Photo by Eric Purcell

Didn’t you get the memo? Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. Six more weeks of this miserable, cold weather. And to celebrate, how about an ice storm?

According to the National Weather Service, there will be some freezing rain tonight that will continue through tomorrow afternoon, bringing the possibility of some bad ice, especially in areas north and west of D.C. But fear not, because the D.C. Snow Team is ON IT!

In a release, the District Snow Team, which is part of the Department of Public Works and Department of Transportation, say it’s planning to deploy more than 175 trucks to spread salt on D.C. streets tonight. Crews will be deployed beginning at 9 p.m. Additionally, DPW recommends that D.C. residents treat their sidewalks with salt to help keep pedestrians safe from slipping on ice. Yes, just when some of the salt washed away, here comes more.

“Freezing rain is the most dangerous type of winter weather. We can push snow out of the roadway, but ice, coupled with freezing temperatures, requires constant treatment with salt,” DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr. said in a release. “Fortunately, Wednesday’s high temperature will be well above freezing, but until that happens, we urge everyone to travel cautiously whether on foot, bicycle or by car.”

But, be careful with what kind of — and how much — salt you use at specific locations. Salt that uses sodium chloride can have a damaging effects to stones including sandstone, limestone, and brownstone, which are found on historic buildings. When salt gets into these stones, it can “foster spalling, pitting, and other forms of deterioration,” according to the Urban Places and Spaces blog. The New York Landmarks Conservancy has some other helpful tips about using salt that won’t damage historic buildings.

To stay up to date on all of the District’s snow preparedness and announcements, be sure to keep tabs on snow.dc.gov.