(Washington, DC) – The District Snow Team is preparing for predicted snow showers on Tuesday, February 3. The team, still deployed from last week’s storm, will continue salting bridges, elevated surfaces, and the National Highway System, followed by the treatment of major corridors and residential streets.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a forecast for light snow potentially starting on Tuesday between 4 pm and 6 pm. Precipitation is expected to end Wednesday morning by 6 am. There is potential for up to half an inch of snow falling in the District. As temperatures drop, conditions may lead to icy roadways, posing challenges for safe travel. During this time, pedestrians, motorists, and bicyclists should limit outdoor exposure and proceed with caution when traveling on roads and walkways.
Residents are encouraged to prepare for snow and ice removal by clearing snow early and often. Applying salt or a sand mix before and during snowfall can improve traction and make shoveling easier, with pet-friendly calcium chloride recommended when temperatures drop below 20°F. Shovel during or shortly after the snow using proper lifting technique and apply a light layer of ice melt after clearing to help prevent refreezing. As a reminder, residents and businesses are required to clear snow from sidewalks within the first eight hours of daylight following a snow event.
Residents are also encouraged to stay vigilant and help neighbors experiencing homelessness in need of shelter by calling the Shelter Hotline. To request free, accessible transportation for yourself or someone else, call the Shelter Hotline at 202-399-7093 or by dialing 311. If you believe there is an immediate medical emergency, call 911.
Trash Collection
The Department of Public Works resumed trash, recycling, and food waste collections on Monday, beginning on the normal schedule. Residents are encouraged to place trash and recycling bins at their normal collection point. Food waste bins should be placed at the front curb to support safe and efficient service while crews continue working through weather-related impacts.
If your trash or recycling is not collected on your scheduled day, please leave your bins out, as missed collections will be prioritized the following day. If materials have not been collected within two days, residents should report the issue to 311.
Updates as of Tuesday morning:
Frontside collections
DPW has completed Monday frontside collections and began Tuesday frontside collection today on the normal schedule.
Alley clearing
Bobcats have cleared pathways through all Monday collection alleys and will finish clearing pathways through Tuesday alleys today. Later today, teams will begin clearing pathways through Wednesday collection alleys.
Alley collections
Monday alley collections are continuing today and then crews will begin Tuesday alley collections. Tuesday alley collections are likely to continue into tomorrow.
Residential Snow Clearing
Residential property owners who are not enrolled in the Sidewalk Shoveling Exemption Program are required to clear snow and ice from their sidewalks within the first eight hours of daylight following the end of a snow event.
ServeDC urges residents to volunteer to clear sidewalks for senior residents and those with access and functional needs through the DC Volunteer Snow Team. Residents can register for the DC Volunteer Snow Team at snowteam.dc.gov.
Businesses
Commercial property owners are required to clear snow and ice from their sidewalks within the first eight hours of daylight following the end of a snow event. DPW recommends that restaurant owners bring in all furniture and other elements within the outdoor dining areas, except for the barriers. Failure to do so may result in damage to the furniture or other materials.
Cold Weather and Shelters
A Cold Alert is currently in effect. The District opens Hypothermia Shelters to ensure there are warm, safe places to be for anyone experiencing homelessness. For a list of shelters and other information about hypothermia season, visit cold.dc.gov. Cold Alerts and Extreme Cold Alerts are shared through AlertDC, the District’s emergency public notification system. Residents can sign up for free email and text alerts and updates at alert.dc.gov.
Cold Weather Safety Precautions:
- Stay inside if you can.
- Cover up and limit exposed skin when you go outside.
- Check on your neighbors and learn the signs of hypothermia, especially in young children, the elderly, and those with access and functional needs who are the most vulnerable in our community.
- For all animal emergencies, including animals left outside in extreme temperatures, call the Brandywine Valley SPCA at 202-888-PETS.
What’s Open
Low-Barrier Shelters
The following low-barrier shelters are open 24/7 year-round (except where noted):
Women
- Harriet Tubman – 1910 Massachusetts Avenue SE
- Pat Handy – 810 5th Street NW
- St. Josephine Bakhita – 6010 Georgia Avenue NW (7 pm to 7 am only)
Men
- 801 East – 2722 Martin L. King Jr. Avenue SE
- Adams Place – 2210 Adams Place NE
- Emery – 1725 Lincoln Road NE
- New York Avenue – 1355 New York Avenue NE
LGBTQ+
- Living Life Alternative – 400 50th Street SE
Hypothermia Shelters
The following hypothermia shelters are currently open around the clock through Thursday, February 5, at 7 am:
Women
- Eve’s Place – 2210 Adams Place NE
- Harbor Light – 2100 New York Avenue NE
Men
- 801 East Day Center – 2722 Martin L. King Jr. Avenue SE
- Blair Hypothermia – 635 I Street NE
- Emery Hypothermia – 1725 Lincoln Road NE
- Federal City 1 North – 425 2nd Street NW
- Naylor Road – 2601 Naylor Road SE
- Salvation Army – 3335 Sherman Avenue NW
Please note: Adjustments to hours and facilities may occur if circumstances dictate (e.g., utility issues, weather-related access, etc.)
District Snow Team Deployment
The snow team will engage in a full deployment, consisting of more than 200 heavy and light plows. Heavy plows (six- and 10-wheel dump trucks) treat highways, streets, bridges, ramps, and other elevated structures, and light plows (pick-up trucks) treat smaller streets.
Residential and commercial property owners are encouraged to spread abrasives (e.g., salt, pet-friendly deicer, or non-clumping kitty litter) on their sidewalks before precipitation begins to reduce the possibility of icing and to prevent slips and falls.
The Department of General Services (DGS) began deploying their snow team at 8:00 p.m. on Monday to pretreat all DC government properties, including walkways, driveways and entryways at fire houses, police stations, DC Public Schools (DCPS) buildings, DHS shelters, senior wellness centers, Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) sites, and more. Based on the performance of the storm, DGS is prepared to move into removal, cleanup, and post-treatment operations. For more information on DGS snow and ice operations, visit dgs.dc.gov/service/snow-and-ice-operations-faqs.
DPW leads the District Snow Team with support from DDOT, DGS, HSEMA, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Serve DC, and several other agencies.
Residents and commuters are encouraged to register for important weather alerts from the District by signing up for AlertDC at alert.dc.gov. For preparedness tips and additional details on the District’s snow response, visit the Snow Season FAQ Guide.
Winter Weather Safety and Preparedness Tips
- Find your snow shovel and make sure it is adequate for another snow season.
- Check your supply of abrasives – deicer, rock salt or non-clumping kitty litter – and get more if necessary.
- Avoid driving during the worst part of the storm. If possible, only travel during daylight hours, don’t travel alone, and stay on main roads instead of taking shortcuts.
- Have enough over-the-counter and prescription medications for your family and pets.
- Make sure your gutters are cleared of leaves. Call 311 to report clogged storm drains/catch basins and other non-emergency hazards or damage.
- Keep your vehicle’s fluid tanks – gas, water, antifreeze and windshield wiper – full.
- Have a flashlight, blankets, and scrapers in your vehicle before a storm begins.
- Install a battery-operated or battery back-up CO detector in your home and/or replace the batteries in existing devices.
- Do not use a gas oven, generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline burning device inside your home, basement, or garage.
- Avoid frozen pipes by allowing a small trickle of water to run through the pipes.
The District Snow Team will continue to monitor the weather forecast and adjust its response as necessary. For more information about DC’s snow program and preparing for winter weather, visit snow.dc.gov.
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