Arlington Preps for Possible Winter Weather; Chance of Rain, Snow Early Tuesday

With a chance of rain and snow possible for the Tuesday morning rush hour, Arlington County has begun making preliminary plans for the chance of winter weather.

The National Weather Service has forecast a 30 percent chance of showers after 3 a.m. Tuesday, which could mix with snow after 5 a.m.

That mix could last through the morning, with the chance of snow flurries between 9 a.m. and noon. Tuesday should gradually become mostly sunny with a high near 41. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.

In advance of the forecast, Arlington County announced its plans for winter.

The county has a team that includes 92 drivers and 46 trucks with salt spreaders and plows. Eight of the trucks are also equipped with salt brine sprayers, according to a news release.

Once snow, ice or freezing rain is forecast, Arlington preps its plows and salt trucks, the release states.

During a winter storm, the crews' first priority is clearing the main traffic routes within the county for emergency vehicles and public transportation. You can see a map of those routes here.

The county has a three-phase system of dealing with winter weather.

Given this week's forecast, it's possible the county won't move past the alert phase for the first dose of winter weather. Residents should be prepared and stay informed. In the case of snow accumulation, the county asks that cars are moved off the street when possible or that residents coordinate with their neighbors or civic associations to confine cars to one side of a street. Snow removal crews need 15 feet to move down a street.

The county will post updates on Facebook or Twitter. Also, the Arlington's Snow and Ice Central page features 83 traffic cameras.