During Snowfall
- Snow crews focus on keeping main arteries passable for emergency vehicles and public transportation (red primary routes). This includes snow emergency routes; arterial streets; high-volume, multi-use County trails; main bus routes; and roads to hospitals, fire stations, Metro stations, and the police station.
- Plowing generally begins when snow becomes 2-4 inches deep.
- When accumulation is less than 2 inches, roadways and trails are only treated.
After Snowfall
- Snow crews concentrate on clearing snow from all streets and County trails as soon as possible.
- Neighborhood streets are cleared last.
- After a severe snowstorm (greater than 10 inches), it may take 36-48 hours after the snow stops falling before County plows can start clearing residential streets or trails.
Snow Removal Status — Four Key Phases
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Phase 1: Alert
What the County Does
- A winter weather storm has been forecast for the region.
- Snow crews are on alert and treating roads and designated trails where necessary.
What You Do
- Move parked cars off of streets, or coordinate with neighbors and/or civic association to move cars to one side of the street only. Snow removal vehicles need at least 15-feet to pass down a street.
- Be prepared. Have at least a three-day supply of food and water.
- Plan to stay informed.
- Your neighbors may need your help. Register through Volunteer Arlington or contact your civic association.
Phase 2: Primary Routes
What the County Does
- A winter weather storm is in effect. Snow crews are treating and plowing primary (red) and secondary (blue) arterials only while snow continues to fall.
- VDOT is treating and plowing VDOT roads.
- Roads may only be passable with one lane in each direction. Roads may be icy and have accumulations of 2-4 inches or greater.
- Residential streets are snow covered.
- Designated high-volume, multi-use County trails are treated and plowed.
What You Do
- Do not drive unless necessary so roads will be open for emergency and snow removal vehicles.
- Help your neighbors clean the sidewalk on the same side of the street as parked cars to increase pedestrian safety.
- Keep snow cleared from fire hydrants, storm drains and downspouts on your home.
Phase 3: Residential Streets
What the County Does
- Snow crews are treating and plowing residential streets.
- Residential streets may only be passable with one lane. Primary (red) and secondary (blue) arterial roads are being widened to the shoulder.
- As possible, additional County trails are cleared.
What You Do
- Use our snow issue form to report any snow removal problems 24 hours after snow has fallen.
- Help neighbors clean the sidewalks. Snow Removal Ordinance enforcement begins 24 hours after the snow stops falling.
- Clear driveways and entrances.
- Shovel snow into the yard instead of the street to keep snow removal vehicles from recovering the driveway entrance.
- Commercial parking lots and sidewalks are the owner’s responsibility.
Phase 4: Clean Up
What the County Does
- Snow crews are working on clean-up operations. After treatment and the sun has done its work, crews are removing ice and slush off roads and designated County trails.
- Staff are removing snow from schools and County property.
What You Can Do
- Use the snow issue form to report any snow removal problems.