Author: Angela Woolsey

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.

Around Town

Photos: Reston families revel in ‘Ice-travaganza’ before storm

By Angela Woolsey
An ice sculpture near Reston Town Center's ice skating rink at Ice-travaganza (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Despite cold temperatures and a looming storm, plenty of families stopped by the Reston Town Center pavilion on Saturday (Jan. 24) to enjoy a variety of winter activities.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the town center’s second annual “Ice-travaganza” brought live music, free hot chocolate, ice skating and ice sculptures that were soon buried under as many as eight inches of snow by Winter Storm Fern, which passed through the area a day later.

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News

JUST IN: Child trapped in McLean culvert rescued after snowstorm

By Angela Woolsey
Firefighters rescue child trapped in McLean culvert (via FCFRD/Facebook)

A child in McLean is safe and sound after getting caught in a culvert while playing in the snow this afternoon (Monday), the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) says.

Firefighters responded to the 1900 block of MacArthur Drive around 4:45 p.m. after receiving reports of a trapped child.

Go to JUST IN: Child trapped in McLean culvert rescued after snowstorm Read more
Countywide

Fairfax’s initial snow totals from Sunday fall short of January 2025 storm

By Angela Woolsey and Associated Press
Preliminary snowfall totals for D.C. region from Winter Storm Fern on Jan. 25, 2026 (via National Weather Service)

Though it ground most activity in the D.C. region to a halt yesterday (Sunday), Winter Storm Fern ultimately came up short of last year’s biggest winter event in terms of total snowfall.

The storm dumped between 5.5 inches and 8.5 inches of snow and sleet on different parts of Fairfax County, according to unofficial measurements taken by National Weather Service staff and trained spotters.

Go to Fairfax’s initial snow totals from Sunday fall short of January 2025 storm Read more
Countywide

UPDATED: Fairfax County facilities, schools to stay closed on Tuesday due to ice

By Angela Woolsey
Vienna Town Hall during Winter Storm Fern on Jan. 25, 2026 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County government offices and schools will remain closed tomorrow (Tuesday), as work continues to clean up roads after yesterday’s Winter Storm Fern.

In addition to closing schools for a second day, Fairfax County Public Schools is canceling all activities on school grounds, including extracurricular programs, team practices, field trips, middle school after-school programs, and adult education classes.

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Countywide

Cold Weather Advisory issued for Fairfax, prolonging hazardous travel conditions

By Angela Woolsey
Town of Vienna snow plow clearing road during Winter Storm Fern (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Cold Weather Advisory has been issued for Fairfax County, suggesting the icy conditions currently slowing travel across the region could continue for a while.

The advisory is set to take effect at 7 p.m. tonight (Monday) and stay in place until 11 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday). Current forecasts indicate that temperatures could remain below freezing through the rest of this week, with highs topping out at 24 degrees on Wednesday (Jan. 28).

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Countywide

Fairfax County School Board approves first new boundary plan in four decades

By Angela Woolsey
New Fairfax County Public Schools high school boundaries, as shown in an updated boundary explorer tool (via FCPS)

Fairfax County Public Schools’ first comprehensive redistricting effort in 40 years is complete.

The Fairfax County School Board voted 8-3 at its meeting last Thursday (Jan. 22) to approve the revised school boundaries recommended by Superintendent Michelle Reid after an 18-month review focused on addressing overcrowding, split feeders and other issues created over decades of piecemeal adjustments.

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Countywide

As Winter Storm Fern continues, Fairfax County extends closures through Monday

By Angela Woolsey
People walking at Maple Avenue and Park Street in Vienna during Winter Storm Fern on Jan. 25, 2026 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

With snow and sleet continuing to pile up across Fairfax County, the local government has officially extended all facility closures through tomorrow (Monday).

Affected facilities include parks, recreation and community centers, libraries and courthouses, which have all been shuttered since 8 p.m. yesterday (Saturday) due to Winter Storm Fern.

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Countywide

Most flights canceled at Dulles, National airports due to snow

By Angela Woolsey
Snowplows clear airfield at Dulles International Airport during Winter Storm Fern (via Dulles Airport/X)

All flights from Reagan National Airport and most from Dulles International Airport have been canceled today (Sunday) due to the ongoing Winter Storm Fern.

According to a 7 a.m. update, snow began to fall at Dulles around midnight, and the airport has a snow team working to keep at least one runway open, though most flight activity has been suspended.

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Countywide

Fairfax County urges residents to stay off roads as snow turns into sleet

By Angela Woolsey
A Town of Vienna snow plow clears Park Street during Winter Storm Fern on Jan. 25, 2026 (photo by Amy Woolsey)

Winter Storm Fern has arrived in Fairfax County, bringing a mix of snow and sleet as anticipated.

Fairfax County is urging residents to avoid traveling today (Sunday) as snowplows work to clear major roads, noting that the storm is expected to continue for “several more hours.”

Go to Fairfax County urges residents to stay off roads as snow turns into sleet Read more
News

JUST IN: Driver killed in crash on I-495 prior to winter storm

By Angela Woolsey
Virginia State Police vehicle (photo by John Calhoun/JC Photography)

Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred last night (Saturday) on the Capital Beltway (I-495) in Springfield prior to the ongoing winter storm.

Troopers responded around 8:24 p.m. after a sedan exiting from southbound I-395 to northbound I-495 “lost control” when approaching Backlick Road.

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