Snow KO has Washington region reeling

Washington-area residents cautiously tried to return to life as usual, some venturing out on icy sidewalks and slow-running subway trains while others continued to regroup from the record weekend snowfall before Tuesday afternoon, when another storm is expected.

Streets and sidewalks were empty, largely because federal agencies closed, as have most school districts. Thousands of service-industry workers and other employees, however, crowded subway stations after they opened at 7 a.m. — two hours later than usual.

The National Weather Service called the storm “historic” and reported a foot of snow in parts of Ohio and two feet or more in the District, Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Parts of Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia got closer to three feet.

The agency issued a storm warning for the Washington area for Tuesday and into Wednesday, saying there was potential for another foot of snow. D.C. schools already cancelled classes for Tuesday.

Forecasters expect highs in the low- to mid-30s for the next few days, though Monday’s sunshine was expected to melt some of the snow, weather service meteorologist Bryan Jackson said.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority — the region’s transportation agency — had yet to get the trains to above-ground stations by the afternoon rush hour, following the roughly two feet of snow that fell from Friday morning through late Saturday afternoon.

The agency continued to report into the evening delays on all subway lines and limited bus service. Many main roads remain covered in snow.

The region’s three major airports — Ronald Reagan Washington National, Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall and Washington Dulles International — opened by midmorning Monday. However, officials advised passengers to expect delays and cancellations.

Mark Burroughs and his wife, Annie, were on standby at Reagan Airport, trying to return home to Texas. They made it to a weekend snowball fight in Dupont Circle that they called “great fun,” but by Monday, they were ready to go home.

“I saw on the news Thursday night that the snow was coming, so like masochists, we got on an airplane and came here,” Mrs. Burroughs said jokingly.

Just getting to the airport was a challenge for others.

D.C. resident Chris Vaughn managed to rebook a flight to Park City, Utah, that had been canceled Friday, but his shuttle driver called Monday to say the company was canceling all pickups.

One cab company wanted $100 to take him to the airport, and another was charging $50 for a cab ride that would usually cost less than $20.

“I’m done with city, urban snow life,” said Mr. Vaughan, walking through the airport with his ski boots over his shoulder. “I don’t want to be part of any more of that.”

Amtrak’s speedy Acela Express service between Washington and Boston on the Northeast Corridor was fully operational, but its Northeast Regional service still had cancellations.

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