Gov declares a state of emergency in response to winter storm – VAians urged to prepare now. https://t.co/2WHbxAlM7N pic.twitter.com/8pXfhO3m0y
— Terry McAuliffe (@GovernorVA) January 21, 2016
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency for Virginia because of the winter storm expected to slam the region tomorrow and Saturday.
McAuliffe declared the state of emergency around 8 a.m. Thursday to allow Virginia businesses, residents and officials to prepare for the impending snow, and urged them to prepare right away.
“Keeping Virginians safe in the event of severe weather is our top concern – that is why Virginia began preparing for severe winter weather yesterday by ordering more than 500 vehicles out to pretreat roads in Northern Virginia,” McAuliffe said in a press release. “All Virginians should take the threat of this storm seriously and take necessary precautions now to ensure they are prepared for travel disruptions and possible power outages during a cold weather period.”
A Blizzard Watch was issued by the National National Weather Service Wednesday, well in advance of the storm that could bring up to two feet of snow in Reston.
The Blizzard Watch begins Friday at noon and will be in effect until Sunday morning. The NWS says to expect 40 mph winds and below-freezing temperatures.
Virginia road crews were not as vigilant Wednesday night, when an inch or two fell in DC and Northern Virginia, snarling traffic on main roads for hours.
Virginia officials issued the following tips for staying safe during the storm (after the jump).
Fairfax County Schools will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 21.
That’s a departure from the announcement the school system made Wednesday night, when it said there would be a two-hour delay after a small amount of snow fell during rush hour and into the evening.
There was significant re-freeze overnight and the roads are not in good condition this morning, according to DC-area forecasters and traffic-watchers.
FCPS’ closure also means the following are canceled:
- extracurricular activities
- interscholastic contests and games
- team practices
- field trips
- middle school after-school programs
- professional learning and training courses
- adult and community education classes
- recreation programs and community use by outside groups not affiliated with FCPS
- School age child care (SACC) centers are closed.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is urging motorists who must head out to use extreme caution, as low ground temperatures overnight mean that even treated roads have refrozen. “
“Slow down, allow extra time to destinations, and take extra care on areas prone to freezing such as bridges, ramps and secondary roads,” VDOT said in a statement.
About 500 trucks worked through the night to clear extremely treacherous conditions, said VDOT. Crews will remain on duty through the morning rush hour to continually treat slick roads.
Drivers are reminded to check www.511virginia.org for road conditions and to follow @VaDOTNOVA on Twitter.
Traffic officials are hoping to avoid a repeat of Wednesday night’s commute, where many people said it took hours to make a what is usually a 30-minute commute. Major arteries such as I-66, Route 123, and I-495 were jammed, leaving drivers frozen and frustrated.
Me stuck in traffic on MD-210 around 11pm last night. From Reston to Waldorf took 10+ hours. @fox5dc @WTOPtraffic pic.twitter.com/9K4UknFz58
— lamont152 (@lamont152) January 21, 2016
@wusa9 took me 4.5 hours to get from Reston to Fort Washington — Candace Wilson (@cwilson7719) January 21, 2016
And this is all just a warm-up — or cold-up, even though that’s not a phrase — to the big storm expected to hit Reston and Northern Virginia Friday night and Saturday. The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Watch, saying the storm — expected to begin Friday afternoon — could have two feet of snow, high winds and power outages.
Restonians did their usual mass dash for storm necessities beginning Wednesday, reporting long lines and empty shelves at local grocery stores.
Reston Now will give you more information on updates forecasts and additional closings for Friday’s storm as it gets closer.
Photo: Top, Snow in Reston/2014 file photo; Bottom, empty shelves at Reston Trader Joe’s Wednesday afternoon/Courtesy Amanda Andere
Several adjustments are already being made in advance of the expected snowstorm in Reston Friday and Saturday. The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Watch for a storm expected to dump more than a foot of snow here.
South Lakes High School’s basketball games against Langley have been moved from Friday to Thursday, Jan. 21.
Girls will play at home at 7:15 p.m. Boys will play at Langley at 7:15 p.m. Freshman will play at 4:30 p.m.; Junior Varsity at 5:30 p.m.
The Reston Camp Expo, slated for this Saturday at Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods has been moved to Saturday, Jan. 30 at RCC-HW from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The camp expo is an opportunity for families to learn about the many summer opportunities in Reston.
Saturday is also an SAT date at Herndon High School. If Fairfax County Public School activities are canceled on Saturday, then the SAT will also be canceled, College Board officials said.
Students registered to take the test should monitor FCPS updates.
If schools remain open and a student is unable to get to the testing location, the student should call SAT Customer Services at (866) 756-7346 to reschedule.
In the event of a cancellation on Saturday, the makeup date is Saturday, Feb. 20. Students will need to contact their test site to confirm administration of the SAT on the makeup date, the College Board says.
Know of any other postponements or cancellations? Tell us in the comments. Reston Now will also keep you updated with more closings as they occur.
It’s been a mild winter so far, with barely a few flakes falling in Reston.
That could change this weekend.
It’s four days away, but some forecasters are saying expected snowfall this weekend could be a major storm.
Local TV stations were at a grocery and hardware story Monday night — four days away from said snowfall — already interviewing people who were preparing for the event by buying the usual ice melter and bread.
Does anyone ever take this info seriously anymore? Yes, it’s January. It snows here. But the Washington area seems to have forgotten the different between a forecast of four inches and one of 24 inches. (By the way, they are calling for somewhere in the middle…or they can’t even say this far out).
Bottom line: It will likely snow Friday and Saturday. Here is what the Capital Weather Gang says. Here is info from The Weather Channel.
Whether the storm is brutal or a bust, we will keep you posted on how it will affect Reston.
Snow in Reston/file photo
Tuesday’s commute home could be kind of slippery. Snow showers — the first of the season — are expected to hit about 4 p.m., followed by a steep drop in temperatures.
Here is the latest (as of about 2 p.m.) from the National Weather Service:
…SNOW SHOWERS AND STRONG WINDS EXPECTED TO IMPACT RUSH HOUR THIS EVENING…
A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL CROSS THE REGION THIS EVENING DURING RUSH HOUR. THE FRONT WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS. THE SNOW SHOWERS WILL START TO MOVE INTO THE METRO AREA BY 4 PM AND SHOULD CLEAR THE REGION BY 8 PM.
THE SNOW SHOWERS MAY BE LOCALLY HEAVY AND COULD DROP A QUICK COATING OF SNOW IN SOME AREAS. WHILE ROAD TEMPERATURES ARE WARM AT PRESENT…GUSTY WINDS AND COLDER AIR MOVING INTO THE AREA MAY RESULT IN PATCHES OF ICE ON UNTREATED ROADWAYS THIS EVENING. THE GUSTY WINDS MAY ALSO REACH 50 MPH WHICH COULD CAUSE SPOTTY MINOR DAMAGE.
EVENING COMMUTERS SHOULD USE EXTRA CAUTION AND TAKE THEIR TIME. VISIBILITY COULD DROP RAPIDLY FOR A BRIEF PERIOD DURING HEAVIER SNOW SHOWERS…AND ROADS WHICH APPEAR WET LATER THIS EVENING COULD IN FACT BE ICY.
file photo
It’s been a mild winter in Reston so far. Remember wearing shorts on Christmas Day? Or that we’ve already set a record for the latest date with no measurable snow?
That could change on Tuesday. Maybe.
Meteorologists say an Alberta clipper will be dropping down across the Great Lakes and heading here today, bringing blustery conditions and snow showers to Northern Virginia.
But they also say temperatures may hover in the 40s, making it too warm for any significant snow. After sundown, though, temperatures will drop and the snow may pick up.
Still, they for calling “conversational” snow around here. Possibly enough to whiten the ground; not nearly enough to impact driving, school schedules or snowman making.
Winter’s not over yet.
Spring officially begins on Friday, March 20. And while crocuses are popping up all over Reston, they may be covered with a bit of snow tomorrow.
Rain is expected to begin falling overnight, but with temperatures dipping below freezing, that may change to snow around daybreak Friday, forecasters say.
The Capital Weather Gang says areas south of D.C., including Fairfax County, will get a coating to an inch. Northern areas could see up to 3 inches.
By Saturday — the first full day of spring — spring will reappear. Temperatures should be 55-60, or enough to melt the traces of winter’s last gasp.
Photo: Crocuses in snow in March 2014
It’s Frozen Friday.
If you are venturing out to shovel — or go to work — here is what you need to know:
It’s 10 degrees at 7:30 a.m. in Reston — but the high today is 27. Good news: It will be in the 50s next week.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is asking residents to delay trips today. Said VDOT: “Many icy patches out there, even on interstates. Crews are treating but extremely low road temps and rapid refreeze.
Fairfax County Public Schools are closed.
Wiehle-Reston East is operating on a normal schedule after being closed last night due to a small fire and flooding.
Fairfax County Government offices will open at 10 a.m. today. Employees have been granted unscheduled leave. Emergency service personnel should report as scheduled.
he Fairfax County Circuit Court, General District Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court will open on time.
Parks, Community and Recreation and Community Centers — If you have questions about Park Authority facilities, contact the site directly, call the Parks inclement weather line at 703-324-8661<, TTY 711, or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.
The Reston Community Center may be affected by the inclement weather. Call RCC at 703-476-4500, TTY 711, www.restoncommunitycenter.com.
Fairfax Connector bus service is operating on a normal schedule, however, check the Connector Web page at www.fairfaxconnector.com for the current operating status and updates.
Fairfax County Public Libraries are closed today.
Reston Association offices will open at 10 a.m.
Area airports are open, but there are cancelations, so check with your airlines.
File photo of frozen Lake Audubon
Updated, 6:35 p.m. Thursday: Fairfax County Public Schools have announced there will be no school Friday.
After nearly 12 hours of snow in Northern Virginia, roads remain “treacherous” Thursday night, says the Virginia Department of Transportation.
VDOT says there are multiple road closures throughout the county as snow began falling at 7 a.m. and was still falling at 5 p.m. The National Weather Service said Reston had received 7.5 inches of snow through 5 p.m.
Fairfax County 911 said it received calls from drivers asking about abandoning their vehicles. The county says vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense.
From Fairfax County Emergency Services:
If you can safely move your vehicle out of travel lanes you can call a tow truck to get the vehicle home; any vehicle left for more than 12 hours or deemed a road hazard by the police will be towed.
Abandoned vehicles may also contribute to accidents and the owner will be ticketed in this event. Exiting your vehicle puts you and other drivers in danger. If your vehicle is stuck and you are in danger, call 9-1-1, but otherwise you should have it towed.
Please remain off the roads if possible. Visibility is limited, temperatures are dropping and conditions are further deteriorating.
More than 3,800 trucks continue to plow roads in Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington counties according to VDOT. Staying off the roads allows crews to work safely. Crews are spreading salt and abrasives, as appropriate, concentrating their response efforts on the most heavily traveled routes. VDOT’s goal is to have all state-maintained roads passable within 48 hours after a storm ends.
This storm; however, may deliver a second punch as temperatures drop to record levels and icy conditions remain likely into Friday.
A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 9 p.m. Thursday.
Reston Now will update this story with any school and government closings for Friday.
Photo: Plow on Reston Parkway during Thursday’s snow/Credit: Eddie via Twitter
As expected, the overnight rain turned to snow about 7 a.m. Thursday. The latest National Weather Service forecast for Reston says 3 to 7 inches are expected. Plan for snow all day.
Here are some updates on closings and conditions:
Fairfax County Public Schools are closed. School Age Child Care (SACC) centers are closed.
The Federal Government is closed.
Fairfax County Government offices are closed. Employees are granted emergency administrative leave. Emergency service personnel should report as scheduled.
The Fairfax County Circuit Court, General District Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court are closed.
Fairfax Connector bus service may be affected by the inclement weather. Check the Connector Web page at fairfaxconnector.com for the current operating status.
For information about FASTRAN, call 703-222-9764Call: 703-222-9764, TTY 711, or online at fairfaxcounty.gov/ncs/fastran.htm.
View the public meetings calendar for any potential cancellations of public meetings of Fairfax County government Boards, Authorities or Commissions.
Emergency information is available on Fairfax County’s website (www.fairfaxcounty.gov), Facebook (www.facebook.com/fairfaxcounty), Twitter (www.twitter.com/fairfaxcounty), Fairfax Alerts at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/alerts or by calling the Fairfax County Emergency Information Hotline at 703-817-7771Call: 703-817-7771, TTY 711.
Reston Association offices are are also closed.
What do you plan to do on what seems like the 100th snow day this season?
Snow file photo by Robbie Nolan
Roads quickly turned dangerous as more than two inches of snow fell in Reston between 10 a.m. and noon on Saturday with no sign of letting up at mid-day.
The National Weather Service had predicted bad weather, and Fairfax County Public Schools events were canceled for Saturday. But the NWS’ Winter Weather Advisory was changed Saturday morning to a Winter Storm Warning that will be in effect until 6 a.m. Sunday.
The NWS says a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain will fall. From the NWS:
3 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW. ICE ACCUMULATIONS OF A TRACE TO A FEW HUNDREDTHS OF AN INCH.
TIMING…SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH MID-AFTERNOON. SNOW WILL CHANGE TO SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING. PRECIPITATION WILL CHANGE TO RAIN WITH AREAS OF FREEZING RAIN LATE TONIGHT.
TEMPERATURES…HIGHS TODAY IN THE MID TO UPPER 20S. TEMPERATURES SLOWLY RISING TONIGHT INTO EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. * WINDS…WINDS SOUTH 10 TO 20 MPH TODAY INTO TONIGHT NIGHT. WEST 5 TO 10 MPH EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.
IMPACTS…SNOW AND ICE WILL CAUSE HAZARDOUS TRAVELING CONDITIONS SATURDAY THROUGH EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.
As of noon Saturday, most major roads had not been plowed and driving was treacherous. The Virginia Department of Transportation says there a “accidents everywhere” in Northern Virginia, and people should stay off the roads.
Photo: Baron Cameron near Wiehle Saturday, Feb. 21/Credit: Lana Jones via Facebook
Update, 8:30 a.m. — Fairfax County Public Schools now says all elementary school buses in the Herndon and South Lakes pyramids are running on time and most middle school buses delivered their students on time.
Original story:
Despite temperatures in the single digits, school was ON for Fairfax County Public Schools Thursday.
But if your children are heading to a bus stop, bundle up. FCPS says that some buses in the South Lakes and Herndon pyramids are running 30- to 60-minutes late.
However, several Reston Now readers report their buses were right on time earlier this morning, so there really is no predicting who this affects.
It is the first day of school this week for FCPS students. Monday was a school holiday (Presidents Day), and Tuesday and Wednesday were snow days after about 3.5 inches of snow fell in Reston earlier in the week.
Many parents were puzzled by Wednesday’s closure as roads were clear and the sun was shining. Some were also surprised that school was on with no delay for Thursday as the entire region is under a wind chill advisory, making the already cold temperatures feel like -5 to -15. The wind chill advisory expires at 10 a.m. Thursday.
“I plan to drive the kids to school, and if you can’t, find them a ride because they’re running anywhere from on time to an hour late,” Reston Now reader Susan Sather, a mother of two FCPS students, wrote in the comments on our Facebook page. “My whole life in this county and I’ve never seen a year with such dreadful decision making about openings.”
Added reader Christy Allison: “They called to tell us 30-60 minutes late. I am not having my 5 year old stand out there for an hour, let alone an hour and a half. If the buses are then on time and we miss ours, I will be very upset indeed.”
Another parent pointed out that the announcement about the late buses came at 7:38 a.m. — after her high schooler had already boarded the (on-time) bus.
FCPS modified its school calendar for 2014-15 in order to build in extra classroom hours to be able to better absorb snow days without adding time to the end of the school year. Last month, FCPS Superintendent Karen Garza apologized to families after not closing schools despite an active snowstorm.
Some students took to Twitter to get #CLOSEFCPS as a trending topic on Thursday. The students did the same during the December snowstorm.
Did FCPS get it right today? Tell us in the comments.
A little snow on the ground. Kids out of Fairfax County Public Schools for the second day in a row. And now this: The National Weather Service is predicting an Arctic cold front (temps will feel below zero) and snow squalls later today.
Reston and the Metro D.C. area are under a Winter Weather Advisory from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and a Wind Chill Advisory from midnight tonight to 6 p.m. Thursday.
From the NWS:
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW… WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 9 PM EST THIS EVENING.
A WIND CHILL ADVISORY HAS ALSO BEEN ISSUED. THIS WIND CHILL ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM EST THURSDAY.
PRECIPITATION TYPE…SNOW SHOWERS AND SNOW SQUALLS.
ACCUMULATIONS…A COATING TO ONE INCH * TIMING…SNOW SHOWERS WILL DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON. THE BEST CHANCE FOR THE HEAVIER SNOW SHOWERS AND SNOW SQUALLS WILL BE BETWEEN 4 AND 8 PM THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
WIND CHILL…0 TO 10 DEGREES BELOW ZERO LATE TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY. * TEMPERATURES…HIGHS TODAY IN THE UPPER 20S TO AROUND 30 DEGREES. LOWS TONIGHT IN THE SINGLE DIGITS. HIGHS THURSDAY IN THE MID TO UPPER TEENS.
WINDS…WEST 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS AROUND 30 MPH.
IMPACTS…ROADS WILL BE SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY. VISIBILITY WILL BE LOCALLY REDUCED TO BELOW ONE-QUARTER MILE AT TIMES. THE COMBINATION OF SNOW COVERED ROADS AND SUDDEN REDUCTIONS IN VISIBILITY MAY CAUSE DANGEROUS TRAVELING CONDITIONS DURING THE EVENING RUSH.
THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY WINDS AND COLD TEMPERATURES TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY MAY RESULT IN DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS THAT CAN QUICKLY CAUSE HYPOTHERMIA AND FROST BITE.
Stay warm, Reston. What are the odds of having school on Thursday? Tell us in the comments.
Photo: Snow on Lake Anne/file photo
Snow, which fell as predicted, is having an impact this morning, and the Winter Storm Warning for our area remains in effect until noon.
Here are some things you need to know:
About 3 to 3.5 inches have fallen in Reston as of 5:45 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.
Fairfax County Public School are closed.
Fairfax County Government and Courts are closed.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will meet as scheduled, but start time has been changed to noon.
Reston Association offices are closed.
Fairfax County trash and recycling collection in sanitary districts (15 percent of county households) has been canceled. Collections are planned to resume in sanitary districts on Wednesday (weather and road conditions permitting) on the following schedule: Tuesday and Wednesday collections customers will be collected on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Service will return to normal on Thursday. If you have private trash service, check with your provider.
Fairfax County Park Authority programs are canceled.
The Federal Government is closed.
Fairfax Connector bus service will be operating on the regular Saturday schedule in order to allow more time for the Virginia Department of Transportation to clear the roadways. View details for Saturday service on VDOT’s website.
VDOT is urging drivers to delay travel until at least 10:00 a.m., as crews continue working to clear and treat roads in Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington counties. Interstates and major primaries are passable with extreme caution. Other roads were also plowed continuously overnight but still have a layer of snow and ice.
From VDOT:
- HOV restrictions are lifted on I-66, I-395 and the Dulles Toll Road. HOV-3 requirements still apply on the 495 and 95 Express Lanes.
- Eastbound I-66 X lanes will be unavailable for the morning rush hour, as crews continue to clear shoulders.
- Crews continue to clear interstates, major roads and neighborhood streets concurrently. Check www.vdotplows.org to see the status of plowing in neighborhoods.
- If you can, park in your driveway or on the odd-numbered side of the street to allow plows room to pass.
- After a plow has passed, roads will be passable, but will not be bare pavement and may remain snow-packed.
- Stay off the roads or delay trips to allow crews time to safely treat the roads.
Resources:
- If you must be on the road, check www.511virginia.orgbefore leaving for road conditions
- Report road problems to 1-800-367-7623 or [email protected].
- Get more details on snow removal in northern Virginia.
Forecasters say the snow should be tapering off by 7 a.m, but temperatures will remain below freezing through most of the week.
Photo: Snow on Lake Audubon by Robert H. via Twitter.
Snow fell overnight, causing a number of closures and delays for Tuesday, Jan. 27.
Fairfax County and School Status
- Fairfax County Government offices are open today, however employees have been granted unscheduled leave. Emergency service personnel should report as scheduled.
- Fairfax County Public Schools are closed today, Jan. 27, 2014. School Age Child Care(SACC) centers are closed.
- The Fairfax County Circuit Court, General District Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court have not yet made a decision on operating status as of 7 a.m.
Parks, Community and Recreation and Community Centers
- If you have questions about Park Authority facilities, contact the site directly, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.
- For Department of Neighborhood and Community Services programs and events visit fairfaxcounty.gov/ncs.
The Reston Community Center and the McLean Community Center may be affected by the inclement weather. Call RCC at 703-476-4500, TTY 711, restoncommunitycenter.com or MCC at 703-790-0123, TTY 711, www.mcleancenter.org for their current operating status.
Lake Anne in snow/file photo
