DC Snowfall Guide: Snow Removal, Traffic Updates

WASHINGTON, DC -- Well, that escalated quickly. What went from a slight chance of a few snowflakes on Saturday morning has turned into a forecast of up to four inches for our area. Here's what you need to know about snow removal and what it could mean for traffic in our area.

Who removes the snow in D.C.?

The District Snow Team will be tackling any snowfall on Saturday. The team is composed of the Department of Public Works and the District Department of Transportation, with the assistance of other DC government agencies.

"If the weather prediction indicates a significant accumulation of snow, the Mayor may declare a snow emergency, and parking will be prohibited on streets that are designated as snow emergency routes (signs with red lettering are posted along these routes)," according to the D.C. Department of Works website."This will allow the District Snow Team to clear the streets curb-to-curb. In general, rush-hour streets also are snow emergency routes."

The D.C. has 345 piece sof equipment and about 750 personnel available during a storm, as well as additional contract plows for major weather events. The Snow Team will be pre-treating bridges, overpasses, ramps, and other elevated structures and streets before a storm.

What about walkways and sidewalks?

D.C. law requires owners of residential and commercial properties to remove snow and ice from their sidewalks within the first eight hours of daylight after a storm. If they aren't cleared within 24 hours, commercial property owners could receive a $150 fine and residential property owners face a $25 fine.

What tips should I observe while shoveling?

From the D.C. government website:

• Do not shovel after eating or while smoking.
• Take it slow and stretch out before you begin.
• Shovel only fresh, powdery snow; it’s lighter.
• Push the snow rather than lifting it.
• If you do lift it, use a small shovel or only partially fill the shovel.
• Lift with your legs, not your back.
• Do not work to the point of exhaustion.
• Don’t pick up that shovel without a doctor’s permission if you have a history of heart disease. If you feel tightness in the chest or dizziness, stop immediately.

How will this affect traffic?

Since the snow is falling on Saturday, we'll be spared a rush-hour nightmare in the D.C. area. However, it can still cause problems, so you should monitor the National Weather Service's social media feeds for any updates.

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