December turned out to be pretty mild, but Montgomery County notes that many forecasts for our region point to above-average snowfall this winter. As County Executive Elrich recently said: “We don’t know exactly what the winter months will bring us, but it is important for everyone to be prepared and understand when you need to take action.”

Even one day of wild-and-wooly weather can cause havoc. Here are tips to help you stay safe and snug in the coming weeks:

Be Proactive

Make a plan now to keep yourself and your loved ones safe, whether at home or out and about. Does everyone in your family know who to call for help? Review Montgomery County’s advice on winter preparedness.

Be Alert

Sign up for Alert Montgomery. You’ll get free County notifications about weather, traffic tie-ups, school status and infrastructure issues via texts, emails, and/or voice messages to your cell, work, or home phones.

Be Bright

Dress for conditions — not only for weather protection but also to make yourself easy to see. Wear bright colors or reflective garments, and carry a flashlight. The New York Times ran an excellent (and alarming) article last month revealing evening as pedestrians’ highest-risk period — but snow and rain reduce visibility, too.

Be Courteous

When storms hit, please clear your sidewalk (with special attention to fire hydrants and to curb cuts used by wheelchairs), give transportation crews plenty of room to operate as they clear roads of snow and ice, and give Ride On and Metro buses extra maneuvering space.

Be Informed

Check the County’s Winter Storm Information Portal for information on snow plowing schedules, where to park your car safely, and how to identify County-maintained versus State-maintained roadways. Do not park on snow emergency routes.

Be Kind

Be Ready

Focus on the Flash (Ends Friday)

If you happen to be over in the Colesville Road/US 29 corridor this week and spot a Flash bus with decorative lights — quick, snap a picture! The Montgomery County Department of Transportation invites you to post the photo on your Twitter/X, Facebook, Threads or Instagram account and tag @MCDOTNow for a chance to win a $25 gift card. But hurry: The contest ends this Friday, January 5. Learn more here.

Cool Commute Contest Continues

With winter in full swing for the new year, you have a chance to win one of five e-gift cards by entering the BTS Cool Commute Contest. Our photo contest closes February 29, but why wait? Keep your eyes peeled and camera close while you’re on the move around downtown Bethesda. Five lucky winners will each receive a $100 Bethesda Bucks e-gift card!

Need inspiration?

Check out the article featuring past contest winner Carla Young of the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce in our December newsletter. Like Carla said: “Think of walking — and snapping a photo here and there — as taking care of yourself while also cutting down your commute time. And just have fun with it!”

Participating is as easy as 1-2-3:

Do you offer commuter benefits, amenities, and tools to facilitate the use of alternative commuting modes (such as teleworking, ridesharing, transit, bicycling and walking) for your employees? Then you’re invited to nominate your company/organization for the 2024 Commuter Connections Employer Recognition Awards. The application deadline is January 31.

Commuter Connections, a program of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, holds the awards ceremony each June. The prestigious event is attended by elected officials, business executives and transportation professionals.

Your company, agency or commute program could be added to the distinguished list of 130 others that have been recognized by Commuter Connections since the awards were started 27 years ago to spotlight employers setting examples of excellence for the entire region. Check out the 2023 winners for some inspiration.

Commuter Connections recognizes employer programs in three categories:

Incentives: Employers offering a host of commuter benefits and incentives to encourage and reward employees for using alternative means of transportation to and from work.

Marketing: Employers educating employees about, and championing the use of, alternative transportation options by frequently promoting available commuter programs to employees in creative ways.

Teleworking: Employers providing a policy framework and technology to allow employees to seamlessly work from home, or at a local telework or co-working center, one or more days per week.

2024 Awards Deadline: January 31

Visit this page for links to the nomination form and further details: https://www.commuterconnections.org/employer-recognition-awards/

You can make a difference for people experiencing hunger and food insecurity by donating healthy, unopened, non-perishable food items in person outside the following Metrorail stations this Friday, January 5th:

“Fill-A-Bus” is a partnership between Metro and the Capital Area Food Bank to give enough food and raise enough money to create 35,000 meals for those in need.

Metro employees and volunteers will help unload, sort and pack the collected food as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on January 15. Learn more here.