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
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
More of the dreaded wintry mix is headed towards Reston this afternoon — which may make for a messy commute and early school closings.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the entire Washington, D.C., area from noon until 10 p.m. Tuesday. Forecasters say expect snow, sleet and freezing rain as temperatures hover right around freezing.
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza issued this statement late Monday:
At this time, we anticipate an on-time start for school tomorrow, March 3, 2015, as we strive to resume our regular academic calendar.
However, the National Weather Service is forecasting the possibility of freezing rain or sleet for tomorrow and this could result in an early dismissal of classes or the cancellation of after school and/or evening activities in FCPS schools or on school grounds.
Please monitor the FCPS website and Facebook and Twitter accounts, plus local media, and expect to receive a Keep in Touch message should we need to dismiss early or cancel after-school events.
Thank you for working with us as we continue to cope with this difficult winter weather.
Other area schools systems have also told parents to be on the lookout for early closings.
Many roads and sidewalks remain icy after Sunday’s freezing rain, and the weather has caused delays and openings.
Fairfax County Public Schools are closed on Monday. School age child care centers (SACC) is open.
Fairfax County Government offices are open, however employees have been granted unscheduled leave. Emergency service personnel should report as scheduled.
The federal government is opening two hours late.
The National Weather Service has issued a Dense Fog Alert for Northern Virginia through 9 a.m. Visibility is one-quarter mile or less.
Reston Now will keep you updated with any other delays, closings or road issues.
Photo: Ice-covered tree in Reston/Credit: Robbie Nolan via Twitter
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
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.
The first snow of the winter of 2014-15 began as scheduled — at about 10 a.m. on Wednesday, just as people everywhere were getting ready for the pre-Thanksgiving scramble.
The snow stuck to grassy areas, but was not accumulating on most roads around Reston. While some residential roads appear sloppy, major and secondary roads were clear as of about 12:30 p.m.
USA Today reports that hundreds of flights were canceled in anticipation of the storm on one of the busiest travel days of the year. Washington-area airports are reporting some delays. Check with your airlines or Flightaware.com to see where your travel plans stand.
The Virginia Department of Transportation said yesterday it has about 400 trucks staged in Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William and Arlington counties in preparation for the storm, even though it started as rain and may revert back to rain later.
VDOT urges drivers to “use extra caution, particularly on bridges, overpasses, curves, hills and ramps, which become slippery first.” Crews are not pre-treating roads since the rain would wash the treatment away.
AAA Mid-Atlantic says the weather could mean frustration for highway travelers Wednesday. Some motorists already heeded AAA’s warnings and left for the holiday on Tuesday.
That was probably a good plan.
“Wednesday can turn into a chaotic and frightening scene of events on the roadways along the East Coast,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman John Townsend. “With over one million travelers in Washington, D.C., another 1.1 in Virginia, and nearly 900,000 in Maryland taking to the roads this Thanksgiving, AAA is warning motorists to heed all travel warnings and stay home until road conditions improve.”
The National Weather Service says additional snow may fall overnight and temperatures will hover around freezing. Thanksgiving Day calls for a chance of rain and snow showers, mainly between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. with a high around 40.
Photo: First snowflakes of the season at Lake Anne/Credit: Ken Knueven via Facebook
The National Weather Service says a severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for Reston and Northern Virginia until 10 p.m. Tuesday.
A watch means the potential exists for severe weather. In nearby Loudoun and Montgomery counties, the alert has been upgraded to a warning.
Meanwhile, Monday’s late-afternoon storms that moved through Reston caused several downed trees in the North Shore area. About 400 customers also lost power, Dominion Virginia Power said.
From NWS:
DAMAGING THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING
SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS MAY BECOME NECESSARY FOR INDIVIDUAL STORMS AND WILL ALERT WEATHER RADIOS IF ISSUED. IF ONE IS ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA…KNOW WHAT TO DO. HERE ARE SOME SAFETY RULES TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN SEVERE WEATHER IS EXPECTED OR IS OCCURRING.
IF A WARNING IS ISSUED FOR YOUR SPOT…HEAD INDOORS IMMEDIATELY.
GO TO THE LOWEST FLOOR AWAY FROM WINDOWS. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM IS
DEFINED AS PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE OR GREATER HAIL AND DAMAGING
WIND GUSTS OF 58 MPH OR MORE.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for Fairfax County and most of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area through late Tuesday night.
Heavy rain is expected to continue off and on through this evening, which could result in flooding, says the NWS/
A Flash Flood Watch means conditions could develop leading to flooding.
From the NWS:
* AT 1139 AM EDT…EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTED FLASH FLOODING FROM VERY HEAVY RAIN. RADAR ESTIMATES THAT UP TO 2 INCHES OF RAIN HAVE ALREADY FALLEN ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE WARNED AREA. ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF UP TO 1 INCH CAN BE EXPECTED.EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLASH FLOODING OF SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS…URBAN AREAS…HIGHWAYS…STREETS…UNDERPASSES AND OTHER DRAINAGE AREAS AND LOW LYING SPOTS.
Rain began falling hard in Reston about 2 p.m. and could continue through most of the afternoon and evening.
The National Weather Service says rainfall rates of “up to two inches per hour” may cause flash flooding in some already-saturated areas.
The NWS has issued a Severe Storm Watch for most of the Washington, D.C., area through 9 p.m.
Fairfax County and most neighboring areas are also under a Flash Flood Watch until 10 p.m. tonight.
From NWS:
TROPICAL MOISTURE WILL REMAIN OVER THE AREA THIS EVENING. AFTER A COUPLE OF PREVIOUS OF HEAVY SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY…ONLY ONE TO TWO INCHES OF ADDITIONAL RAINFALL WILL BE NEEDED IN TARGETED AREAS TO PRODUCE FLASH FLOODING. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY EARLY THIS EVENING ACROSS THE AREA…ESPECIALLY EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE TO THE CHESAPEAKE BAY.
RAINFALL RATES IN HEAVIER SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAY EXCEED 2 INCHES PER HOUR IN TARGETED AREAS THAT RECEIVE TORRENTIAL RAIN FOR LONGER THAN 30 MINUTES.
FLASH FLOODING MAY BEGIN QUICKLY. BE AWARE OF LOW AREAS THAT MAY FLOOD. NEVER CROSS ROADS THAT ARE FLOODED. TURN AROUND DON’T DROWN. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING.
Photo: Reston Now file by Bahmad Farzad
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia for Wednesday.
With high humidity and temperatures expected to reach the upper 90s this afternoon, forecasters are warning those spending time outside or in a building without air conditioning to expect an elevated risk of heat-related illnesses as the heat index will make it feel like it is more than 100 degrees.
From the National Weather Service:
… HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON HAS ISSUED A HEAT ADVISORY… WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING.
* HEAT INDEX VALUES… AROUND 105 DEGREES WITH TEMPERATURES IN THE MID TO UPPER 90S… AND DEWPOINTS IN THE LOW TO MID 70S.
* IMPACTS… RISK OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS FOR THOSE WITHOUT AIR- CONDITIONING OR THOSE OUTDOORS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A HEAT ADVISORY MEANS THAT A PERIOD OF HIGH TEMPERATURES IS EXPECTED. THE COMBINATION OF HIGH TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL CREATE A SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE.
TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN POSSIBLE… RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER.
TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK… THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY – CALL 9 1 1.
(Update: 6:22 p.m.)- The National Weather Service has now issued a tornado watch for Northern Virginia until 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Be prepared for some rough weather Wednesday evening.
The National Weather Service says Fairfax County and all of Northern Virginia is under the threat of severe thunderstorms, with lightning, hail and the potential for tornadoes.
The worst of it will come through from 4 to 8 p.m., just in time for rush hour, so plan accordingly.
From the NWS:
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING ALONG WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR ISOLATED TORNADOES… WITH TEMPERATURES REACHING THE MID-TO-UPPER 80S WITHIN AND SOUTH OF THE WASHINGTON DC METROPOLITAN AREA..
THE REGION IS UNDER THE THREAT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. SOME OF THESE STORMS WILL LIKELY CONTAIN DAMAGING WIND…FREQUENT CLOUD- TO-GROUND LIGHTNING… AND LARGE HAIL. ADDITIONALLY…TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE IN A FEW OF THE STRONGEST THUNDERSTORMS.
THE MOST LIKELY TIME FOR SEVERE WEATHER IS BETWEEN 400 PM AND 800 PM EDT. THE AREA MOST VULNERABLE FOR SEVERE WEATHER IS NORTH OF INTERSTATE 64 ACROSS VIRGINIA`S NORTH-CENTRAL PIEDMONT AND WEST OF INTERSTATE 95 SOUTH OF THE CITY OF BALTIMORE MARYLAND TO FREDERICKSBURG VIRGINIA. THIS INCLUDES THE GREATER WASHINGTON DC AND BALTIMORE METROPOLITAN AREAS…HAGERSTOWN MARYLAND…THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL SHENANDOAH VALLEY…AND CHARLOTTESVILLE VIRGINIA. RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO THIS REGION…ALONG WITH MARINERS ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER…SHOULD HAVE AN INCREASED AWARENESS OF THE THREAT OF HAZARDOUS WEATHER THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
IF A SEVERE WEATHER WARNING IS ISSUED…SEEK SHELTER INDOORS IMMEDIATELY…PREFERABLY IN A BASEMENT OR THE LOWEST LEVEL OF A STURDY BUILDING. IF YOU ARE IN A BOAT…SEEK SAFE HARBOR IMMEDIATELY.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Northern Virginia this afternoon and evening through 10 p.m.
A severe thunderstorm watch means conditions are favorable for severe storms.
From NWS:
DAMAGING THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. RESIDENTS IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA…NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MARYLAND…AND THE EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA PANHANDLE SHOULD MONITOR THIS SITUATION VERY CLOSELY AND ENSURE YOUR NOAA WEATHER RADIOS ARE SET TO ALERT MODE. SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS MAY BECOME NECESSARY.
HERE ARE SOME SAFETY RULES TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN SEVERE WEATHER IS EXPECTED OR IS OCCURRING.
IF A WARNING IS ISSUED…SEEK SHELTER INDOORS IMMEDIATELY. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM IS DEFINED AS PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE OR GREATER HAIL AND WIND GUSTS OF 58 MPH OR MORE.
TORNADOES OFTEN FORM VERY RAPIDLY FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. IF YOU ARE IN A TORNADO WATCH…AND A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA…MONITOR LOCAL CONDITIONS CLOSELY AND BE READY TO TAKE QUICK ACTION TO SAVE YOUR LIFE.
STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO…COMMERCIAL RADIO OR TELEVISION FOR THE LATEST ON THIS POTENTIAL SEVERE WEATHER EVENT. ADDITIONAL WEATHER INFORMATION…CAN BE FOUND AT WEATHER.GOV/WASHINGTON OR WEATHER.GOV/BALTIMORE.
(Update, 3 p.m. Friday)
Fairfax County Police say that Hunter Mill Road between Hunter Station and Lawyers Roads will be closed for several days as flood waters have damaged the road.
Earlier, county officials said there were 10 water rescues on Friday as people tried to drive through standing water.
(Original story, 8 a.m. Friday)
Close to three inches of rain fell overnight in the Reston area, and a flash flood warning remains in effect for until 10:15 a.m. Friday.
The National Weather Service says streams are rising extremely rapidly from the rain.
As of 7:30 a.m., the following area roads have closures, according to Fairfax County:
11400 South Lakes Drive (tree down)
Flooding:
- Hunter Mill Road between Hunter Station and Cedar Pond
- Browns Mill Road between Rosewood Hill and Windstone Drive
- Leigh Mill Rd at Kelso Road
- Shaker Drive near Wiehle Avenue
- 675 Utterback Store Road
- Beach Mill Road at Olympia
- Walker Road/Manning Street
- Leesburg Pike/Colvin Run Road
See full list of closures on Fairfax County’s blog.
Photo courtesy Fairfax County
This story will be updated as weather news occurs.
(Updated, 2:12 p.m.) — The National Weather Service has extended the flash flood watch until 4:15 pm. and a flood warning until 9 p.m.
More flooding: Hunter Mill between Hunter Station and Cobble Pond now closed. Lawyers at Hunter Mill closed again.
The NWS says two to four inches of rain have already fallen in the area and more rain will continue to fall throughout the afternoon.
(Updated, 11:19 a.m.) Fairfax County Police say Lawyers Road near Hunter Mill has been reopened as of 11:15 am.
The National Weather Service in Sterling has issued a flood warning for urban areas and small streams in Fairfax County and most of the metro Washington, D.C. area.
A flood warning means floods have been reported or are imminent. The warning is in effect until 3 p.m.
As of 9 a.m., radar indicted that one inch of rain had fallen in the area in the last two hours. Similar rainfall rates are expected for the next several hours, which may cause streams to rise out of their banks and cause flooding, the NWS says.
As of 10 a.m., two roads in the Reston area were reported closed due to flooding: the 2800 block of Fox Mill Road (near Crossfield Elementary School) and Lawyers Road east of Hunter Mill Road.
Fairfax County Police are reminding motorists that most flood deaths occur in automobiles. Never drive into areas where the water covers the roadway as flood waters are usually deeper than they appear.
This story will be updated with more weather alerts as they happen.
Photo: High water by shores of Cameron Pond in Reston/Credit: Kaitlin Franks via Facebook
