Snowfall estimates from yesterday’s storm are in, suggesting experiences varied drastically across Fairfax County.
On the low end, residents in the northwestern area of the county, including Herndon, saw approximately 5.9 to 6.1 inches of snow, based on unofficial observations reported at 4:39 a.m. by the National Weather Service.
The central part of the county appears to have seen the most snow, ranging from 7.5 inches around the I-495 and I-395 interchange in Springfield to 8 inches near Fairfax City and a whopping 10 inches in Newington, as of 11 p.m. yesterday (Monday).
Even the lowest amounts surpassed last winter’s most significant snow events, which occurred on Jan. 15 and Jan. 19, topping out in both cases at under 5 inches, per NWS estimates. The 5.1 inches recorded at Dulles International Aiport yesterday were a record for Jan. 6, according to the Capital Weather Gang.
The storm lasted more than 12 hours, arriving in the Fairfax County area — or at least in the Town of Herndon — before 1 a.m. and leaving the D.C. region around 10 p.m. Here are the observed snowfall totals for various parts of the county from the NWS:
- Newington: 10 inches
- Burke: 9.6 inches
- Lorton and Hybla Valley: 9.5 inches
- West Springfield: 9.3 inches
- Fairfax Station: 9.2 inches
- Rose Hill: 9 inches
- Fairfax: 8.1 inches
- Wolf Trap: 8 inches
- Chantilly: ranges from 6.5 to 7.8 inches
- I-395 and I-495: 7.5 inches
- Centreville: ranges from 6.3 to 9 inches
- Herndon: 5.9 to 6.1 inches
Libraries closed, bus service remains limited
While no more snow is in the forecast until Friday night (Jan. 10), Fairfax County is still recovering from the impact of yesterday’s storm.
Fairfax County Public Schools canceled classes for a second day, and the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services once again isn’t collecting trash and recycling.
While the county government opened its offices at 10 a.m., later than usual, several services remain unavailable, including all Fairfax County Public Library branches and most Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) community, teen and senior centers. Circuit, general district and juvenile courts are closed.
Exceptions to the NCS facility closures include the Jim Scott (formerly Providence) Community Center, Lewinsville senior and adult day health care centers, and the Reston Community Center. The Fairfax County Park Authority has opened its rec centers and other facilities, but some programming may be affected.
“We appreciate your understanding as we work to clear parking lots and walkways to ensure the safety of staff and visitors,” the county said in an update around 11 a.m.
After initially expecting to resume regular service today, Fairfax Connector announced this morning that it will instead follow a Sunday schedule with some detours based on road conditions.
“Passengers are encouraged to allow extra travel time and monitor updates on service conditions,” the Connector said, noting that the bus stop 6253 in Chantilly won’t be served since the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Museum is closed for the day.
Metro is also operating under a severe snow plan, serving just 42 of its 193 routes with more getting added throughout the day as roads are cleared. Metrorail service is operating as normal.
