Afternoon Drivers Face Backups on Slick Roads

By Ashley Halsey III

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Loudouners should expect a slow drive home on this dreary evening, as freezing rain may turn some roadways into slippery business, and caution taken by fearful drivers will slow traffic even if there are no accidents blocking the way.

"Plan for a long commute home," said Kraig Troxell, spokesman for the Loudoun County sheriff's office. "We haven't seen the ice and freezing rain that were predicted yet, but the roads are wet and slick."

The rush hour forecast for Loudoun suggested something more slippery than rain would begin falling and continue until 9 p.m.

Overall, the region appears to have "dodged a small bullet" so far today, according to National Weather Service spokeswoman Jackie Hale.

"It's looking not so bad" [for rush hour], Hale said. "It probably will remain above freezing -- pretty steady in the mid-30s."

Hale said at the very least commuters will face rain, and "probably lots of it." It's going to continue through Wednesday, when the temperature eventually will climb, but the morning commute "looks iffy."

A winter weather advisory is currently in effect for Loudoun until 7 p.m. this evening.

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