(Washington, DC) The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory and is forecasting 1 to 1.5 inches of accumulating snow with additional freezing rain possible beginning between 2 pm and 4 pm, Sunday, January 21, 2007. Immediate reports indicate snow will slowly change into light freezing rain/rain throughout the evening with the storm scheduled to be out of the area by 8 am on Monday.  

The District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Department of Public Works (DPW) are closely monitoring the storm track and will begin treating roadways early Sunday morning. Initial crews will pre-treat with de-icer and salt —initially focusing on bridges, overpasses and main roadways, then moving to secondary and residential streets.  

Full deployment of trucks and crews is scheduled to begin at 2 pm. Crews will salt and plow when necessary throughout the storm. All of the District’s five salt domes will be in full operation.  

“The warm weather so far this season has given us a chance to redouble our readiness efforts,” said Emeka Moneme, acting director of DDOT. “In recent months we have been training, exercising dry runs, shoring up equipment and staff and preparing for winter weather. Today we stand ready for the season’s first storm and for storms that loom throughout the remainder of the winter.”  

Residents and commuters are encouraged to monitor media announcements throughout the storm paying particular attention to Monday morning rush hour conditions and to use Metro or telecommute when possible.  

Temperatures throughout the storm are predicted to be near freezing and motorists are advised to remain cautious and maintain awareness of possible icy conditions.  

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