This story, originally published at 3:11 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2024, was updated at 5:15 p.m. on Feb. 16, 2024, to add that snow projections have increased from 4 to 6 inches.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter storm warning for Montgomery County on Friday afternoon and is now projected to receive 4 to 6 inches of snow from 11 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Saturday, which is higher than its earlier forecasts.
NWS said that a winter storm warning “indicates that heavy snow of at least 6 inches in 12 hours, or at least 8 inches in 24 hours, is expected.”
The “reasonable worst case” for snow accumulation in the Washington, D.C., area is 7 inches and the “low end amount” shows 1 inch, according to NWS.
NWS said in a release that people should “plan on slippery road conditions,” and that “the hazardous conditions could impact travel Friday night into Saturday morning.”
Also, NWS said that “snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible for a few hours under the heaviest snow bands” and “visibility may be reduced to less than one half mile at times.”
Additionally, people should “slow down and use caution while traveling,” and when going outside, they should watch their first steps on steps, sidewalks and driveways because they could be icy and slick, according to NWS.
On Thursday morning, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) said on social media that highway services crews have started pre-treating local roads with salt.
MCDOT’s Storm Operations Center will activate at 10 p.m. Friday to monitor weather and treatment operations, according to a release.
Montgomery County officials said that residents should avoid driving if possible, and if travel is required, they ask people to utilize MCDOT’s Ride On bus service.
The county government said that ice and snow could cause down trees and power outages, and urge people to sign up for Alert Montgomery, the county’s emergency warning system that sends alerts to cell phones and emails.
Residents can call their service provider if they are experiencing a power outage: BGE at 877-778-2222, Potomac Edison/First Energy at 888-544-487 and PEPCO at 877-737-2662.
For water main breaks, people can call Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission at 301-206-4002 or send an email to EmergencyCallCenter@wsscwater.com.
Also, the county said that residents should report downed trees or wires in the roadway by calling Montgomery County Police’s non-emergency line at 301-279-8000, and if downed wires are sparking, they should immediately call 911.