Cold weather closes schools, hinders driving

Low temperatures forced the closure of three D.C. public schools several hours early yesterday, as most area residents headed back to work for the first time since a weekend storm blanketed the region with snow.

D.C. school officials shut downHoward D. Woodson Senior High School and Luke C. Moore Academy Senior High School in Northeast and J.F. Oyster Bilingual Elementary School in Northwest after the schools had problems with their heating.

“We realize that it’s important for all students to be in facilities where they’re comfortable and able to perform to their maximum,” said Roxanne Evans, a spokeswoman for the D.C. public schools. “Health and safety are always concerns and factors in the decision to close a school.”

Temperatures reached 32 degrees by yesterday afternoon.

D.C. schools were among several local school systems that opened two hours late yesterday. Schools in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore city and those in southern parts of Virginia were closed yesterday, as state and local officials continued to battle the lingering effects of the weekend winter storm that left up to 8 inches of snow in some parts of the area.

The storm, which originated in northernCanada and is off the coast of New England, left behind nearly 3.5 inches of snow in the District and between 5 inches and 8 inches in parts of Maryland and Virginia. Light snow fell for a short period yesterday afternoon, but stopped in most areas by evening rush hour.

So far, temperatures this winter have been slightly higher than normal, said David Manning, warning coordinator and meteorologist for the National Weather Service.

“Overall, it’s been a slightly milder winter so far,” he said.

The weather service said temperatures are expected to rise into the mid-30s today and into the mid-40s tomorrow. There’s a slight chance of snow flurries tonight.

Local residents said yesterday that they had mixed emotions about the snow and low temperatures.

Tawana Lewis, a lifelong D.C. resident, said she enjoys the snow as long as she doesn’t drive in it.

“I just love the snow; it’s pretty,” Miss Lewis, 37, said. “But if I had to drive in it, I’d probably have some problems.”

Area transportation officials urged drivers to use caution during their daily commutes, as higher temperatures begin to melt the snow left on some secondary streets.

“We are asking motorists that since we still have a lot of snow to melt later this week, they still need be careful as they drive,” said Kellie Boulware, a spokeswoman for the Maryland State Highway Administration.

Miss Boulware said about 250 crews were on the streets in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties yesterday, concentrating on clearing secondary roads and looking for icy spots on bridges and ramps that tend to freeze before the roads.

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