Countywide

JUST IN: Fairfax Connector will suspend service during Winter Storm Fern

By Angela Woolsey
A passenger boards a Fairfax Connector bus at a stop on Sunset Hills Road in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax Connector will not provide any bus service during the upcoming Winter Storm Fern.

With heavy precipitation and ice accumulation expected, the county bus system announced this afternoon (Saturday) that it will suspend service starting at 9 p.m., continuing through Sunday (Jan. 25).

“Please plan accordingly and stay safe,” Fairfax Connector said in a social media post, adding that anyone with questions can call 703-339-7200.

So far, Fairfax City hasn’t announced any changes to its CUE bus service, and Metro is still planning to offer regular bus service, though specific routes may be detoured or suspended depending on the weather conditions.

The Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority has already canceled all track work scheduled for this weekend. Any service updates will be posted on the transit system’s website.

In preparation for the storm, WMATA has mobilized more than 400 pieces of equipment and stocked up on over 300 tons of salt.

Last month, we changed the way we manage bus service during inclement weather to get buses on the road faster and keep you safe. Now, we categorize bus service on a route-by-route basis in three ways:

❄️Regular service

❄️Snow detour

❄️Temporarily suspended

wmata.com/snow

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— Metro (@wmata.com) January 24, 2026 at 11:03 AM

Police and local and state officials are urging people to avoid traveling during the storm unless they absolutely have to.

As previously reported, Fairfax County will close all facilities, except for emergency services and hypothermia shelters, starting at 8 p.m. tonight through Sunday.

The National Weather Service predicts parts of the D.C. region could see up to 14 inches of snow and sleet, but Fairfax County will likely get closer to five to 10 inches.

From the Winter Storm Warning most recently updated at 1:15 p.m.:

…WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM EST MONDAY…

* WHAT…Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 6 and 10 inches, with up to 14 inches possible, especially in the far northern and western suburbs of Washington and Baltimore. Ice accumulations between one and two tenths of an inch.

* WHERE…DC, portions of central, northeast, and northern Maryland, and northern Virginia.

* WHEN…From 11 PM this evening to 4 AM EST Monday.

* IMPACTS…Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Snow will likely overspread the area tonight, becoming heavy at times with rates of one to two inches per hour possible at times. A mix with sleet or freezing rain is expected Sunday. Significant icing is possible especially south of Highway 50. Visibility of one-quarter mile or less is possible at times. A prolonged period of wind chills in the single digits and teens continues this evening and lasting through the middle of next week, with sub-zero wind chills possible at times.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Persons should consider delaying all travel. Motorists should use extreme caution if travel is absolutely necessary.

A Cold Weather Advisory extended earlier today until noon has now expired, though extreme cold is expected to persist through next week.

About the Author

  • Angela Woolsey is the site editor for FFXnow. A graduate of George Mason University, she worked as a general assignment reporter for the Fairfax County Times before joining Local News Now as the Tysons Reporter editor in 2020.