(Washington, DC) The “when” and “how much” of snowfall for this weekend are inconclusive; therefore, the DC Snow Team (Department of Public Works and the District Department of Transportation) has developed a flexible plan to address the possibility of light snow Christmas afternoon, December 25, and heavier snow to arrive Sunday.

Current forecasts are for light snow starting Christmas afternoon and ending in early Saturday evening, while snow on Sunday may begin in the morning and continue through/end Sunday evening.

“The key to this weekend is being flexible. Right now, we plan to have 25 trucks out Saturday afternoon to respond to requests for salt because this snowfall is expected to be light with little accumulation,” said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr.

“Sunday’s snow event, if there is one, could bring some accumulation of snow, but it’s just too soon to be specific,” he said. “Therefore, we plan for a full deployment of about 160 trucks on their routes by 10 am Sunday.”

Drivers and cyclists are reminded to slow down and use caution. Pedestrians are urged to use an abundance of caution when crossing the street because vehicles may slide unexpectedly while attempting to stop at intersections. Travelers are encouraged to use mass transit if possible.

DPW and DDOT remind commuters and residents to:

• Remember that driving on ice is significantly different than driving on snow.
• Use extreme caution and maintain safe speeds and distances from other vehicles.
• Remember even a 4-wheel drive SUV does not perform well on ice and additional safety measures should be followed, including slowing down.
• Be aware of road conditions, particularly black ice which can be deceptive, giving the driver a false sense of security on the road.
• Watch for slippery bridge decks, even when the rest of the pavement is in good condition. Bridge decks will ice up sooner than the adjacent pavement.
• Remember to keep a safe distance from emergency and snow vehicles and please use caution when attempting to pass a snowplow. Give the drivers plenty of room to safely do their jobs.
• Clear all the snow and ice from your vehicle's windows and lights—even the hood and roof—before driving.
• Clear their sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours of the end of a snow/ice storm.
• Help elderly or disabled neighbors remove snow from steps and sidewalks.

For more information about the District’s snow and ice control plan, visit DDOT’s website at ddot.dc.gov or DPW’s website at dpw.dc.gov. You can also follow us on Twitter.com @DDOTDC or @DCDPW for regular updates on road conditions and snow removal efforts.

Media Contacts

• Linda Grant
• (202) 671-2375