WASHINGTON — After heavy snow and then a blast of record-cold air, staying at home has been a popular strategy.

But as drivers look to venture out again, hundreds will find their cars aren’t where they left them.

The District’s Department of Public Works says it issued more than 2,700 tickets for violating the snow emergency.

That kept the tow trucks busy.[related_gallery align=”right”]

A total of 335 vehicles were towed, with the majority impounded by private tow companies. One hundred vehicles were moved to legal parking spaces. Another 27 went to DPW’s Blue Plains impound lot.

The cost of ignoring or forgetting about the snow emergency is steep.

The ticket alone is $250. Vehicles that had to be towed got another $100 fee on top of that. Storage at the impound lots runs $20 per day.

The DPW Impound Lot is only open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Towed vehicles can be located online or by calling 202-541-6083.