Winter Storm Watch from National Weather Service (NWS)

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
                           NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC

902 AM EST TUE FEB 9 2010
                           ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM
                           EST WEDNESDAY...
                           
                           A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM
                           EST WEDNESDAY.
                           
                           * PRECIPITATION TYPE...SNOW. SNOW WILL MIX WITH SLEET AND RAIN
                           THIS AFTERNOON INTO TONIGHT ACROSS LOWER SOUTHERN MARYLAND.
                           
                           * ACCUMULATIONS...7 TO 14 INCHES.
                           
                           * TIMING...SNOW WILL BEGIN LATE THIS MORNING INTO EARLY THIS
                           AFTERNOON AND IT WILL LAST THROUGH WEDNESDAY. MODERATE SNOW
                           RATES WILL OCCUR TONIGHT...AND HEAVY SNOW IS EXPECTED WEDNESDAY
                           MORNING.
                           
                           * TEMPERATURES...TEMPERATURES WILL RISE INTO THE UPPER 20S AND
                           LOWER 30S THIS AFTERNOON. TEMPERATURES WILL DROP INTO THE MID
                           AND UPPER 20S TONIGHT. TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER 20S AND LOWER
                           30S WEDNESDAY.
                           
                           * WINDS...LIGHT SOUTHEASTERLY WINDS TODAY BECOMING NORTH-
                           NORTHWESTERLY 15 TO 25 MPH WEDNESDAY.
                           
                           PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
                           
                           A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
                           EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND STRONG WINDS
                           WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS.
                           
                           Some excellent advice from our DDOT friends:

· PLEASE do not put snow in the street.  Put all cleared snow, from parked cars and sidewalks, in the "tree box," front yard, or between the curb and sidewalk.

· Do Not drive unless it is absolutely necessary.

· If people must be in their vehicles remember that driving on ice is significantly different than driving on snow.

· Use extreme caution and maintain safe speeds and distances from other vehicles.

· Remember even a 4-wheel drive SUV does not perform well in ice and additional safety measure should be followed.

· Be aware of road conditions, particularly black ice which can be deceptive in its appearance giving the driver a false sense of security on the road.

· Watch for slippery bridge decks, even when the rest of the pavement is in good condition. Bridge decks will ice up sooner than the adjacent pavement.

· Remember to keep a safe distance from emergency and snow vehicles and please use caution when attempting to pass a snowplow.  Give the drivers plenty of room to safely do their jobs.

· Clear all the snow and ice from your vehicle's windows and lights - even the hood and roof - before driving.

· Help your elderly or disabled neighbors remove snow from steps and sidewalks.

· Clear catch basins/storm drains and fire hydrants.

· Remember to clear vehicles of all snow and ice including the tops before traveling on roadways.

As your TOTA Board, we will do our best to ensure that the road conditions are acceptable.  Please note that we cannot afford to have a plow working 24-7.  Removal and Treatment may possibly take days.  Do NOT contact our snow removal company.  They need to concentrate on their job.  If you have any concerns, e-mail us at totaboard@totanews.net.  Only the Officers may contact them directly.  Please be patient during this time with the snow removal company and follow the advice above to ensure everyone's safety.