Some schools opening late, closing after snow and ice

WASHINGTON — Side streets are icy and a number of schools have delayed their openings or closed Wednesday.

Federal agencies, however, will be open for business, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

A man shovels a sidewalk on G Street in Northwest D.C. near the White House on March 14, 2017. A late-winter storm dumped snow, sleet and freezing rain over much of the D.C. region. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

FILE -- Interstate 270, slushy and sloppy, is seen on the morning of March 14, 2017. (WTOP/Dave Dildine) — Interstate 270, slushy and sloppy, is seen on the morning of March 14, 2017. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

Dawn on Democracy Boulevard, sleet-covered and slick. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

Plows push snow on Gude Drive in Rockville, Maryland, on March 14, 2017. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

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Metro is running on a normal schedule and is single-tracking on the Blue and Yellow Lines as part of the transit agency’s track work schedule.

Metrobus is operating on regular weekday service.

WTOP Traffic reports that interstates and primary roads are free and clear of ice.

Secondary roads and side streets may be icy in spots.

If you’re walking to Metro or school, watch for slippery conditions.

WEATHER:

The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for D.C. from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Winds of 45 to 55 mph are expected, which can make driving difficult — especially for high-profile vehicles.

The coldest high temperature on record for March 15th is 32 degrees, back in 1932. The D.C. area is forecasting a high of only 30 degrees today, so it could be a record-breaker.

The current cold snap will extend through Friday, which makes it the longest stretch of below average temperatures since last May, according to NBC 4.

Get the full forecast on the WTOP.com weather page.

TRAFFIC

Interstates and major roadways are free of snow and ice, according to WTOP Traffic.

Secondary roads may be icy in spots, so be careful.

And if you’re walking to Metro or school, be wary of potentially slippery conditions.

Tuesday’s combination of snow, sleet and freezing rain caused dangerous road conditions in much of the region.

The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration has had more than 1,600 state and contract trucks treating roads and removing debris from highways.

As always, the WTOP Traffic live blog has the latest on crashes and road conditions.

COMMUTING/TRAVEL ISSUES:

Metrorail: Normal schedule.

Metrobus: Buses are operating on a regular weekday schedule.

MetroAccess: Metro’s paratransit service will resume Wednesday.

ART: Normal service expected.

VRE: Normal service.

Fairfax Connector: Normal service.

MARC: Normal service, but minor delays are possible due to refreezing.

Ride On: Ride On bus service on an “S Service Plan,” operating all its weekday routes, except Route 94, with limited service and delays.

PRTC OmniRide: OmniRide commuter buses operating only to the Franconia-Springfield or Tysons Corner Metrorail stations, with delays. Metro Direct buses run on a weekday schedule with delays.

MTA buses: Normal service.

Amtrak: Amtrak operating a modified schedule. There will be limited Acela Express service between New York City and D.C. The Northeast Regional service running on a modified schedule with some trains canceled. Service between New York and Boston has been suspended due to the storm.

More than 1,000 flights were canceled at the three D.C.-area airports on Tuesday. Airport officials said to expect a ripple effect from the cancellations to last into Wednesday.

CLOSINGS AND DELAYS

School districts closing Wednesday include Loudoun County Public Schools, Manassas City Public Schools, Baltimore County Public Schools and Prince William County Public Schools.

Due to an electrical issue, Fort Smallwood Elementary School in Anne Arundel County will be closed for students and staff Wednesday.

In Maryland, public schools in Montgomery, Charles, Carroll, Anne Arundel, Prince George’s and Howard counties are among those that will open under a two-hour delay on Wednesday.

In Virginia, public schools in Frederick, Arlington, Fairfax and Culpeper counties are among those that will open under a two-hour delay on Wednesday.

Get the full list of closings and delays on WTOP.com.

POWER OUTAGES

The wet, heavy snow and ice brought down trees, causing power outages in the area.

Delmarva Power reports more than 12,000 customers in the dark in New Castle County, Delaware, on Wednesday morning. The utility says it has restored power to 68,000 customers in Maryland and Delaware.

Maryland officials report about 3,500 outages around the state, including about 2,000 Delmarva Power customers in Cecil County. Officials say power has been restored to about 46,500 Maryland customers.

Dominion Power reports about 1,200 customers in the dark in Virginia, mostly in the Middle Peninsula/Northern Neck and Richmond areas. It says it has restored power to more than 90 percent of customers who lost power.

For more information, call:

Pepco 1-877-737-2662
Dominion Power: 1-866-366-4357
BGE: 1-877-778-2222
Potomac Edison: 1-800-255-3443
NOVEC: 1-888-335-0500
SMECO: 1-877-747-6326
Rappahannock: 800-552-3904

LISTEN LIVE:

Listen live on WTOP.com, on the WTOP app or tune in to 103.5 FM.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.