow back onto the few cleared roads and sidewalks and threatening to take down power lines that serve 6 million people.
Authorities warned that it would take days before all the roads became passable or power was restored if the number of outages mounted during the night. With Sunday forecast to be sunny, if cold, authorities feared that people housebound since Friday would be eager to get out.Authorities warned that it would take days before all the roads became passable or power was restored if the number of outages mounted during the night. With Sunday forecast to be sunny, if cold, authorities feared that people housebound since Friday would be eager to get out.
“Please do not go out and get on the road tomorrow or Monday,” Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) said Saturday afternoon. “We are working primary roads right now, and then beginning next week, we will get into the secondary roads.”“Please do not go out and get on the road tomorrow or Monday,” Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) said Saturday afternoon. “We are working primary roads right now, and then beginning next week, we will get into the secondary roads.”
[Live updates on the blizzard and its impact][Live updates on the blizzard and its impact]
D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) said: “There are too many people on the streets, both driving and walking. We need you to stay home.”D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) said: “There are too many people on the streets, both driving and walking. We need you to stay home.”
New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D) imposed a travel ban in New York City. In Baltimore, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, only emergency vehicles were allowed on city streets. Why not the District?New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D) imposed a travel ban in New York City. In Baltimore, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, only emergency vehicles were allowed on city streets. Why not the District?
“We want our community to heed our recommendations, our concerns, and get off the road,” Bowser said. “But more than that, we cannot afford to divert our emergency services to police a travel ban.”“We want our community to heed our recommendations, our concerns, and get off the road,” Bowser said. “But more than that, we cannot afford to divert our emergency services to police a travel ban.”
A Maryland State Highway Administration spokesman lambasted SUV owners out on joyrides. “There’s a lot of people in four-wheel drives that are just kind of out cruising around, and they’re getting in the way of snow operations,” spokesman Charlie Gischlar said.A Maryland State Highway Administration spokesman lambasted SUV owners out on joyrides. “There’s a lot of people in four-wheel drives that are just kind of out cruising around, and they’re getting in the way of snow operations,” spokesman Charlie Gischlar said.
At least five deaths — four in Virginia and one in Maryland — were linked to the storm. They included a traffic fatality, heart attacks while shoveling snow and two hypothermia deaths.At least five deaths — four in Virginia and one in Maryland — were linked to the storm. They included a traffic fatality, heart attacks while shoveling snow and two hypothermia deaths.
Nationwide, at least 17 deaths were attributed to the storm, most because of traffic crashes. Nationwide, at least 18 deaths were attributed to the storm, most because of traffic crashes.
The enormousness of the storm will be calculated after it’s all over, when the snowfall totals are collected from the three airports that measure them and other less prestigious sources.The enormousness of the storm will be calculated after it’s all over, when the snowfall totals are collected from the three airports that measure them and other less prestigious sources.
But it certainly will rival the totals from the record for the biggest two-day snowstorm in Washington. That was set Jan. 27-28, 1922, when 26 inches fell. That snowfall collapsed the roof of the Knickerbocker Theatre in Adams Morgan, killing more than 100 people. And this weekend’s snow eclipsed the biggest winter storm of this young century, “Snowmageddon” of Feb. 5-6, 2010, when 17.8 inches fell.But it certainly will rival the totals from the record for the biggest two-day snowstorm in Washington. That was set Jan. 27-28, 1922, when 26 inches fell. That snowfall collapsed the roof of the Knickerbocker Theatre in Adams Morgan, killing more than 100 people. And this weekend’s snow eclipsed the biggest winter storm of this young century, “Snowmageddon” of Feb. 5-6, 2010, when 17.8 inches fell.
By Saturday evening, “Snowzilla” snow totals ranged from 22 to 35 inches west, north and northwest of the Capital Beltway; 17 to 24 inches inside the Beltway; and 10 to 20 inches southeast of the Beltway. By Saturday evening, “Snow­zilla” snow totals ranged from 22 to 35 inches west, north and northwest of the Capital Beltway; 17 to 24 inches inside the Beltway; and 10 to 20 inches southeast of the Beltway.
Around 5 p.m., Snowzilla officially met the criteria for a blizzard, with three straight hours of wind gusts at more than 35 mph, visibility of a quarter-mile or less, and snow and blowing snow.Around 5 p.m., Snowzilla officially met the criteria for a blizzard, with three straight hours of wind gusts at more than 35 mph, visibility of a quarter-mile or less, and snow and blowing snow.
The magnitude of the storm, with its delivery of three inches of snow per hour, paralyzed the East Coast from Richmond to New York. Roads and public transit shut down in New York and Washington, and low-lying coastal regions from Cape Hatteras, N.C., to Long Island, N.Y., prepared for flooding Sunday and Monday.The magnitude of the storm, with its delivery of three inches of snow per hour, paralyzed the East Coast from Richmond to New York. Roads and public transit shut down in New York and Washington, and low-lying coastal regions from Cape Hatteras, N.C., to Long Island, N.Y., prepared for flooding Sunday and Monday.
[The latest update from the Capital Weather Gang][The latest update from the Capital Weather Gang]
The low-pressure system fueling the snowstorm had generated hurricane-force gusts at sea, and the forecast was for waves as tall as a three-story building.The low-pressure system fueling the snowstorm had generated hurricane-force gusts at sea, and the forecast was for waves as tall as a three-story building.
Airlines canceled almost 10,000 flights in and out of the stricken region and said they did not expect to resume regular schedules until Monday. Even then, it will be a few days before air travel returns to normal.Airlines canceled almost 10,000 flights in and out of the stricken region and said they did not expect to resume regular schedules until Monday. Even then, it will be a few days before air travel returns to normal.
Runways at Reagan National and Dulles International airports were expected to remain closed Sunday while crews cleared snow.Runways at Reagan National and Dulles International airports were expected to remain closed Sunday while crews cleared snow.
The U.S. Postal Service gave up on attempts to deliver the mail Saturday in the Washington region and said carriers would try again Monday. The agency asked homeowners to dig out their mailboxes and clear sidewalks.The U.S. Postal Service gave up on attempts to deliver the mail Saturday in the Washington region and said carriers would try again Monday. The agency asked homeowners to dig out their mailboxes and clear sidewalks.
The Metro system’s buses and rail lines were to remain shut down through the weekend. Metro hoped to resume operations Monday.The Metro system’s buses and rail lines were to remain shut down through the weekend. Metro hoped to resume operations Monday.
As night fell Saturday, about 1,200 customers of the region’s three utilities were without power, but with winds driving the snow sideways there was worry that falling trees would increase that number.As night fell Saturday, about 1,200 customers of the region’s three utilities were without power, but with winds driving the snow sideways there was worry that falling trees would increase that number.
“Every customer should be prepared for the possibility of losing power,” said Michael Maxwell, vice president of Pepco, which provides power in the District and most of the Maryland suburbs. “As we have sustained winds and the heavy, wet snow, that’s where I would have my concerns.”“Every customer should be prepared for the possibility of losing power,” said Michael Maxwell, vice president of Pepco, which provides power in the District and most of the Maryland suburbs. “As we have sustained winds and the heavy, wet snow, that’s where I would have my concerns.”
[Milk, bread and 7 boxes of condoms: How D.C. prepares for storms][Milk, bread and 7 boxes of condoms: How D.C. prepares for storms]
State police in Virginia said they responded to 1,100 accidents statewide, the majority of them in Northern Virginia.State police in Virginia said they responded to 1,100 accidents statewide, the majority of them in Northern Virginia.
Road crews around the region were focused on clearing major arteries, so residents were cautioned not to expect their neighborhood streets to be cleared soon.Road crews around the region were focused on clearing major arteries, so residents were cautioned not to expect their neighborhood streets to be cleared soon.
In Montgomery County, a barn collapsed, trapping a dozen horses, according to Pete Piringer, spokesman for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue. He said 35 horses were in the Poolesville barn when the roof collapsed about 3 p.m. Firefighters were able to clear away the snow and debris to free the trapped animals. They were homeless but safe.In Montgomery County, a barn collapsed, trapping a dozen horses, according to Pete Piringer, spokesman for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue. He said 35 horses were in the Poolesville barn when the roof collapsed about 3 p.m. Firefighters were able to clear away the snow and debris to free the trapped animals. They were homeless but safe.
There are people who hunker down when blizzards hit and others who embrace the chance for suburban adventure. Melissa Polito and her husband were among bold explorers on Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring, Md., on Saturday afternoon, trudging along in the snow-packed road because there was no sign of a sidewalk anymore.There are people who hunker down when blizzards hit and others who embrace the chance for suburban adventure. Melissa Polito and her husband were among bold explorers on Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring, Md., on Saturday afternoon, trudging along in the snow-packed road because there was no sign of a sidewalk anymore.
“Each step is up to my knees,” said Melissa, bundled in ski pants and jacket, multiple warm layers and double gloves. “Generally, I would not advise walking in the middle of Georgia Avenue, but today we can.”“Each step is up to my knees,” said Melissa, bundled in ski pants and jacket, multiple warm layers and double gloves. “Generally, I would not advise walking in the middle of Georgia Avenue, but today we can.”
Wearing hats and boots and carrying travel mugs of coffee, Carrie Pope and Eran Friedman trudged through knee-high snow in Meridian Hill Park in Northwest Washington, where only a dozen people could be spotted in the snow and wind.Wearing hats and boots and carrying travel mugs of coffee, Carrie Pope and Eran Friedman trudged through knee-high snow in Meridian Hill Park in Northwest Washington, where only a dozen people could be spotted in the snow and wind.
“I love the snow. It’s peaceful, and everyone’s friendlier,” said Pope, 25.“I love the snow. It’s peaceful, and everyone’s friendlier,” said Pope, 25.
“It brings peace and tranquility to a loud and busy city,” said Friedman, 26. “It’s a reset, a mental reset. It’s like a clean slate.”“It brings peace and tranquility to a loud and busy city,” said Friedman, 26. “It’s a reset, a mental reset. It’s like a clean slate.”
In the heart of Arlington’s famous “walkable” neighborhoods, pedestrians took advantage of the plowed Clarendon Boulevard to stretch their legs Saturday morning.In the heart of Arlington’s famous “walkable” neighborhoods, pedestrians took advantage of the plowed Clarendon Boulevard to stretch their legs Saturday morning.
“We’re only going a half-block,” said Mike Carr, pushing infant Ciaran in a stroller at the corner of Adams and Clarendon, while Nellie Carr oversaw their 3-year-old daughter Nori. “We live right there and we’re going to Courthouse Plaza for breakfast with the in-laws.”“We’re only going a half-block,” said Mike Carr, pushing infant Ciaran in a stroller at the corner of Adams and Clarendon, while Nellie Carr oversaw their 3-year-old daughter Nori. “We live right there and we’re going to Courthouse Plaza for breakfast with the in-laws.”
Only a couple of businesses were open Saturday at National Harbor, in Prince George’s County, but for those that were it was a sense of community that motivated them.Only a couple of businesses were open Saturday at National Harbor, in Prince George’s County, but for those that were it was a sense of community that motivated them.
“We are here to serve the people of the harbor,” said Chantal Farah, a CVS pharmacist. “They count on us. They trust us, and we cannot betray their trust.”“We are here to serve the people of the harbor,” said Chantal Farah, a CVS pharmacist. “They count on us. They trust us, and we cannot betray their trust.”
At trendy Maketto on H Street in the District, someone still has to make the doughnuts. And the croissants, the banana cream pie, the coffee caramel profiteroles.At trendy Maketto on H Street in the District, someone still has to make the doughnuts. And the croissants, the banana cream pie, the coffee caramel profiteroles.
Diana and Ben Mullen and their 18-month-old son, Parker, were among the early arrivals to enjoy them. “We wanted a little bit of an adventure,” said Ben, 32, as he held his son on his lap.Diana and Ben Mullen and their 18-month-old son, Parker, were among the early arrivals to enjoy them. “We wanted a little bit of an adventure,” said Ben, 32, as he held his son on his lap.
As for the blizzard, they were impressed, but not overly so.As for the blizzard, they were impressed, but not overly so.
“Where I’m from, this is normal,” said Diana, 30, who is originally from Upstate New York. “We have these in October.”“Where I’m from, this is normal,” said Diana, 30, who is originally from Upstate New York. “We have these in October.”
To Charles Boettger and his wife, Kelly, the snowfall felt like something of a holiday. They’ve lived in Silver Spring, Md., for three years and miss the big snowfalls they grew up with — he in western Iowa, she in Colorado.To Charles Boettger and his wife, Kelly, the snowfall felt like something of a holiday. They’ve lived in Silver Spring, Md., for three years and miss the big snowfalls they grew up with — he in western Iowa, she in Colorado.
They woke up Saturday with a sense of excitement.They woke up Saturday with a sense of excitement.
By late morning, they were happily shoveling their driveway with Cassie, their 8-year-old dog. “We’ve moved a lot of snow in our time,” Charles said. “You want to move as much if it as you can while it’s light and fluffy and before it gets packed.”By late morning, they were happily shoveling their driveway with Cassie, their 8-year-old dog. “We’ve moved a lot of snow in our time,” Charles said. “You want to move as much if it as you can while it’s light and fluffy and before it gets packed.”
About 90 minutes in, they stepped back from their good work and considered how best to enjoy it.About 90 minutes in, they stepped back from their good work and considered how best to enjoy it.
Snow patio!Snow patio!
Kelly located two white plastic patio chairs. The couple set them up in the cleared part of the driveway as snow continued to fall. They broke out a couple of beers.Kelly located two white plastic patio chairs. The couple set them up in the cleared part of the driveway as snow continued to fall. They broke out a couple of beers.
Public health researcher Jennafer Kwait is not a fan of wintertime, but Saturday afternoon she was at a Chevy Chase, Md., sledding hill with her 9-year-old son, Eli Kwait-Spitzer. “I feel like the window when he is going to like doing this is closing,” she said. “I don’t like the cold, but I made an effort to get out.”Public health researcher Jennafer Kwait is not a fan of wintertime, but Saturday afternoon she was at a Chevy Chase, Md., sledding hill with her 9-year-old son, Eli Kwait-Spitzer. “I feel like the window when he is going to like doing this is closing,” she said. “I don’t like the cold, but I made an effort to get out.”
Eli took a few runs by himself and with his dad, Allan Spitzer. Now mom was up. “Mom, come on,” Eli yelled. “Do you want to be in the front or the back?”Eli took a few runs by himself and with his dad, Allan Spitzer. Now mom was up. “Mom, come on,” Eli yelled. “Do you want to be in the front or the back?”
Frantona O’Neal, 50, heard the storm was coming last week and knew he had better find shelter. Word on the street was that Arlington’s 24-hour homeless shelter and emergency services center, which has beds, a cafeteria, medical help and social services, was a good place.Frantona O’Neal, 50, heard the storm was coming last week and knew he had better find shelter. Word on the street was that Arlington’s 24-hour homeless shelter and emergency services center, which has beds, a cafeteria, medical help and social services, was a good place.
“There’s four walls and three meals a day,” O’Neal said. “That’s the important thing.”“There’s four walls and three meals a day,” O’Neal said. “That’s the important thing.”
Eating a cheese sandwich and chips for lunch, O’Neal was one of more than 80 people who sought shelter this weekend. The shelter, built to house 50, can hold 75 when the weather is extreme and people bed down on mats in the cafeteria. Four of the five medical beds also were filled.Eating a cheese sandwich and chips for lunch, O’Neal was one of more than 80 people who sought shelter this weekend. The shelter, built to house 50, can hold 75 when the weather is extreme and people bed down on mats in the cafeteria. Four of the five medical beds also were filled.
Shaka Barnes, 27, said he used to stay in abandoned buildings “and other places where people on the street go.” He arrived at the shelter about four months ago and has been getting medication for his paranoid schizophrenia.Shaka Barnes, 27, said he used to stay in abandoned buildings “and other places where people on the street go.” He arrived at the shelter about four months ago and has been getting medication for his paranoid schizophrenia.
“They give us a lot of food and our beds. The bathrooms are big and clean,” he said. “One of the things that affects me with my mental illness is how crowded a place is. This is very comfortable and it has a lot of space.”“They give us a lot of food and our beds. The bathrooms are big and clean,” he said. “One of the things that affects me with my mental illness is how crowded a place is. This is very comfortable and it has a lot of space.”
by Peter Hermann,
Michael E. Ruane and Shawn Boburg
The Washington region awoke Saturday under a blanket of heavy, wind-driven snow that was more than a foot deep in many places, with the East Coast under a blizzard warning from central Virginia to New England.
Some power outages were reported in Virginia and Maryland, especially in Annapolis and on Maryland’s eastern shore. Snowplows appeared to have kept many major roadways clear, although the Capital Beltway at the U.S. 50 interchange was clogged with disabled or stuck cars.
Transportation officials had urged people to stay off the roads, and most seemed to have heeded the warnings: Most streets were deserted at dawn, and traffic was minimal.
In downtown Washington, a foot of snow was on the ground by 5 a.m., with more reported in the Virginia and Maryland suburbs.
By 7:30 a.m. there were 14 inches at Reagan National Airport, 16 inches reported in Springfield, Va., and 18 inches in Damascus. Germantown had 16 inches, Bethesda 16 inches, and Washington’s Petworth neighborhood 14.5 inches.
The National Weather Service forecast map was red with blizzard alerts from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay.
Wind restrictions were in place on the Bay Bridge, as gusts over 40 mph tore at flags, and downed wires blocked some streets.
The Saturday forecast called for heavy snow and higher winds out of the north. An additional foot of snow was possible. Thunder and lightning were also reported.
Off the coast, where the low-pressure system fueling the snowstorm was churning, wind gusts as strong as 60 mph were expected with towering ocean waves of 20 feet in height.
As the storm raged, District police had to search for a 9-year-old boy who went missing Friday afternoon in Northeast Washington. Police said Di’Marco Dempsy went missing about 4 p.m. Friday from his home in the 4900 block of 12th Street NE.
Saturday morning, police reported that Di’Marco was found safe and unharmed.
According to the National Weather Service, the record for the biggest two-day snowstorm in Washington was set Jan. 27-28, 1922, when 26 inches fell, collapsing the roof of the Knickerbocker Theater in Adams Morgan, killing more than 100 people.
The current storm grew in power just after midnight Friday. By 2 a.m. Saturday, snow was falling so fast that the National Weather Service issued a special statement that said the pace of the snowfall, as well as heavy wind gusts, were creating near whiteout conditions.
“Expect snowfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour within this band,” the statement said.
People had already taken to social media at that hour to report snowfall totals between 9 and 11 inches.
The region shut down Friday as the winter storm of potentially history-making magnitude swept in with the prospect of lasting 36 hours and leaving more than two feet of snow in some places. Cleanup from the storm is expected to take days.
The snow’s arrival found Washington and its suburbs as prepared as they could be after days of warnings that this was a massive storm. Despite the hyperbole used before for many storms, this one genuinely looked like it would be the storm of the young century for the region — and perhaps one that would be remembered for generations.
By midnight, five to eights inches had already fallen, except in areas area Fredericksburg to southern Maryland, which had totals from eight to 10 inches. That was on track with the latest forecast from The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang, which called for a total of 16 to 30 inches.
Hundreds of plows and salt trucks took to the major roads in Maryland and Virginia even before the snowfall began. But with the snow expected to keep falling as fast as three inches an hour, it seemed a matter of time before even those big arteries would be shut down.
With temperatures just below freezing, the snow was heavy with moisture, and the forecast of gale force winds posed a threat to trees and power lines, raising fears that snowbound residents would be left in the dark and without heat.
Pepco, which provides power to the District and much of the Maryland suburbs, warned customers that they may face multi-day outages. Dominion Virginia Power, which serves Northern Virginia, had similar fears.
“We began advising our customers earlier this week to prepare for a multi-day outage event. It’s always best to prepare for the worst,” said Dominion spokesman David Botkins. “With that said, we will be swarming the affected areas with crews to get the lights and heat back on as quickly and safely as possible.”
As of dawn Saturday, however, power remained on for most customers in the Washington area.
From the outset, the snow readily took hold on pavement and parked cars that had been in near or below freezing temperatures all week.
Government officials and police agencies had warned residents to gather supplies and stay off the roads.
By 5 p.m. Friday, conditions began to deteriorate rapidly, and D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser urged stragglers to get off the streets. She said the District National Guard had reported for duty and would be deployed to transport personnel around the city as needed.
“We have a forecast that we haven’t had in 90 years,” Bowser (D) said. “It has life-and-death implications, and all the residents of the District of Columbia should treat it that way.”
Virtually all institutions and attractions in and around the capital region — including the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo — said they would be closed through the weekend. Metro said it did not plan to resume bus and rail service until Monday.
Though the region’s three major airports said they would remain open, airlines already had canceled hundreds of flights in and out of them. Amtrak said it hoped to operate on a reduced schedule along the Northeast Corridor line but encouraged would-be passengers to check before heading to the train station.
District officials said they were well staffed with emergency personnel but cautioned that responses might be delayed.
City officials warned residents that the city will be dealing with cleanup throughout the coming week and said residents should not expect to see snow plows before Sunday.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) echoed that call for patience, saying it would take time for crews to clear the snow.
“We’re not magicians,” he said. “We can’t make it disappear.”
by Peter Hermann,
Michael E. Ruane and Shawn Boburg
The Washington region awoke Saturday under a blanket of heavy, wind-driven snow that was more than a foot deep in many places, with the East Coast under a blizzard warning from central Virginia to New England.
Some power outages were reported in Virginia and Maryland, especially in Annapolis and on Maryland’s eastern shore. Snowplows appeared to have kept many major roadways clear, although the Capital Beltway at the U.S. 50 interchange was clogged with disabled or stuck cars.
Transportation officials had urged people to stay off the roads, and most seemed to have heeded the warnings: Most streets were deserted at dawn, and traffic was minimal.
In downtown Washington, a foot of snow was on the ground by 5 a.m., with more reported in the Virginia and Maryland suburbs.
By 7:30 a.m. there were 14 inches at Reagan National Airport, 16 inches reported in Springfield, Va., and 18 inches in Damascus. Germantown had 16 inches, Bethesda 16 inches, and Washington’s Petworth neighborhood 14.5 inches.
The National Weather Service forecast map was red with blizzard alerts from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay.
Wind restrictions were in place on the Bay Bridge, as gusts over 40 mph tore at flags, and downed wires blocked some streets.
The Saturday forecast called for heavy snow and higher winds out of the north. An additional foot of snow was possible. Thunder and lightning were also reported.
Off the coast, where the low-pressure system fueling the snowstorm was churning, wind gusts as strong as 60 mph were expected with towering ocean waves of 20 feet in height.
As the storm raged, District police had to search for a 9-year-old boy who went missing Friday afternoon in Northeast Washington. Police said Di’Marco Dempsy went missing about 4 p.m. Friday from his home in the 4900 block of 12th Street NE.
Saturday morning, police reported that Di’Marco was found safe and unharmed.
According to the National Weather Service, the record for the biggest two-day snowstorm in Washington was set Jan. 27-28, 1922, when 26 inches fell, collapsing the roof of the Knickerbocker Theater in Adams Morgan, killing more than 100 people.
The current storm grew in power just after midnight Friday. By 2 a.m. Saturday, snow was falling so fast that the National Weather Service issued a special statement that said the pace of the snowfall, as well as heavy wind gusts, were creating near whiteout conditions.
“Expect snowfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour within this band,” the statement said.
People had already taken to social media at that hour to report snowfall totals between 9 and 11 inches.
The region shut down Friday as the winter storm of potentially history-making magnitude swept in with the prospect of lasting 36 hours and leaving more than two feet of snow in some places. Cleanup from the storm is expected to take days.
The snow’s arrival found Washington and its suburbs as prepared as they could be after days of warnings that this was a massive storm. Despite the hyperbole used before for many storms, this one genuinely looked like it would be the storm of the young century for the region — and perhaps one that would be remembered for generations.
By midnight, five to eights inches had already fallen, except in areas area Fredericksburg to southern Maryland, which had totals from eight to 10 inches. That was on track with the latest forecast from The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang, which called for a total of 16 to 30 inches.
Hundreds of plows and salt trucks took to the major roads in Maryland and Virginia even before the snowfall began. But with the snow expected to keep falling as fast as three inches an hour, it seemed a matter of time before even those big arteries would be shut down.
With temperatures just below freezing, the snow was heavy with moisture, and the forecast of gale force winds posed a threat to trees and power lines, raising fears that snowbound residents would be left in the dark and without heat.
Pepco, which provides power to the District and much of the Maryland suburbs, warned customers that they may face multi-day outages. Dominion Virginia Power, which serves Northern Virginia, had similar fears.
“We began advising our customers earlier this week to prepare for a multi-day outage event. It’s always best to prepare for the worst,” said Dominion spokesman David Botkins. “With that said, we will be swarming the affected areas with crews to get the lights and heat back on as quickly and safely as possible.”
As of dawn Saturday, however, power remained on for most customers in the Washington area.
From the outset, the snow readily took hold on pavement and parked cars that had been in near or below freezing temperatures all week.
Government officials and police agencies had warned residents to gather supplies and stay off the roads.
By 5 p.m. Friday, conditions began to deteriorate rapidly, and D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser urged stragglers to get off the streets. She said the District National Guard had reported for duty and would be deployed to transport personnel around the city as needed.
“We have a forecast that we haven’t had in 90 years,” Bowser (D) said. “It has life-and-death implications, and all the residents of the District of Columbia should treat it that way.”
Virtually all institutions and attractions in and around the capital region — including the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo — said they would be closed through the weekend. Metro said it did not plan to resume bus and rail service until Monday.
Though the region’s three major airports said they would remain open, airlines already had canceled hundreds of flights in and out of them. Amtrak said it hoped to operate on a reduced schedule along the Northeast Corridor line but encouraged would-be passengers to check before heading to the train station.
District officials said they were well staffed with emergency personnel but cautioned that responses might be delayed.
City officials warned residents that the city will be dealing with cleanup throughout the coming week and said residents should not expect to see snow plows before Sunday.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) echoed that call for patience, saying it would take time for crews to clear the snow.
“We’re not magicians,” he said. “We can’t make it disappear.”