Snow May Impact Rush Hour Drive

Winter Weather Advisory

Ashburn and Leesburg appear unlikely to get much of the snow expected in the region Wednesday evening, but Loudoun was tagged in a Winter Weather Advisory issued by the National Weather Service.

A Winter Weather Advisory for snow primarily serves as an alert that snow will cause travel difficulties and that drivers should be prepared for covered roads and limited visibility. The precipitation may impact rush hour.

According to the advisory, which remains in effect until 8 p.m., 1 inch to 3 inches may fall in the advisory area; Loudoun sits on the eastern edge of the advisory area. The higher accumulations are expected in West Virginia, Maryland and extreme northwestern locations in Virginia.

Forecasts call for snow to begin falling mid-afternoon to late afternoon, although some flakes have already been spotted. Temperatures are expected in the mid-30s.

The snow may impact the afternoon commute, so the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office offers these safe driving tips:

• Use brakes carefully. Brake early. Brake correctly. It takes more time to stop in adverse conditions.
• Watch for slippery bridges, even when the rest of the pavement is in good condition. Bridges will ice up sooner than the adjacent pavement.
• Don't use your cruise control in wintry conditions. Even roads that appear clear can have sudden slippery spots and the short touch of your brakes to deactivate the cruise control feature can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
• Don't get overconfident in your 4x4 vehicle. Remember that your four-wheel-drive vehicle may help you get going quicker than other vehicles but it won’t help you stop any faster. Many 4x4 vehicles are heavier than passenger vehicles and actually may take longer to stop. Don’t get overconfident in your 4x4 vehicle’s traction. Your 4x4 can lose traction as quickly as a two-wheel drive vehicle.
• Leave room for maintenance vehicles and plows—stay back a safe stopping distance and don’t pass on the right.
• Know the current road conditions: http://www.511virginia.org. For statewide highway information 24-hours-a-day, call the Highway Helpline at 1-800-367-ROAD or check local traffic incident information at www.loudoun.gov/traffic (www.loudoun.gov/mobiletraffic via your web browsing cell phone).

More information on how to stay safe in the face of winter weather is online at www.loudoun.gov/winter.