378 Crashes Reported, VA Drivers Urged To Stay Off 'Treacherous' Roads

Updated at 10:17 p.m.

Virginia State Police urged residents to stay off the roads Sunday night as several inches of sleet fell across Northern Virginia Sunday after 4 to 6 inches of snow blanketed much of the DC region, causing dangerous travel conditions.

As of 9 p.m. Sunday, Virginia State Police had responded to 378 crashes, 28 of which had injuries.

Across a large part of the Commonwealth, temperatures will drop overnight after daytime melting of snow, ice, and sleet, causing refrozen snow and black ice in spots. Hazard levels rise near bridges and overpasses, as well as daytime shaded areas.

"Drivers should stay off the roads through the day Sunday and into Monday morning. If you are in any of the affected areas, stay off the roadways. A little common sense goes a long way," state police said. "For your safety and the safety of first responders, do not travel."

Power outages have not been an issue so far in the DC metro, but roughly 16,000 customers are without power so far in southwestern Virginia and the Newport News area.

A winter storm warning remains in place across Virginia through 4 a.m. Monday. The governor declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm, and President Trump has approved a presidential disaster declaration. Because of icing expected in the Baltimore-DC area, federal workers have been told to work remotely on Monday.

In a new storm forecast released Sunday morning, the National Weather Service said the DC region will likely see heavy sleet at times, with 2 to 4 inches of daytime sleet accumulation possible. Freezing rain and sleet are expected before 8 p.m., then a slight chance of freezing rain between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

As of 11:30 a.m., nearly 13,000 utility customers were without power statewide, according to the tracking site PowerOutage.US.

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A winter storm warning is in effect for the entire state until 4 a.m. Monday.

Freezing rain will move northwest toward the I-95 corridor and the Beltway area between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., according to The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang.

"If the freezing rain arrives in the early part of that window, it could leave a problematic glaze on top of the snow and sleet, increasing the risk of some power outages even in the Beltway area," the Pos said. "But if it holds off until closer to 7 p.m., it will only last a few hours before the storm subsides, reducing the power outage risk."

Snowfall totals as of 9 a.m. Sunday included:

• Ballston 4.3
• Alexandria 5.5
• Fredericksburg 3.0
• Vienna 5.0
• Herndon 4.6
• Lovettsville 6.0
• Ashburn 5.1
• Woolsey 4.8

Follow @vadotnova and @NWS_BaltWash for real-time updates.

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The storm is also bringing frigid air to Northern Virginia, with high temperatures only reaching the low 20s or teens Tuesday through Friday. Overnight lows at times will be in the single digits.

Cold weather advisories were also issued across much of the area and are expected to expire at noon Saturday.

"A large area of precipitation will overrun Arctic air in place over the Mid-Atlantic. This will lead to widespread significant snow, with the potential for ice today, especially south of Highway 50 and
near and east of Interstate 95," the NWS said Sunday. "In addition to the high threat for
significant snow and ice, very cold temperatures are expected tonight through the middle of next week with sub-zero wind chills likely at times."

Communities included in the winter storm warning are: District of Columbia, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Manassas and Manassas Park.

Here's a look at the detailed National Weather Service for the DC area:

Sunday

Sleet. The sleet could be heavy at times. High near 26. Northeast wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime sleet accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Sunday Night
Freezing rain and sleet before 8pm, then a slight chance of freezing rain between 8pm and 10pm. Low around 17. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. Northwest wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 3. Wind chill values as low as -5. West wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 26. Southwest wind 3 to 8 mph.

Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 6.

Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 21.

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 6.

Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 19.

Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 3.

Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 18.

Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 6.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 22.