Fairfax County Public Schools has called off classes for tomorrow (Monday), giving students an extra day of winter break as the D.C. region braces for what could be its biggest snowstorm in years.
Joining Arlington and other local school districts, FCPS will close its school buildings and offices tomorrow. All activities on school grounds have been canceled, including extracurricular activities, athletic practices and adult education classes, and School Age Child Care centers will also be closed.
In addition, Fairfax County has announced that government offices will be closed, and except for emergency personnel, employees have been granted emergency administrative leave.
Other announced closures include Fairfax County Public Library branches, Fairfax County Park Authority facilities and programs, and the Reston and McLean community centers.
Travel impacts of the impending storm are also starting to take shape. The George Washington Memorial Parkway will close at 6 p.m. today (Sunday) until further notice, the National Park Service says:
The George Washington Memorial Parkway North, from 495 to Spout Run, will be closed starting at 6 p.m. today until further notice due to anticipated severe winter weather conditions. This closure is necessary to ensure the proper treatment of the roadway and to restore the parkway to safe travel conditions. Crews will work diligently to treat the road for safe passage of drivers. Drivers should anticipate delays in reopening the northern section of the parkway as crews are required to use smaller equipment than usual to accommodate the lane widths and configurations. Please plan to use alternate routes.
A follow-up alert will be distributed once the parkway has reopened. Thank you in advance for your patience.
The Virginia Department of Transportation began pre-treating roads with salt brine yesterday and has been urging people to avoid driving if possible, particularly in Northern Virginia and parts of Central Virginia.
“VDOT is advising motorists not to travel in parts of Virginia Sunday afternoon into Monday,” VDOT said in a news release. “Treacherous conditions are expected overnight into Monday morning as snow is predicted to fall at a rate of an inch an hour and accumulation could be as much as 5 to 12-inches in Northern Virginia, Winchester, Harrisonburg, Fredericksburg and parts of Central Virginia.”
Metro will be operating its buses on a reduced schedule tomorrow, and the transit agency warns that disruptions to service should be expected. No changes to its rail service have been announced, but “some reduced service is expected as conditions develop.”
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the region, including Fairfax County, that’s currently scheduled to be in effect from 10 p.m. tonight to 1 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 7).
…WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO
1 AM EST TUESDAY…* WHAT…Heavy snow expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 5 and 10 inches, with amounts of up to 12 inches possible in isolated spots if heavy banding sets up in this area. Ice accumulations of a trace possible.
* WHERE…Portions of DC, central, north central, and northern Maryland, and northern Virginia.
* WHEN…From 10 PM this evening to 1 AM EST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS…Conditions will rapidly deteriorate tonight with untreated and unplowed roads becoming impassable for the Monday morning and evening commutes. During the times of heaviest snowfall, even primary roads may be impassable. It is highly recommended to postpone non-essential travel.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Snowfall rates between 1 to 3 inches per hour are possible between midnight and mid-morning Monday. A second round of heavy snow is likely Monday evening before precipitation ends Monday night.
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.
