Snow is Sticking on Reston Roads as Gov. Declares State of Emergency

Roads throughout Reston are becoming snow-covered as this weekend’s winter storm gets underway.

Some 6-12 inches of snow is expected to fall on Fairfax County over the next 24 hours or so.

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency tonight (Saturday) ahead of the worst of the storm.

Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency today in advance of the anticipated effects of winter weather expected this weekend including snow, ice, and high winds throughout much of the Commonwealth. This will likely result in downed trees, power outages, and transportation impacts. The executive order is designed to help Virginia mitigate any damage caused by the winter weather event and to streamline the process that the Commonwealth uses to provide assistance to localities and communities impacted by storm effects.

“I am declaring a state of emergency in order to prepare and coordinate the Commonwealth’s response to anticipated winter storm impacts, including snow and ice accumulations, transportation issues, and power outages,” said Governor Northam. “Virginians should take precautions to stay safe as we begin experiencing winter weather effects.”

Snow is now accumulating on local yards, parking lots and side roads throughout the Fairfax County. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect through Sunday evening.

From the National Weather Service:

…WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST SUNDAY… * WHAT…HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 5 TO 10 INCHES EXPECTED. * WHERE…THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PORTIONS OF CENTRAL MARYLAND AND NORTHERN AND NORTHWEST VIRGINIA. * WHEN…UNTIL 6 PM EST SUNDAY. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS…TRAVEL COULD BE VERY DIFFICULT DUE TO SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY ROADS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE. 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. &&

VDOT, which is responsible for clearing snow from roads in Fairfax County — except for those that are privately owned — is urging residents to remain inside during the storm if at all possible.

More from social media:

Friends, if you’re out and about, please finish up whatever you’re doing. We’d like you off the roads during the height of the storm. We continue to load and deploy trucks and are prepared for some unpleasant driving conditions later. pic.twitter.com/X9MvSXfktH

— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) January 12, 2019

Who Does What: Snow Removal. A handy reminder as we go into our first snow of 2019 pic.twitter.com/fgGYmI1Xxt

— Fairfax County Government (@fairfaxcounty) January 12, 2019

https://twitter.com/FairfaxCountyPD/status/1084238468497244161

@dougkammerer #Reston is worried about the #snow !! Check out the lines at Giant right now. @nbcwashington #weather pic.twitter.com/dO9dzzrq0M

— Eddie (@WFOcom) January 12, 2019

Weekend Snow Now a Winter Storm Warning. Stay updated on County news and info @fairfaxcounty @ffxfirerescue @FairfaxCountyPD and https://t.co/t3RnmbnqB7 @WTOP @capitalweather @nbcwashington @wusa9 @fox5dc @ABC7News @TysonsReporter @RestonNow @route1corridor @FortHuntHerald pic.twitter.com/JsKVIvLZB8

— Tony Castrilli (@TonyCastrilli) January 12, 2019

File photo (above) by Mara Gifford via Twitter