UPDATE: Blizzard Warning Continues for Alexandria

PHOTO of snow operations Saturday on King Street courtesy of Alexandria Fire Department

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ALEXANDRIA, VA -- UPDATE 9 p.m.: The National Weather Service Blizzard Warning continues for the Alexandria area through Sunday, Jan. 24, at 6 a.m., the City reports.

The Commonwealth of Virginia and the City of Alexandria are under states of emergency. This storm is potentially life-threatening, with heavy wind and approximately 24 inches of snow predicted. All roads should be considered impassable to non-emergency vehicles.

The City notes that its first priority is to make primary routes passable for emergency vehicles. As of Saturday afternoon, crews have completed at least one pass of primary routes and have started on secondary routes. Due to the volume of snow and whiteout conditions, crews will have to return to primary routes before they can complete secondary routes and move to residential routes.

There are approximately 80 snow trucks in operation around the city, and we ask for everyone’s patience over the next few days as crews work as quickly as possible to reach all streets. We will not reach residential streets on Saturday.

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The City of Alexandria has seen 50 percent more snow in the past 24 hours than the annual average, the City noted late Saturday afternoon.

The continuing falling snow and winds Saturday have hampered efforts to clear roadways. The City’s 70 trucks are still working on primary routes and won’t be getting to any residential streets Saturday, the City said.

Due to whiteout conditions, plow operators have had to slow down in some cases in Alexandria. So if you see a plow operator pausing, it’s likely due to safety reasons, according to the City.

What can you do to help? “It’s absolutely imperative that everyone stay indoors and off the roads,” said City spokesman Craig Fifer late Saturday afternoon. “Other than that, we just ask for folks to check on their neighbors or others who may need help, and clear the fire hydrants near them as much as possible.”

The City also asks residents not to shovel snow into the streets, which would hamper efforts to clear the roads.

Forecast for Sunday and Monday in Alexandria:

• Sunday: Blowing snow, then sunny, high of 31 degrees
• Monday: Mostly sunny, high of 37 degrees