Monday, March 17, 2014

March sadness: Snow, cold weather refuse to go away quietly

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 17: Snow falls in front of the Lincoln Memorial, on March 17, 2014 in Washington, DC. The Washington area was hit with a over night snow storm leaving 5 to 7 inches of snow in some areas. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Mark Wilson/Getty Images



Snow falls in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Monday morning.




CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Winter-weary motorists faced another treacherous commute Monday in parts of the Mid-Atlantic as snow and frigid weather blew in just days before the start of spring.


At least a few inches of snow were reported in the Washington area and parts of West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey by early Monday.


In Washington, crews worked overnight to clear snow, but transportation officials warned that roads were still dangerous. Heavy snow closed Reagan National Airport’s runways. Dulles International Airport and BWI were seeing many cancelations, but were open.


Forecasters urged drivers not to let their guards down and federal offices in the Washington area were closed for the day Monday.


A machine removes snow in front of the Department of Agriculture in Washington on Monday.


Mark Wilson/Getty Images


A machine removes snow in front of the Department of Agriculture in Washington on Monday.


PHOTOS: POLAR VORTEX GRIPS NORTH AMERICA


In New Jersey, the heaviest snow was reported in the southern part of the state, where many schools were closed or delayed opening.


Patience was wearing thin for many.


RELATED: ST. PATRICK’S DAY WEATHER COULD BRING COLD, SNOW


“Never thought of March as being Spring. But snow, yeah, I’m over snow,” said Jackie Denham, who was at a grocery store in Alexandria, Va., on Sunday.


A NASA satellite image shows winter storm Wiley forming over the U.S. on Sunday.


HANDOUT/AFP/Getty Images


A NASA satellite image shows winter storm Wiley forming over the U.S. on Sunday.


Rain and thunderstorms were expected in the Southeast, some of which could be strong.


RELATED: WINTER HAS BEEN TOUGH ON SOME WILDLIFE


Winter’s return follows several days of spring-like temperatures. With spring officially starting Thursday, people weary of shoveling snow are hoping that the latest storm will be winter’s final encore.


Ricardo Contreras, an upholsterer from Harrisburg, Pa., said he was tired of the winter and had no plans to shovel whatever might fall overnight.


RELATED: KIDS RECALL BEING TRAPPED IN SNOW AFTER MONT. AVALANCHE


Crews worked overnight to clear snow in Washington, but transportation officials warned that roads were still dangerous on Monday.


Mark Wilson/Getty Images


Crews worked overnight to clear snow in Washington, but transportation officials warned that roads were still dangerous on Monday.


“I’ll just let it melt by itself,” Contreras said.


Engineer Bill Bingham, heading into the West Shore Plaza in Lemoyne, Pa., for Sunday breakfast, said he was most looking forward to playing some golf for the first time in many months.


RELATED: SNOWPLOW SENDS WAVE OF WHITE STUFF THAT WALLOPS FOX PHILLY TV REPORTER


“I really like the winter, but I’m done with the snow now,” Bingham said. “I’m ready for spring.”


Richard Windsor of Jackson, N.J., said he was not that impressed by the new storm system. Several previous storms this season dropped 10 or more inches of snow in the state.


RELATED: MONTANA WOMAN DIES DAYS AFTER MISSOULA AVALANCHE LEVELS HER HOME


“With the winter we’ve had, I’m not worried about an inch or two of snow,” Windsor said as he gassed up his sport utility vehicle Sunday morning. “I figure if I made it through the stronger storms, I can handle this.”


Temperatures in many areas are expected to be in tune with spring by Thursday. But forecasters cannot say whether winter weather will finally end. Forecasters said snowstorms are typical through March.





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