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Northern GW Parkway to close with snow expected Friday night

A U.S. Postal Service truck in Vienna during the Jan. 19, 2024 snowstorm (photo by Amy Woolsey)

(Updated at 5 p.m.) The northern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway will close tonight (Friday) in anticipation of some snowfall, the National Park Service says.

The closure will start at 7 p.m. and extend from the Capital Beltway (I-495) in McLean to Spout Run in Arlington.

“This closure is necessary to ensure the proper treatment of the roadway and to restore the parkway to safe travel conditions,” the park service said in its announcement of the closure this morning. “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.”

Drivers are advised to plan to use an alternate route.

As rehabilitation work continues on the northern GW Parkway, the NPS instituted a policy this winter of closing the road whenever 2 or more inches of snow are forecast.

The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory this morning for the D.C. area, including Fairfax County that will be in effect from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday). Two to four inches of snow are expected, though some areas could potentially see as many as six inches, according to the advisory.

The impending storm has already prompted the Town of Vienna to cancel classes that were scheduled for tomorrow at the Vienna Community Center and Bowman House.

“The Community Center is expected to open at 10:30 a.m. for rentals and public use,” the town said in a tweet.

Fairfax County Public Schools has nixed all activities set to take place on school grounds before noon tomorrow, including extracurricular activities, athletic team practices and non-FCPS community and recreational programs.

Here’s the full advisory from the NWS:

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 AM EST SATURDAY…

* WHAT…Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated totals up to 6 inches possible under heavier snow bands.

* WHERE…Portions of central Maryland, The District of Columbia, and northern Virginia.

* WHEN…From 11 PM this evening to 7 AM EST Saturday.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible for a few hours under the heaviest snow bands. Visibility may be reduced to less than one half mile at times.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

When venturing outside, watch your first few steps taken on steps, sidewalks, and driveways, which could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.

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JUST IN: Fairfax County Public Schools delays classes for possible snow

A rainy night lies ahead, as seen on a traffic camera at Gallows Road near Yorktowne Center in Merrifield (via VDOT)

Fairfax County Public Schools will start classes two hours late tomorrow (Tuesday) in case there’s snow.

No weather alerts have been issued for the county yet, but the National Weather Service’s current forecast indicates that rain is expected to continue through tonight, potentially turning into snow early in the morning.

“New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible,” the NWS says.

According to the Capital Weather Gang, weather models suggest the rain could turn into snow around 6-9 a.m., with the heaviest snowfall coming around 7-10 a.m.

Reston Community Center has already canceled all programs tomorrow, but its pool will open at 9 a.m.

Image via VDOT

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Snow closes Fairfax County government, delaying start of early voting

About two inches of snow fell overnight in Vienna, accumulating on top of earlier snowfall (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Updated at 6 p.m. — The GW Parkway has reopened after closing for the snow, the National Park Service announced, though both north and southbound traffic is limited to a single lane in the construction area.

Earlier: Like the snow that triggered them, facility closures and service delays are piling up in Fairfax County.

After Fairfax County Public Schools determined last night that it will have a snow day today (Friday), the Fairfax County government announced shortly before 7 a.m. that it will instead close and grant employees administrative leave — a reversal of an earlier plan to operate as usual.

The closure includes the Fairfax County Government Center, which means that early voting for the 2024 presidential primaries won’t start today as scheduled. Instead, early voting will begin tomorrow (Saturday) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fairfax County, Mount Vernon and North County government centers.

The closure also applies to all Fairfax County Park Authority facilities and the county’s circuit, general district and juvenile and domestic relations courts. Neighborhood and Community Services has also preemptively postponed the “Stuff the Bus” food collection event that was scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday) outside the West Falls Church Giant (7235 Arlington Blvd).

For the second time this week, the northern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway from I-495 in McLean to Spout Run in Arlington has been temporarily closed to traffic due to the weather.

“This closure is necessary to ensure the proper treatment of the roadway and to restore the parkway to safe travel conditions,” the National Park Service said. “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.”

The NPS has said that it will shut down the roadway, which is under construction, if two or more inches of snow are forecast.

Other travel impacts include reduced Metrobus service, including some suspended routes and detours. Fairfax Connector is operating regular service, but some routes are making detours, particularly in the Herndon area.

A light snow is expected to continue falling into this afternoon, potentially adding another one to two inches, according to the Capital Weather Gang, which reported that more than three inches had already been recorded at Dulles International Airport before 9 a.m.

That snowfall comes on top of the two to five inches that fell on Monday and Tuesday, most of which hadn’t yet melted. That storm was the first time that the D.C. area had gotten over an inch of snow since 2022.

The National Weather Service, which has a Winter Weather Advisory in effect for the D.C. area through 7 p.m., warns that visibility will stay reduced along the I-66 and Route 50 corridors.

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Fairfax County Public Schools to close again Friday with more snow expected

Snow on leaves (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The D.C. area is expected to be hit with another round of snow tomorrow (Friday), prompting Fairfax County Public Schools to call for its second snow day this week.

All schools and central offices will be closed tomorrow, FCPS announced at 5:25 p.m. today. The closure includes extracurricular activities, field trips and other events on school grounds.

Classes were also canceled on Tuesday (Jan. 16) and started two hours late Wednesday after the region got more than an inch of snow for the first time in nearly two years.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Fairfax County that will take effect from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow. One to three inches of accumulated snow are possible, adding onto the three to five inches that fell earlier this week and have yet to fully melt.

The Virginia Department of Transportation says its Northern Virginia District crews started spot-treating roads with brine today and will continue once snow begins to fall tomorrow morning.

Here’s the full winter weather alert from the NWS:

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 7 PM EST FRIDAY…

* WHAT…Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches north of US-50/I-66 with amounts around 1 inch to the south.

* WHERE…Portions of central and southern Maryland, The District of Columbia and northern and northwest Virginia.

* WHEN…From 4 AM to 7 PM EST Friday.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions will impact the morning commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

When venturing outside, watch your first few steps taken on steps, sidewalks, and driveways, which could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.

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GW Parkway reopens to traffic in McLean area after snow

The GW Parkway’s northern section has reopen to traffic after this week’s snow (via Google Maps)

Snow remains on the ground after the D.C. area’s biggest snowstorm in two years, but the George Washington Memorial Parkway at least has reopened for traffic.

The roadway’s northern section from I-495 (Capital Beltway) in McLean to Spout Run in Arlington had been closed since Monday morning (Jan. 15) in response to the forecasted snow, which was expected to exceed 2 inches.

The National Park Service announced this morning (Wednesday) that the GW Parkway is open again, but northbound and southbound traffic are each confined to one lane in the stretch that’s under construction as part of an ongoing rehabilitation project.

“Drivers should continue to stay alert while driving through the construction zone, observe traffic signs, respect the 40-mph speed limit, expect delays through narrow travel lanes, and plan alternate routes,” the NPS said.

Fairfax Connector resumed regular service today after operating on a reduced schedule since 8 p.m. on Monday, though the bus system warned that some routes are using detours due to road conditions. Metrobus is also running nearly all bus routes on a regular schedule with some detours.

With temperatures dropping into the teens this morning, or even as low as 9 degrees at Dulles International Airport, the Virginia Department of Transportation cautioned travelers to watch out for icy spots on roads and pavement.

According to preliminary totals from the National Weather Service, snowfall totals in Fairfax County ranged from 2.8 inches in Lorton to 4.8 inches reported in Herndon and Vienna. Inside the Beltway, the county recorded roughly 3.5 inches.

This was the first time in 728 days that the D.C. region got more than an inch of snow, according to the Capital Weather Gang.

The storm prompted Fairfax County Public Schools to call a snow day yesterday — its first since 2022. The school system resumed classes today on a two-hour delay.

Image via Google Maps

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JUST IN: FCPS calls off classes on Tuesday, Fairfax Connector reduces service due to snow

A man and kids walk in the snow past Appletree preschool in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County Public Schools is using up its first snow day of the year, canceling all classes and other activities on school grounds tomorrow (Tuesday) as flurries continue to blanket the D.C. area.

Affected activities include extracurricular programs, sports practices, field trips, outside recreation classes, adult education classes and the School Age Child Care (SACC) centers.

FCPS has 11 snow days built into its calendar, and unlike in the past couple of years, students don’t need to fear a shift to virtual classes after the first five days.

A Winter Weather Advisory is currently in effect for the county through 7 a.m. tomorrow. The National Weather Service projects that this storm could result in two to three inches of snow accumulation, along with possible freezing rain and drizzle, according to the Fairfax County Department of Emergency Management.

“Snow intensity will increase this evening before tapering off overnight,” the NWS said, warning that the “hazardous” road conditions could still affect tomorrow’s morning commute.

In anticipation of the roadways becoming a challenge, Fairfax Connector will reduce service starting at 8 p.m. today (Monday). The bus system will continue running several routes on a holiday weekday service, but some will end at or around 8 p.m.

Tomorrow, the Connector will implement a Saturday service schedule. A list of the specific routes that will be provided can be found on the Fairfax County Department of Transportation’s website, and minute-by-minute status updates will be available through BusTracker.

The George Washington Memorial Parkway has been temporarily closed in the McLean area. Due to ongoing construction, the National Park Service previously announced that the section from I-495 to Spout Run in Arlington would close if two or more inches of snow are forecast.

Here’s the full message from the NPS:

The George Washington Memorial Parkway, from 495 to Spout Run, is closed due to the forecasted severe winter weather in the area. 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.

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NEW: Winter Weather Advisory issued for Fairfax County ahead of storm

Fairfax County could get up to an inch of snow and sleet during a winter storm on Saturday, Jan. 6 (via National Weather Service)

The season’s first winter storm is making its way toward the D.C. region, though the chances for serious snow in Fairfax County are iffy.

Instead, the county is expected to get a slushy mix of rain, snow and sleet, starting tomorrow (Saturday) morning. The precipitation could add up to an inch of snow and sleet accumulations, along with “a light glaze” of ice, according to a Winter Weather Advisory issued today by the National Weather Service.

The advisory, which also includes central and southeast Prince William County, is scheduled to take effect at 7 a.m. tomorrow and stay in place until 2 p.m. After that, the wintry mix is anticipated to turn into rain.

“Slow down and use caution while traveling,” the NWS said. “When venturing outside, watch your first few steps taken on steps, sidewalks, and driveways, which could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.”

Fairfax County notes that some of its facilities may close and programs might get canceled, depending on the severity of the weather.

Virginia Department of Transportation crews began treating roadways with salt brine this morning, a process that will be complete by this afternoon’s rush hour, according to a snow update.

The full Winter Weather Advisory is below:

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 2 PM EST SATURDAY…

* WHAT…Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations of a coating to an inch, and ice accumulations of a light glaze.

* WHERE…Fairfax County, and Central and Southeast Prince William County.

* WHEN…From 7 AM to 2 PM EST Saturday.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions and slippery untreated paved surfaces, mainly from light ice glaze due to freezing rain.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Precipitation is expected to begin as snow and sleet between 7 and 9 AM. Precipitation will change to freezing rain around 11 AM, then rain after 2 PM. Precipitation is expected to end during the early evening.

Map via National Weather Service

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Part of GW Parkway will close for winter weather, NPS warns

Drivers stranded in the snow on the GW Parkway in January 2011 (photo courtesy Steve Buttry)

The National Park Service is warning commuters of potential shutdowns of the GW Parkway in the event of winter weather.

The northern portion of the George Washington Memorial Parkway will close in advance of storms forecasting two or more inches of snow and any amount of freezing rain or ice, NPS said in a press release Wednesday. The road will close four hours before the forecasted start of the storm and drivers will need to seek alternate routes.

The announcement comes amid construction on the ongoing North Parkway Rehabilitation Project, which has resulted in narrower lane widths and a reversible-lane traffic pattern. The work is taking place between Spout Run Parkway in Arlington and the Beltway in McLean.

“Bad weather could shift the reversible lane schedule or close the parkway,” the park service said. “The NPS will pre-treat roads, however treating the road and removing snow will take more time because snow removal crews need to use smaller equipment to fit in the narrower lanes.”

Drivers should also expect delays in reopening the northern section of the parkway while crews clear snow and treat other sections of the parkway and park areas, the release noted. NPS urged drivers to follow traffic signs and the 40 mph speed limit.

The rehabilitation project was announced two years ago. The National Park Service and the Federal Highway Administration awarded a $161 million contract for the project “to improve driving experience, safety and water drainage while retaining and reviving the historic beauty and significance of the parkway.”

The northern section of the parkway has seen frequent potholes and other rough driving conditions, in addition to occasional sinkholes prompting full closures. Weather has also prompted closures in the past, stranding drivers during snowstorms and blocking the parkway with fallen trees during summer storms.

More, below, from the National Park Service.

As winter approaches, construction on the North Parkway Rehabilitation Project continues with narrower lane widths and a reversible-lane traffic pattern. Bad weather could shift the reversible lane schedule or close the parkway. Drivers should be aware of the following and plan accordingly. The northern section of the parkway:

  • Will close for storms forecasting 2 or more inches of snow or any amount of freezing rain or ice. The road will close 4 hours before the forecasted start of the storm. Drivers will need to seek alternate routes.
  • Will remain open for storms forecasting fewer than 2 inches of snow and no freezing rain or ice.

The NPS will pre-treat roads, however treating the road and removing snow will take more time because snow removal crews need to use smaller equipment to fit in the narrower lanes. Drivers should expect delays in reopening the northern section of the parkway while crews clear snow and treat other sections of the parkway and park areas. Throughout the project, drivers should observe traffic signs, respect the 40-mph speed limit, expect delays through narrow travel lanes and seek alternate routes. Commercial vehicles are always prohibited from using the parkway.

Where to find more information 

Closure and re-opening information will be shared with GWMP Rehabilitation project news subscribers. Drivers can view construction updates and opt-in to receive emails about traffic impacts, meetings and major project milestones. Updates about road closures may also be posted on social media.

This story was originally published by FFXnow’s sister site ARLnow.

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FCPS fully restores snow days, ending use of virtual learning

Kids with sleds cross the street to Cunningham Park Elementary School in Vienna on a snow day in January 2022 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A flurry of snow days will be on the table for Fairfax County Public Schools this winter, though it remains to be seen how much the weather will oblige.

FCPS has built 11 snow days into its 2023-2024 calendar, and it will fully close on all of them if needed, ending a recent practice of shifting to virtual learning after five snow days.

“This adjustment aims to maximize in-person learning and to ensure equitable access to instruction and student services for all students,” FCPS said yesterday (Monday) in a press release.

Like other school districts across the country, FCPS experimented with remote and hybrid learning during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the initial rollout was hampered by technology issues, and many students and staff reported experiencing mental health struggles.

Though in-person classes fully resumed in August 2021, FCPS is still grappling with the fallout of the pandemic’s disruptions, from learning losses and a spike in chronic absenteeism to a federal mandate to compensate special education students denied the services they needed during virtual learning.

FCPS revised its snow-day policy starting in the 2021-2022 school year so that virtual learning would kick in after five days of cancellations due to inclement weather. All five days got used up that year, but the D.C. area saw almost no snow last winter, rendering the policy unnecessary.

This winter is expected to be a different story. The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang is predicting that the region will get the most snow in five years, a forecast echoed by local TV weather teams.

Still, a break from school shouldn’t mean a break from learning, according to FCPS.

Superintendent Michelle Reid is soliciting suggestions for ways to keep students engaged during snow days and over winter break at WinterDiscovery@fcps.edu. FCPS says any submitted ideas will be shared on its website as “a valuable resource for students and families.”

More from FCPS:

On snow days, students will still have access to educational resources. They can utilize Tutor.com, complete supplemental learning opportunities recommended by their teachers, and tune in to educational programming available virtually and on public access television channels:

  • Elementary school instruction: Red Apple 21
  • Middle school instruction: Channel 25
  • High school instruction: Channel 99

Dr. Reid expressed enthusiasm for continued learning opportunities outside traditional classroom settings during snow days. Whether exploring the physics of sledding down a hill or experimenting with ratios to create the perfect mug of hot chocolate with whipped cream, students are encouraged to embrace the diverse learning spaces that abound during inclement weather.

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Upward climb remains for proposed ski resort in Fairfax County

A sky terrace is planned at the proposed Fairfax Peak site in Lorton (via Fairfax County)

The arrival of one of the largest indoor ski facilities in the world to Fairfax County is still up in the air.

Alpine-X, a Tysons-based company, had hoped to file plans late last year to lease land at the county-owned I-95 landfill in Lorton for the public-private project called Fairfax Peak.

“Market changes” pushed that goal back, according to Alpine-X Chief Financial Officer Jim Calder.

“We’re hoping to have a better sense of timing in the next three months,” Calder said.

“The current markets/inflationary construction costs have impacted our timeline,” a spokesperson for the company told FFXnow. “However, our goal is to transition to rapid development as soon as these factors improve.”

Alpine-X filed a proposal in 2018 to build the 450,000-square-foot snow sports facility with a 1,700-foot ski slope.

Other features of the proposed snow sports complex might include multiple ski slopes, a water park, gravity ropes course, areas for skiing and snowboarding, restaurants, a gondola, a luxury hotel and a gravity-powered mountain coaster, according to the submitted proposal.

In December 2021, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to extend the negotiation period between the county and the company until Dec. 31, 2023.

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