WASHINGTON -

The StormWatch blog is continuously updated. The most recent posts are at the top.

9:20 p.m. I've had enough -- ABC 7/NewsChannel 8's live coverage resumes at 6 a.m.

My friends in weather assure me the storm -- Snowpocalypse 2009 -- is tapering and will end overnight. We can expect about another inch at most. But it seems most activities -- including churche services -- have been canceled for Sunday. Some schools have already called off classes for Monday. CLICK HERE for the latest list.

Reagan National Airport (web | news) reopens at 6a.m. Metro says it's storing trains underground overnight in hopes of using them Sunday.

This blog will resume by 6 a.m.

BUT FIRST -- SNOW TOTALS:

The National Weather Service (web | news) 's (unofficial) snow total data shows that the storm was pretty much as expecedt: 16-22 inches across the region. These are the latest numbers (in inches) -- but note the time they were reported.

The District

• The National Mall: 16.0 @ 6:15 p.m.

Anne Arundel County

• Annapolis: 20.8 @ 7:00 p.m.

Charles County

• Bryans Road: 19.2 @ 6:20 p.m.

Frederick County

• New Market: 20.0 @ 600 p.m.

Howard County

• Columbia: 21.2 @ 6:50 p.m.

Montgomery County (web | news)

• Germantown: 22.0 @ 6:50 p.m.
• Rockville: 17.0 @ 5: 49 p.m.

Prince George's County

• Bowie: 18.5 @ 6:36 p.m.

Arlington County

• Ballston: 18.5 @ 6:30 p.m.
• Reagan National Airport: 15.4 @ 7:22 p.m.

Fairfax County (web | news)

• Centreville 1 se 22.0 @ 7:20 p.m.
• Reston: 18.0 @ 5:30 p.m.

Loudoun County (web | news)

• Bluemont: 21.0 @ 7:45 p.m.

West Virginia

• Vanville: 20.0 @ 5:04 p.m.
• Charles Town: 21.5 @ 4:00 p.m.

8:30 p.m. I-95 Northbound Blocked at Dale City

VDOT reports that I-95 at the 161 mile post (near Rte. 123/Gordon Road) because of several disabled vehicles. It's expected to reopen by 9 p.m.

7:54 p.m. Circulator Buses to Start Two Hours Late Sunday

From DDOT: The Circulator plans to begin service two hours late on Sunday morning; the system will open at 9 a.m. instead of 7 a.m. to allow sufficient time to clear the routes before restarting operation.

6:15 p.m. Section of I-95 northbound near Fredericksburg shut down.

VDOT reports that a portion of I-95 northbound at mile 146-147, near Fredericksburg, is snow-covered and impassable. Crews and equipment are en route to treat and plow.
Motorists waiting in traffic should: 

• Stay in their cars 
• Conserve their fuel by turning off their vehicle. VDOT recommends running the car engine for heat for 10 minutes and then turning off the engine for 20 minutes. 
• Understand that it will take time for emergency crews to reach them, but state and local personnel are working to get to them.

6:12 p.m. More Schools Closings

We're learning about more schools closing on Monday -- and even Tuesday.

• Loudoun County Schools will be closed Monday and Tueday.
• Stafford County Schools will be closed Monday.
• Berkeley County, W.Va., Schools will be closed Monday.
• Morgan County, W.Va., Schools will be closed Monday.

CLICK HERE for the up-to-the minute list of closings.

5:53 p.m. BWI (web | news) Flight Woes.

The AP just broke a story about passengers on an Air Jamaica flight who were stuck for hours after the plane repeatedly got stuck trying to take off. The flight was eventually canceled. CLICK HERE for the complete story.

5:34 p.m. VSP Update on Northern Virginia Roads

"Virginia State Police are reporting heavy snow across Northern Virginia. The Springfield Interchange is reportedly clear right now and traffic is moving through. State Police are actively working on a few problem spots around I-395 at Shirlington. Due to slick conditions, the most common problem Virginia State Police are dealing with is disabled vehicles, especially on ramps - vehicles sliding off the interstates and getting stuck - no damage to the vehicles. Few injuries have been reported.

"A Virginia State Police Trooper's patrol car was struck by an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) on Route 7 in Loudoun this afternoon. Fortunately, no one was injured in the collision.

Since midnight through 4 p.m. Saturday, Virginia State Police statewide have responded to more than 2,900 traffic crashes and disabled vehicles. State police will continued its increased staffing levels to respond to continuing calls for service. State police are also working closely with VDOT to respond to and clear roadways of crashes and disabled vehicles.

As conditions worsen through the night due to freezing temperatures and additional snowfall, Virginians are still advised not to go out on the roads unless absolutely necessary. Holiday parties and travel plans are best postponed tonight for everyone's safety.

Virginia State Police have no reported weather-related traffic fatalities in Northern VA.

5:27 p.m. Gov. O'Malley Declares Emergency in Maryland

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has declared a state of emergency as a powerful winter storm continues to dump snow across the state. CLICK HERE for full story.

5:13 p.m. D.C. Police Statement on Gun at Snowball Fight/Protest

D.C. police have made a statement about the incident at 14th and U streets Saturday afternoon. CLICK HERE for full story.

5:11 p.m. BWI-Marshall Temporarily Closed

BWI Airport closed at 1:40 p.m. A check of the Web site shows no departing or arriving fights before 11 p.m. CLICK HERE for full story.

5:02 p.m. Red Cross Assists Stranded Greyhound Passengers

The American Red Cross in the National Capital Region has established an operation to feed 300 stranded passengers at the Greyhound Bus station in the District.

Because of the continuing snow emergency, DC HSEMA has requested that no one venture onto the streets unless they are first responders. Once the hazardous conditions have subsided, Red Cross workers will make their way to the site to provide cots, blankets, additional refreshments and comfort to the stranded passengers.

4:57 p.m. Virginia Gov. Kaine's Update:

Following Kaine's declaration of a state of emergency for the Commonwealth Friday, the governor has authorized an additional 600 National Guardsmen to participate in response to the storm.

18 Emergency Operations Centers are currently open across the state; 20 local shelters are offering services to more than 400 individuals; and 27 local emergencies have been declared to date.

Since Friday night, Virginia State Police have assisted motorists and responded to more than 2,900 accidents or disabled vehicles.

"While state authorities remain vigilant in our response efforts, I strongly encourage Virginians to stay off the roadways to avoid accidents and ease snow removal," Kaine said.

4:38 p.m. Electricity Outages

There are surprisingly few power outages.

• Pepco reports five active outages with a total of 104 customers without electricity.
• Dominion Virginia Power reports 793 customers without power in Northern Virginia and 3,935 in the Shenandoah Valley/Western Piedmont area.
• SMECO (So.Md. ) has only 6 (six) outages.

4:25 p.m. Latest from Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority:

Reagan National Airport (DCA):

• All runways are closed until 6:00am Sunday. Snow-clearing crews are continuing to work on the runways.
• Passengers: Do not come to Reagan National because no more flights will operate Saturday.
• The terminal facilities remain open.
• Metrorail is not operating trains to Reagan National's station due to snow depth on the tracks.

Dulles International Airport (web | news) (IAD):

• Snow-clearing crews have been working to keep at least one runway open.
• A few flights have arrived and departed Saturday morning and a few international flights are en route to Dulles. However, most scheduled flights Saturday are canceled.
• The terminal facilities remain open.
• Washington Flyer Coach is not operating between Dulles and West Falls Church Metrorail station due to roadway conditions
• Metrobus is not operating buses between Dulles and Washington, D.C.

4:15 p.m. Cop Draws Gun at Protest/Snowball Fight

ABC 7 News captured video of a police officer with his weapon drawn after a anti-war protesters crashed a snowball fight at 14th and U streets and pelted police with snowballs. CLICK HERE for the story and the video.

4:00 p.m. More Video Updates:

Raw Video: The Snow Removal Battle

Raw Video: Canceled Flights at Dulles.

3:15 p.m. Loudoun County Schools Closed Monday and Tuesday!

A spokesperson said Loudoun County schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday. CLICK HERE for all the closings.

3:05 p.m. Reagan National Airport Closed Until 6 a.m. Sunday

Tara Hamilton, spokesperson for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, says Ronald Reagan National Airport will be closed until 6 a.m. Sunday. That means no flights.

Dulles International Airport has one open runway, which is accommodating a "handful of flights," Hamilton said.

Check with your airline!

2:23 p.m. Ride-On Bus Service Ends at 3 p.m.

Montgomery County Ride On bus service will cease operations at 3 p.m. Saturday due to weather conditions

2:22 p.m. BWI Temporarily Closes

Statement:

BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport was temporarily closed to air traffic at 1:40 p.m.

The airline carriers had cancelled inbound and departing flights, and with the snowfall rate and very low visibility, the decision was made to close the Airport temporarily to allow for continued snow removal.

When conditions are appropriately safe, BWI Marshall will reopen to air traffic. Snow removal efforts continue at the Airport.

2:15 p.m. 1,800 Crashes in Virginia in 12 Hours

An excellent reminder of why you should stay home!

From Virginia State Police:

VSP troopers have responded to more than 4,000 calls for service, including traffic crashes and disabled vehicles.

From midnight Saturday through noon Saturday, state police statewide have responded to more than 1,800 traffic crashes and disabled vehicles. The majority of the crashes have involved damaged vehicles without injuries.

To date, state police have investigated only one fatal weather-related traffic crash. State Police responded to the single-vehicle crash in Carroll County on Route 664 approximately 1/10 of a mile south of Route 662. Due to slick and snowy road conditions, a 2000 Chevrolet Blazer ran off the road and struck a fence and then an embankment. The Blazer overturned and the driver, Barbara L. Allen, 68, of Willis, Va., was thrown from the vehicle. Allen was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene.

 

1:31 p.m. Prince George's County Executive Declares Emergency 

Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson has declared a state of emergency in the county because of the severity of the snow storm that has hit the region.

As part of the snow emergency plan, all cars must be removed from snow emergency routes, which are posted with designated signs, to avoid being ticketed and/or towed.

Motorists are asked to stay off roadways until the storm has ended to allow the Department of Public Works and Transportation's snow plow drivers to clear roadways.

On non-snow emergency routes, residents are asked to park off roadways in driveways or other off-street parking areas. If residents find that they can only park along the roadway, they are requested to park ONLY on the EVEN NUMBERED side of the roadways.
In the event of a medical or other emergency, residents may call the county's Snow Emergency Information Center at 301.350.0500

1:00 p.m. Metro Ends Above-ground Service

Metro has ceased all above-ground service, including Metrorail (above-ground stations are closed), and all Metrobus and MetroAccess.

12:55 p.m. Church Closings

It appears nearly every church in the area is canceling services for Sunday. The Washington Archdiocese said people don't have to attend Mass if roads are "unsafe."

Check our closings page for the latest, CLICK HERE.

12:50 p.m. Viewer Snow Totals:

• Sterling (Judie) 12 inches
• Alexandria (web | news) (Brent) 12 inches
• D.C. (Mary Beth) 11.5 inches
• Frederick (Jason) 12 inches
• Burke (Rob) 14.5 inches
• Manassas (Marge) 15 inches
• Culpeper (Janee) 19.5 inches 

12:20 p.m. Video Updates

Video of the Capital Beltway in  Landover.

VSP Spokesperson Corrine Geller on Va. Roads.

Jay Korff Reports from Springfield.

12:06 a.m. Md. National Guard Activated

The Maryland National Guard is being activated because of the snow emergency.

Lt. Col. Charles Kohler says the adjutant general has authorized up to 200 soldiers to be called on state active duty.

Officials are working with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency to assess requests for assistance. 

11:55 a.m. Metro closing above-ground stations, stopping above-ground rail and all Metro bus and MetroAccess service at 1 p.m.

From Metro:

Metrorail trains will stop serving above-ground stations at 1 p.m. today, Saturday, December 19, due to heavy snowfall that is covering the electrified third rail, which is situated eight inches above the ground. The third rail must be clear of snow and ice because it is the source of electricity that powers the trains. Metro officials believe that by 1 p.m. the exposed third rail will be covered by snow. All Metrobus and MetroAccess service also will stop at 1 p.m. because roadways are quickly becoming impassable.

Metro has 86 stations and 106-miles of track. Forty-seven stations along 50.5 miles of track are located underground and 39 stations along 55.5 miles of track are above ground. All 39 above-ground stations will close at 1 p.m. The modified underground service will operate as follows:

• Yellow Line – Service from Pentagon to Crystal City only
• Red Line – Service between Medical Center and Union Station only
• Orange Line – Service between Ballston and Stadium-Armory only
• Green Line – Service between Fort Totten and Congress Heights only
• Blue Line – Service between Ballston (extended to Blue Line) and Stadium-Armory only 
  
  11:24 a.m.

Fort Belvoir Update: CLICK HERE.

11:20 a.m.

Prince George's County in "Snow Mode"

Prince George's County's Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) crews go into full "snow mode" late tonight and will work 12-hour rotating shifts for as long as necessary to keep more than 1,821 miles (5,000+ lane miles) of county-maintained roadways clear of snow and ice to ensure the safety of residents, citizens, and other folks traveling through the county.

11:18 a.m.

VDOT Fredericksburg Update:

Crews continue efforts to clear area roads. The majority of the roads in 14-county Fredericksburg District are snow covered.

Snow totals around the district range between 5 to 12 inches and snow continues to fall. High winds are creating hazardous driving conditions and drifting snow.

The Middle Peninsula had a mix of snow, rain and sleet some periods overnight. Conditions on the primary routes in those counties are reported as clear but wet and secondary routes have moderate to minor conditions. The followting counties are located along the Middle Peninsula: Mathew, King and Queen, Gloucester, and Middlesex.

The following conditions are being reported from the other counties in the district which includes the Fredericksburg. Caroline and Northern Neck area:

• Interstate 95 - Moderate
• Primary - Moderate
• Secondary - Moderate to severe 

11:15 a.m.

Hospitals are seeking volunteers with four-wheel-drive vehicles:

• Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville - 240-826-7693
• Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park - 301-891-5333
• Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital in Rockville - 240-864-6000
• Sibley Memorial Hospital  -- 202.537.4497.
• Suburban Hospital: go directly to Suburban Hospital at 8600 Old Georgetown Rd. in Bethesda or call 301-896-3123.

BREAKING 10:20 a.m.

Officials in Virginia say the snow storm socking the East Coast has caused several hundred motorists to become stranded in the western part of the state.

Virginia Department of Emergency Management spokesman Bob Spieldenner said Saturday that local and state officials, as well as the National Guard, have helped get about 100 stranded motorists to shelters in two counties. About a foot of snow has fallen in the area.

Spieldenner says many of the motorists became stranded after accidents along Interstate 89 and Route 29 blocked the road.

Officials are using four-wheel drive vehicles and the National Guard is using Humvees to help some of the motorists.

Spieldenner says some people have food and fuel and were opting to stay in their car to wait for the roads to clear.

10:09 a.m.

Charles County has now declared a state of emergency. CLICK HERE.

10:05 a.m.

All three regional airports -- IAD, DCA, BWI -- are reporting mass flight cancellations. Check with your carrier.

9:54 a.m. Tough Commute

ABC 7 Assignment Editor Aja Hubert-Hogg recorded her commute to work through Prince George's County all the way to Arlington, Virginia. Her travelers took her along: Route 301 north; Route 301 to route 4 in Upper Marlboro; westbound on Route 4; I 395.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9:45 a.m. Mayor Fenty's News Conference

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 9:32 a.m.

The National Weather Service has extended it's blizzard warning across much of the viewing area. A Blizzard warning is about visibility, i.e., blowing snow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 9:24 a.m. Traffic Update

The Latest from Metro Traffic's Steve Hershorn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 9:21 a.m.

There's a new update from Fort Belvoir. CLICK HERE.

9:18 a.m.

Mayor Adrian Fenty's news conference is underway. CLICK HERE.

9:16 a.m.

Tysons Corner Galleria delaying opening 3 hours.

9:13 a.m.

Metro Traffic reports many, many crashes, especialy on I -270. CLICK HERE for the latest information.

9:05 a.m.

It looks like most flights across the region have been canceled. Check with your airline.

The latest from Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority:

Reagan National Airport (DCA) - Snow-clearing crews have been working to keep the main north-south runway open. A small number of flights have arrived but most scheduled flights were canceled.

Dulles International Airport (IAD) - Snow-clearing crews have been working to keep at least one runway open. A small number of flights have arrived and departed but most scheduled flights were canceled. 

8:08 a.m.

CLICK HERE to read Metro's latest news release.

 8:05 a.m.

Fort Belvoir is at Code Red, according to a statement.

"Road conditions on post have been downgraded to "RED," indicating conditions have deteriorated to such a hazardous degree that there is to be no non-essential traffic moving about on Fort Belvoir roads.

"If you absolutely must be on the roads, exercise extreme caution.

"Fort Belvoir Commissary officials have advised that the Commissary will be CLOSED today due to the weather.

DeWitt Army Community Hospital has CLOSED all regularly opened clinics for Saturday, Dec. 19, and will reschedule previously scheduled patient appointments. For immediate care, beneficiaries should visit the emergency room. Also, the Dec. 19 flu clinic at Specker Field House has been cancelled. Please continue monitoring the flu hotline at (703) 805-0506 and the DeWitt web site at www.dewitt.wramc.amedd.army.mil for additional updates and information. 

8:04 a.m.

Maryland State Police have declared a Snow Emergency for Montgomery County.

County officials urge residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.

The snow emergency means that cars parked in designated snow emergency routes will be towed, and fire officials are asking residents to help identify and clear fire hydrants in their neighborhoods.

8:02 a.m.

Frederick Bus Service Canceled:

"Due to today's severe winter storm and hazardous road conditions, TransIT Services announced this morning that all services will be canceled for the day."

8:00 a.m.

More Metro updates: My trip in from Columbia Heights was fairly smooth. In a statement, Metro warns: Metrobuses and MetroAccess trips are experiencing major delays due to heavy snow on the area's roads.

Also, there are Circulator bus dispruptions:

"The District Department of Transportation has announced service to the popular DC Circulator line in Georgetown has been interrupted due to the winter storm.

"The DC Circulator is committed to operating safely during the snowstorm and during its cleanup, but can only do so as road conditions allow. The snow fall is coming in rapidly and as such buses returning late last night were having difficulty making it up the hill on Whitehaven Parkway," said DDOT Director Gabe Klein. "Safety is always our top priority and as such we feel at this time we need to reroute this route."

Effective at 7am Saturday December 19, 2009 the Union Station - Georgetown route will be rerouted to serve lower K Street westbound and M Street eastbound in Georgetown. Wisconsin Avenue will not be served north of M Street. Passengers on Wisconsin Avenue may use Metrobus routes 31, 32, and 36.

7:40 am.

Airport delays are beginning to stack up.  Check with you airline directly if you are travelling.  To see the FAA (web | news) status page of airport delays... http://www.wjla.com/weather/air_delays.html

7:25 a.m.

Metro is open but warns that it could switch to underground only service when conditions worsen.  Plowed streets are beginning to get covered again, so please avoid the roads.

6:49 a.m.

I've seen plows on 13th Street and 14th Street in D.C. The Columbia Heights Bureau is packing up and headed into the station on Metro. Stay tuned to ABC 7 and NewsChannel 8 for live snow coverage.

6:30 a.m.

Snow totals:

5" in D.C., 6" in Manassas.

And don't forget to check out our continuously-updated list of closings.

6:25 a.m.

The Associated Press weather wrap is now up. CLICK HERE.

 

6:20 a.m.

It looks like I'll be taking Metro to work. My cab is two hours late.

6:15 a.m.

D.C. Fire and EMS spokesman Peter Piringer: "Stay home. Don't Drive." His advice: "Chill out for awhile. Read a book."

Piringer adds that crews are ready. Ambulances will be using snow chains to get around.

6:00 a.m.

ABC 7 Meteorologist Adam predicts this will be one of the three worst snow storms in Washington history. Up to 20 inches of snow across the region. Another 15 inches could fall in some areas.

Metro Traffic called the situation on the roads "treacherous." There are several crashes reported on the Capital Beltway and I-270.

Suzanne Kennedy reports ice forming on windshields in Chevy Chase, Md., where there were six inches of snow on the ground.

ABC 7 Chief Meteorologist Doug Hill reports 8 inches of snow already in Calvert County, Md. Reagan National was reporting 24 mph winds at 6 a.m., Doug says. Could be in the top ten snow storms of all time.

5:11 a.m.

Even before dawn Saturday, the snow storm had dropped at least five inches of snow in Washington, and there is little sign it will let up for the next 24 hours. Even to a native Minnesotan, this looks like a real blizzard.

This page will act like a blog during the storm. Reports from the field will be posted, along with pictures and video when available, to complement ABC 7/NewsChannel 8's live coverage of the storm, which begins at 6 a.m. Saturday. The newest information will be at the top.

The roads are a mess. Park Road in Northwest D.C. was unplowed but passable. Your humble correspondent is still waiting for a cab that was supposed to arrive 45 minutes ago. Arghh.

ABC 7 Managing Editor Dan Patrick reported slow going on Route 50 from Annapolis into the city.

We've already gotten several iWitness pictures, which will be up shortly.

 Email To Friend