D.C. area DUers: how hard will it be for me to get to Dulles tomorrow?

[Bertha Venation]

I'm picking up Mrs. V. at Dulles; her plane arrives (unless there's a weather delay) at 8:25 PM. I'll be driving from Southern Maryland.

How hard is it going to be?

Should I avoid going through town and stick to the highways?

I was going to leave at 5:30 -- should I leave earlier?

Help!

Thanks.

PS edit: a note for those who don't know: we're supposed to get a "major snowstorm" tomorrow. Could be as much as three-quarters of a foot! *gasp* If it happened during the week, the city would shut down and federal workers (and those of us who follow them) would get a day off.

[Bertha Venation]

1. kick -- I really need some advice

the lounge is moving fast tonight

[OldLeftieLawyer]

4. This is from The Weather Channel weather alert

You might have seen it, but the southern Maryland stuff is significant, I think:

SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE AFTERNOON AND INTO THE EVENING BEFORE ENDING BETWEEN 7 AND 11 PM. THE SNOW WILL BE HEAVY AT TIMES DURING THE MIDDAY AND AFTERNOON HOURS. 4 TO 8 INCHES IS EXPECTED BEFORE ENDING. TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE MIDDLE TO UPPER 20S DURING THE EVENT. WINDS WILL BE LIGHT DURING THE DAY... THEN WILL BECOME NORTH DURING THE EVENING. WINDS WILL INCREASE STEADILY DURING THE NIGHT... AND BY SUNDAY MORNING THEY WILL BE 25 MILES AN HOUR GUSTING TO 40 MPH. STRONG WINDS WILL CONTINUE SUNDAY WITH TEMPERATURES DURING THE DAY IN THE 20S AND WIND CHILLS NEAR ZERO.

THERE ARE TWO OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST. FIRST... FOR CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND LOWER SOUTHERN MARYLAND... BASICALLY FROM STAUNTON THROUGH CHARLOTTESVILLE AND FREDERICKSBURG... TO PRINCE FREDERICK... THE SNOW WILL LIKELY MIX WITH SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN LATE IN THE EVENT. AFTER 3 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW THE PRECIPITATION WILL CHANGE TO MIXED PRECIPITATION DURING THE MID AFTERNOON THROUGH THE EVENING. SIGNIFICANT ICING IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS POINT AND THE MAIN THREAT IN THAT AREA IS THE SNOWFALL.

SECOND... IS A COASTAL STORM THAT WILL FORM OFF THE DELMARVA PENINSULA SATURDAY NIGHT. THAT STORM MAY SPREAD A FEW ADDITIONAL INCHES OF SNOW SATURDAY NIGHT INTO SUNDAY MORNING FOR CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST MARYLAND BEFORE MOVING AWAY. HOWEVER... THIS SECOND PERIOD OF SNOW IS MORE UNCERTAIN AT THIS EARLY STAGE. ACCUMULATIONS MAY BE A FEW INCHES MORE IN THAT AREA IF THIS OCCURS.

[Bertha Venation]

6. yeah, thanks, I appreciate that a lot

I'm not too worried about what'll happen here in So. MD. I think I'll be able to get out okay. I'm just worried about driving through No. VA and about her flight being delayed and landing safely.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

2. Get a room

Seriously - make a reservation at one of the close-by hotels at Dulles - here's a list: http://www.metwashairports.com/Dulles/hotels.htm

My honest guess, though, is that the major highways - 95, 495, 66 - will be all right, but slow. If you're coming from southern MD, though, I'm not sure what route you'd take, but I sure would stick to as major a road as you can get to.

It's supposed to be snowing until midnight, so it's also possible Dulles will be closed.

Just keep monitoring her flight, but, I'm very serious about making a hotel reservation.

Good luck from Alexandria. :toast:

[Midlodemocrat]

3. I think there might be a good chance her flight is delayed

or cancelled. We here in Richmond are waiting to see if we get sleet, freezing rain, (what is the difference anyway) or snow or just rain.

I think this is an unpredicable storm and you might have better luck getting a definitive answer tomorrow.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

5. Is that what they're saying down there?

Up here, all the forecasters are predicting serious snow starting around 7 am and continuing until midnight.

Serious, major storm.

Why didn't this happen yesterday?

[Midlodemocrat]

13. I thought it was supposed to start yesterday as well.

but the weathermen were so caught off guard by the ferocity of Wednesday's storm, I think they are not taking any chances.

We are always on the line as to whether it will be freezing rain/sleet or snow or rain. It drives me nuts. I would just like to know.

[Bertha Venation]

7. well, shit

I was wondering about that, but our funds are stretched so thinly right now that we can't afford even one night. We might be spending the night at Dulles.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

8. But at least you'll be together if that happens

Good luck, and drive safely!

[Bertha Venation]

10. Thanks!

Yes. We will be together. :bounce: GOD, I miss her.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

9. Bring sleeping bags

And sandwiches.

You can have an adventure!

Good luck. Just be careful.

[Bertha Venation]

12. great idea

I'll definitely take food. Planned to put blankets & shovel in the car in case of getting snow bound.

Thanks for your help, Lawyer. :bounce:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

11. Suggestion

My mom often travels out of Dulles, and to avoid freaking out about getting there on time, she often gets a room at the Sheraton (I think it's a Sheraton). It sounds like we're really going to get whapped by this storm. I'd suggest getting a room right at the airport. Then, if her plane's horribly delayed, you can relax in a comfortable room. And when she does arrive, you won't have to worry about driving home.

Be safe, whatever you do! :hi:

[yankeedem]

14. Get a hotel

No matter what it costs- just think you could get caught in the airport all night with freepers who couldn't make it out of town. It's not worth the risk.

[DancingBear]

15. Hi Bertha

It's now 11 a.m. on Saturday, I live 35 miles west of Dulles, we have NO snow, and the skies are clear.

Not that anyone here overreacts to snow or anything... :)

The only problems with Dulles (aside from weather) wil be with the residual idiots leaving the coronation. Yesterday there were substantial ground holds (i.e. delaying letting planes arrive into Dulles due to heavy traffic) all day - don't know if that will still happen today.

Where is Mrs. V arriving from? If it's north - they WILL get snow today.

[OldLeftieLawyer]

16. It's 2 pm, and the snow is falling heavily

here in Alexandria. I suspect it's now snowing out in Chantilly/Dulles, too.

This storm is coming up from the south and west, which makes it doubly bad. There's a thick fog, as well - kind of strange.

We just drove home on I-395, which is our local road, and traffic was doing 15 mph, tops.

I don't think there's any overreacting going on with this storm, Bear. It's a big one, and, if the predictions are right and it keeps snowing until after midnight, it's going to be a real beauty.

I wonder how it is in Richmond. The radar map suggests they're getting snowed on, too.