just moments au pair, calm before a crippling winter storm. >> it has been a long time. >> everybody is stockton now for a long weekend. >> if you plan on hitting the roads, major travel headaches before the first snowflakes evenfall. captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> live and in hd, this is "good morning washington," on your side. good morning, washington. i'm julie parker. >> and i am alison starling. we have a lot of information.

a winter storm warning goes into effect in just a few hours. we have schools calling it a day. things are going to be changing throughout the day.

let's get more on the major snowstorm with brian. it has been awhile since we have had school closings before the snow started. >> this is all coming our way. look at all this moisture. it is coming from alabama and through the carolinas. light snow reported through southwestern virginia. it will start to develop early this morning. it's a start closer to lunchtime. bands continue off and on. this one system will transfer its energy to a system off the coast. as it gets going, it will throw hefty snow on top of oz. it will go into the evening tonight. let's go over to the maps. temperature-wise, we're in the

mid 30's. temperatures will drop as the snow falls. things will start off okay. a winter storm warning for the entire area. it begins at 6:00 a.m. for central virginia. it does not kick off until later in the day for the metro area. we get anywhere from 18 to 24 inches of snow. other areas could see closer to 2 1/2 feet. there is a mixture with sleet that could cut back the amount. at 7:00 a.m. we are cloudy. it starts to begin at the southwest. temperatures will fall overnight tonight. heavy, heavy snow. the heaviest time will be from 7:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m.

tomorrow morning. it will be cold as this system brings excess of snow into tomorrow. we're only 18.7 inches away from being the snowiest winter. it could be some record- breaking storms. we will have numbers coming up for your. we should say good morning to lisa baden. are people going to go in to work? >> i am curious to see what will develop. many of us have to go to work. highway crews started spreading chemicals yesterday afternoon in maryland and virginia in anticipation of the storm. the use the mixture and it stays on the highway and has proven to be pretty effective.

you will say streaking on the highway where they have already done the chemical thing. highway crews have taken advantage of the quiet night but they are clearing out of the roadway. things will be clear and open. we are not concerned about the volume of this time. we're showing you the conditions. things are open. highway crews are on standby. we will go to the news desk. >> thank you. police and other emergency services are preparing for some long chefs. the fire department is calling in an extra 100 people to help man fire engines and ambulances. police will have suv's to help people who get stranded. >> we have been putting out messages to the troops for

people to come prepared. >> we are all about response times. >> hospitals are getting ready for this. mothers expected to give birth at howard university hospital were asked to comment ahead of the storm. the storm is causing trouble headaches. southwest airlines has canceled flights out of three airports. courtney robinson has more. >> hundreds of flights have been canceled. howard asking mothers to common -- asking expectant mothers to, early. people trying to change their flights. some people change from last night to get out of here before the snow starts falling, hoping to do not have tdeal with the canceled flights. >> i have a ticket in the nick of time. >> it is a golden ticket to get

out before the skies open. with more than a foot of snow expected, many airliners and the passengers are changing plans. airlines are putting their snowstorm policy into place. >> no fees. this is too easy. it must be meant to be a. >> airports around the area are on standby. some are canceling flights. crews are ready to take off before the snow starts coming down. >> of our crews are standing by. >> they are standing by and hopefully none of these passengers will have to do that. all flights are on time. things can change very quickly with the amount of snowfall we are expecting. it is advisable you call your airline before your flight. >> thank you.

metro is warning riders to wait for possible service disruptions into sunday. when the snow reaches 8 inches, the aboveground portions will close. metrobus and metro access will operate on a regular schedule. amtrak is canceling most train service heading south because of a storm under eight trains will not be running between virginia and the carolinas. no word yet on northbound service. amtrak asks that you call ahead. 4:38. many are running to get supplies. there was gridlock in grocery store parking lots last night. look at the lines. this is in alexandria.

deejabj's stayed open late. >> it is unbelievable. it is such a long line. " i know i'm not going to be out and about. i will be at home. i figured i better get while the tting is good. >> many rushed to try to get snow supplies in fisher hardware. 400 snow shovels sold out in one hour. an argument broke out over the last shovels in the store. >> we have known for a few days the storm is on the way. some schools are waiting. some are already maxed out on snow days. many districts waited until last night or this morning to decide whether school will be open. >> the most important thing is

the safety of the kids. everyone is looking at the buses on the roads, the kids walking on the sidewks. >> most school districts are hoping to get some class time in. some school districts are opting for early dismissal. for up-to-the-minute forecast, log onto wjla.com. 4:40. >> we have other news to tell you. more troubleor toyota. they are set to around -- set to announce another round of recalls. >> mayor fenty has declared a snow emergency for the district. i will have the latest. >> we have your latest snow timeline and track. we have your school closings and delays.

you're watching "good morning washington."

4:43. it is the calm before the storm. your traffic and weather together every 10 minutes. >> let's begin with adam caskey. he is live in tysons corner this morning. >> i think the snow will start to fall around noon around the metro area. earlier further to the south and west. i will break it down to you in terms of a timeline , surely. the center of the storm is only down in the deep south.

it is centered in parts of mississippi. it is snow and rain spreading towards roanoke at this time and it will continue to move our way. it will track to the east and northeast. late tonight, it will be off cape hatteras and we will see our heaviest snowfall. these storms will likely go down as a top five of all time in washington d.c. i think a pretty good bet is to say around 20 inches. a little bit less at. westward. 20 is a pretty good number give or take a few inches. the chance does exist to see over two feet in some locations. a possibility of 25 to 29 inches in localized areas.

yesterday people were saying lets me up here and there tomorrow afternoon or evening. i want to give you a timeline of how much snow you can expect. this is all we expect by 3:00 p.m., maybe one to 2 inches. the snow will start to ramp up between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. that is when we will see our highest accumulations. if you're planning on going somewhere this afternoon after work and set i will make a home later tonight, you will have more difficult it later tonight after sunset. the storm total likely between 18 and 24 inches locally. right now we're at 34 degrees in tysons corner. not all that cold outside. temperatures will drop once the snow starts. the will drop a few degrees. we're just going to see all snow

throughout this event. let's check on the morning drive. >> we're rolling very nicely. nothing complicated on the highways. highway crews spread plenty of chemicals and they will remain on standby. this is 202, plenty of chemical here at 50 and at the american legion bridge. light in volume at 270 leaving frederick to get into rockville. no problems to report throughout montgomery county. good in virginia. 66, 95, 395 and even 81 and route 11. no problems through hamilton and 15 and 50. we will keep an eye on all of it for you. >> thank you. 4:46, 35 degrees.

>> our storm watch coverage continues with what will be a messy day at the airports. >> family and friends say goodbye to it virginia tech student found dead. goodbye to it virginia tech student found dead.

>> you are watching abc 7's "good morning washington," with doug mckelway, alison starling, teorologist brian van de graaff, weather, and lisa baden, traffic. this is "good morning washington," on your side. and welcome back. is 4:49. we want to run down the latest school delay is and closings.

the full list is scrolling on the top and bottom of your screen. you can also sue wjla.com. toyota will reportedly had the prius hybrid to the recall because of brake problems. it affects to wonder 70,000 vehicles. toyota plans to investigate breaks. -- it affects 270,000 vehicles.

a woman faces a court hearing. she has been indicted on six charges including attempted murder. she tried to steal an unborn baby. a funeral will be held in roanoke for morgan harrington. she disappeared in october after attending a concert in charles cole. her remains were found in a field abo 10 miles away. -- she attended a concert in charlottesville. the national transportation safety board will hold a public hearing on last june's metro crash that killed nine people. it will begin february 23. witnesses will be questions. the hearing will be webcast. we turn back towards storm watch the coverage. a snow emergency goes into

effect in the district at 9:30 this morning. they already got a head start on clearing the roads. mike conneen will tell us about the situation there. good morning. >> the snow emergency means if you're parked along a snow emergency routes, you want to move your vehicle so plows can get in and out of the city. we're joined now by a spokesperson from ddot. >> right now we're getting ready. our crews will come in at about 8:00 this morning and they will hit the streets. it is not supposed to snow before 10:00. there will be ready. >> businesses, schools, people seeing this morning, what advice would you say to thtem?

>> these schools are going to let out early at noon today. if people can get home before the heavy snow starts falling and before the roads are in bad shape, that would be good. that is good advice for everyone. in the afternoon, but things will get tricky. if people can get home earlier than ual, i think everyone will be fine. >> will the roads be open on monday? but it will be a challenge. our crew is doing a good job. this storm will be a lot like the one we had in december. >> we appreciate you coming in early to talk with us. crews will have 270 vehicles working 12-hour shifts throw off the weekend. it is a big event. back to you. >> thank you. we are ready. we will be here until 7:00 a.m.

make sure you join us with the entire abc 7 team of reporters. we will have extended coverage beginning at noon and will stay on the air until 6:30 p.m. your traffic and weather together every 10 minutes. t's check in with lisa baden. the afternoon rush is when we will have some problems. >> i thought that was good advice to get off the highways to lift them do their job. they started yesterday to spread the chemicals. they will continue to do so. we will take you to a couple of pictures. notice the light volume of traffic. we're interested to see what develops in terms of rush hour. we look great on 66. this is near glebe road.

we will take you near the pentagon. you want to pay attention to the top and bottom of your screen. see if your business has any delays or late openings or if they're on liberal leave. we will continue to scroll of that information for you. traffic is in your favor in maryland and virginia. back to the news desk. >> i want to show you the storm scan. we have clouds starting to stream in. precipitation is down to our south and west. we will see it develop through central virginia through the morning hours and start to push into the metro area. you can see how much moisture, there is with this system. there is quite a bit. it is down in the south and

transferring its energy to the coast. we will tap into the moisture and pull in that cold air. i think tonight from 7:00 p.m. the heaviest bands of snow will fall. it will come down with some gusty winds. travel will be impacted. let's go to the maps to ensure the winter storm warning. it starts this morning down to the south through central virginia around 10:00. it affects all of laws. temperatures in some places above freezing. -- it affects all of us. temperatures will drop back. it will push into the metro around lunchtime and become heavier through the evening and drive time. temperatures dropping into the 20's. we're thinking about 18 to 24

inches. there could be some obsolesleetd in. it is kind of where we line up. this is a big storm. it will be like a long duration storm, 36 hours. it will movement through tonight and tomorrow morning and tomorrow afternoon. it will move out by tomorrow night. we will get more sunshine by sunday. hopefully you'll finish up your snow preparation plans to be prepared as we head towards the afternoon. sunday and monday, maybe a system next tuesday. it is not looking to that strong. hopefully you'll be prepared. >> thank you. montgomery county schools will be closing to end a half hours early today. the news continues at 5:00

a.m. we will talk about going behind the scenes with a 0 per contest winners. -- with the oprah contest winners. we will be right back.

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