snowpocalypse 2016

betao wrote:
I've had plans to be in DC this weekend, and damnit I'm still determined to do so.

I'm looking to come up by either train or by driving on Saturday. Question for you DC folk: for a storm like this, how well are they about paving the interstates/major roads/inner city DC streets? Maybe a dumb question, but I've never been to DC during a time like this.

Also, my understanding is that the metro runs till 3AM on weekends - if that's the case (and please correct me if its not), does the weather have an effect on when the metro operates?

IF.. and a big IF we get a shit load of snow, I'd highly advise against driving up here. Last night the entire city was gridlocked because of a half inch of snow. This place can't handle snow, there will be no where to park, you'll probably get ticketed or towed, etc…

betao wrote:
I've had plans to be in DC this weekend, and damnit I'm still determined to do so.

I'm looking to come up by either train or by driving on Saturday. Question for you DC folk: for a storm like this, how well are they about paving the interstates/major roads/inner city DC streets? Maybe a dumb question, but I've never been to DC during a time like this.

Also, my understanding is that the metro runs till 3AM on weekends - if that's the case (and please correct me if its not), does the weather have an effect on when the metro operates?

Do yourself a favor and stay home. Here's what the 2010 storm was like:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2015/02/04/snowmageddon-five-years-later-the-first-mid-atlantic-blizzard-of-february-2010/


In regard to Metro:

The D.C. Metro system was hit hard. Above-ground train service was suspended at 11 p.m. Friday. Bus service was stopped at 9 p.m. the same evening, and remained closed through the day Saturday and in ?snow emergency? mode with limited operations through Monday. Some above-ground stations returned to service by Tuesday morning, while other lines (including many Blue Line stations) closed into and past Tuesday with the next storm bearing down.

Is Sidehatch accounted for???

I took this screenshot last night when there was a whopping half inch of snow on the ground. We all fucked this weekend!

was it something about the type of snow??? why did everything fall apart with so little snow?

there have been many times in previous years where it snowed a little and there were no issues…

I think I see Sidehatch's car there..

Last night was an anomaly though. No one expected it to snow the way it did. Personally, I find that DC isn't terrible when it's got the plows and salt trucks prepped and ready to go. It's certainly not perfect, but I'm almost always able to bike into work, and I couldn't do that if the streets are clogged. All that said, this probably isn't a great weekend to come to DC unless it's for a specific event.

This morning's ride to work was challenging because the roads were so icy and they hadn't been paved.  And the car people were even bigger dicks than usual.  >:(

Relaxer wrote:
Last night was an anomaly though. No one expected it to snow the way it did. Personally, I find that DC isn't terrible when it's got the plows and salt trucks prepped and ready to go. It's certainly not perfect, but I'm almost always able to bike into work, and I couldn't do that if the streets are clogged. All that said, this probably isn't a great weekend to come to DC unless it's for a specific event.

This morning's ride to work was challenging because the roads were so icy and they hadn't been paved.  And the car people were even bigger dicks than usual.  >:(

Unpaved roads? Do you live and work in West Virginia?

Oh wait, sorry, I meant unplowed. Like your wife hopefully is not, this morning.

there was a WWA up hours before the snow, it was expected.  For some unknown reason, they did not treat the roads.  Untreated VERY COLD roads made very slippery conditions.

Relaxer wrote:
Last night was an anomaly though. No one expected it to snow the way it did. Personally, I find that DC isn't terrible when it's got the plows and salt trucks prepped and ready to go. It's certainly not perfect, but I'm almost always able to bike into work, and I couldn't do that if the streets are clogged. All that said, this probably isn't a great weekend to come to DC unless it's for a specific event.

This morning's ride to work was challenging because the roads were so icy and they hadn't been paved.  And the car people were even bigger dicks than usual.  >:(

I don't know what planet you live on but Mayor Bow Wow and DC didn't do a god damn thing to prepare for the snow. Didn't see any streets paved in my 'hood, which includes the 3600-3900 blocks of 14 and 13 NW. Complete ice.

Relaxer wrote:
No one expected it to snow the way it did.

Again, what planet do you live on? Everyone knew it was going to snow last night.

hutch wrote:
Is Sidehatch accounted for???

snowpocalypse -1.sidehatch -0.

got in a fender bender (wasn't too bad, but my insurance rates will surely go up to pay for his bumper)

I saw at least 25 accidents last night in N. Arlington, maybe more
almost 10 car pile up at Lee and G. Mason
they cleared it and then there were at least 8 more

was pure pandemonium on the roads
ambulances were in ditchs, four wheel vehicles sliding all over the place

I eventually parked at Cowboy Café and started drinking and slept at a friends house as by 10PM nothing was any better

this morning there were cars on the side of the road every where too

walk,on,by wrote:
is she, even real? she, looks video game digital.

she is fake and only the top half :(

I am debating if it is worth it to drive from my house (near Annapolis/Bowie) to my office (near the mall) to pick up a piece of equipment to use for some testing tomorrow while working from home…

The road map looks mostly okay on my route right now.

Got wrote:
there was a WWA up hours before the snow, it was expected.  For some unknown reason, they did not treat the roads.  Untreated VERY COLD roads made very slippery conditions.

that was it…it was below freezing for a week…so the ground was really cold
they thought it was going to just dust and got about 1 inch, which quickly turned to ice as the cars drove over it

What annoyed me is by 10pm they still weren't treating the roads (at least not in Arlington)
that would have made a BIG difference

Thousand wrote:

Relaxer wrote:
No one expected it to snow the way it did.

Again, what planet do you live on? Everyone knew it was going to snow last night.

yes, but they really were only predicting a dusting, not 1 inch

killsaly wrote:
I am debating if it is worth it to drive from my house (near Annapolis/Bowie) to my office (near the mall) to pick up a piece of equipment to use for some testing tomorrow while working from home…

The road map looks mostly okay on my route right now.

roads are 100% fine now and until tomorrow afternoon
only places it might be bad is where there is a lot of tree cover so the sun isn't warming the roads up

hyperbole going into hyperdrive

Washington, D.C., hasn't seen a blizzard like this in nearly 100 years

I think last night's jam was because of a Zamboni-like effect of traffic on lightly falling snow on frozen pavement. The weight of cars and the friction of tires crushed and slightly melted the snow, which then froze into a light glaze of ice. Heavier snow would have overcome the effect and allowed for some traction, or warmer pavement would have left the snow melted.

Saw a van spin out right at the intersection of 9th and U. Thought he was going to plow right into the Warby Parker or whatever. He spun onto U as safely as he could though. Then I almost fell crossing the street. Can't believe I didn't come across a single treated street. Let alone any of the sidewalks. Almost completely iced over.