Public schools in Fairfax County are open today (Monday). But a lot of people on social media think they shouldn’t be.
With snow and icy rain last night and this morning, several counties, including Prince William and Loudoun, in the D.C. area have closed or delayed start times today for their public schools.
FCPS announced shortly before 5 a.m. on Twitter their schools would be open and start on time today. By 9 a.m. more than 4,000 tweets were using #closefcps and the hashtag was trending in the U.S. on Twitter.
As of 9 a.m. today, #closefcps is trending on Twitter with more than 4,000 tweets pic.twitter.com/72ivY045kT
— Catherine D Moran (@c_douglasmoran) December 16, 2019
Reston Now spotted many memes, frustration about FCPS not closing and elation over the hashtag’s popularity among the #closefcps tweets.
Let us know what you think about FCPS staying open today.
Hat tip to Kalina Newman
Tomorrow is the first day of March, yet wintry weather is making a comeback to the D.C. area as spring nears.
Locals in Reston and Herndon can expect 1 to 3 inches of snow and sleet later tonight and tomorrow morning.
The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory that will last until 10 a.m. tomorrow.
More from NWS:
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST FRIDAY…
* WHAT…Snow and sleet expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations of 1 to 3 inches expected.
* WHERE…The District of Columbia, portions of central and southern Maryland and northern and northwest Virginia.
* WHEN…From 10 PM this evening to 10 AM EST Friday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning commute.
The Virginia Department of Transportation said in a snow update this afternoon that crews are pretreated roads throughout northern Virginia and will have crews staged along roads tonight.
VDOT asks that drivers to prepare ahead for impacts to the morning rush hour and to closely monitor the weather.
Here are some additional details for the expected winter weather moving into our region tonight into Friday morning. pic.twitter.com/ecluXqXZv8
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) February 28, 2019
Photo via @billwhe67/Twitter
After bouts of snow hit Reston last month, the winter weather is finally on a vacation.
Forecasters expect temperatures to possibly reach 60 degrees for today (Feb. 5), Thursday and Friday in the Reston area.
The warmer weather doesn’t plan to stick around, though.
The Capital Weather Gang tweeted that snow might make a comeback in the D.C.-area on Sunday night. (And while the famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring on Feb. 2, meteorologists and statisticians point to his track record of inaccuracies.)
Let us know if your weekday plans are influenced by the forecasts.
File photo
Updated at 6:55 a.m. — FCPS will be closed Friday.
Fairfax County Public Schools announced the closures this morning. School offices and central offices will open two hours late.
All Fairfax County public schools will be closed today, Feb. 1, 2019. School offices and central offices will open 2 hours late, to be opened by 10 a.m. (Condition 5) with an unscheduled leave policy in effect for 12-month employees.
— Fairfax Schools (@fcpsnews) February 1, 2019
6:51 am: Snow continues to develop locally. A new batch forming right over the city lately.
It may take a while to reach the ground thanks to dry air but it’ll stick immediately once it does. Take it slow out there! pic.twitter.com/nyPAVC9owc
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) February 1, 2019
Earlier: Fairfax County Public Schools are taking no chances amid forecasts calling for a burst of snow during the Friday morning commute.
FCPS will open two hours late tomorrow, the school system announced Thursday night.
Due to the winter weather advisory in effect tomorrow, all Fairfax County public schools and school offices will open two hours late Friday, Feb. 1, 2019 (Condition 3A). Central offices will open by 10:00 a.m.
— Fairfax Schools (@fcpsnews) January 31, 2019
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the area.
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 3 PM EST FRIDAY… * WHAT…SNOW IS LIKELY. SNOW ACCUMULATION LESS THAN ONE INCH. THE BEST CHANCE FOR SNOW WILL BE BETWEEN 7 AM AND NOON FRIDAY. * WHERE…THE WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA. * WHEN…FROM 6 AM TO 3 PM EST FRIDAY. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS…WITH SURFACE TEMPERATURES WELL BELOW FREEZING FRIDAY MORNING, EVEN MINOR ACCUMULATIONS OF SNOW COULD CAUSE UNTREATED ROADS TO BECOME ICY. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… DRIVERS SHOULD PREPARE FOR ICY TRAVEL FRIDAY MORNING, AND PLAN FOR EXTRA TIME TO TRAVEL. WHILE IT IS NOT CERTAIN THAT SNOW ACCUMULATION AND ICY TRAVEL WILL DEVELOP AT THIS TIME, THE POTENTIAL THREAT IS THERE. PLAN AHEAD. THE LATEST ROAD CONDITIONS FOR THE STATE YOU ARE CALLING FROM CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING 5 1 1. &&
VDOT is asking drivers to proceed with caution Friday morning.
VDOT asks that drivers be alert to potential wintry weather that may impact commutes Friday morning. Light snow and extremely low temperatures may cause icy conditions.
Crews continue working overnight to treat roads for refreeze from earlier this week, and will also be staged tomorrow morning to treat roads for more light snow.
Photo by Twitter user @MrErrett
With an inch of snow anticipated tonight and tomorrow, activities at Fairfax County public schools or on school grounds are canceled for this afternoon and evening.
FCPS wrote in a tweet today (Jan. 17) that the “expected wintry weather in our area tonight” prompted the decision.
The School Age Child Care Program will remain open until 6:15 p.m. tonight.
Due to the expected wintry weather in our area later today, all activities scheduled in Fairfax County public schools or on school grounds for this afternoon and evening, Jan. 17, are canceled (Cond 6) https://t.co/zNBBMkehnZ
SACC centers will remain open until 6:15 p.m.— Fairfax Schools (@fcpsnews) January 17, 2019
File photo
County officials are cautioning against driving today as the heaviest period of snow sweep through the area this afternoon.
About four inches have piled up in Reston, according to measurements from Reston Now readers. Snow is expected to continue into the evening, with light accumulation expected.
Mass transit is operating at reduced service levels. WMATA is running on a severe snow plan, which means major systemwide delays. Metroraill will operate on a modified schedule, with trains running every 12 to 15 minutes on all lines.
If you’re planning to shovel out before freezing temperatures hit, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Departments encourages individuals to “take it slow.”
“It is important to consider your physical limitations. Wear weather appropriate gear to keep you warm. Only shovel snow if you are physically able to do so. This snow is a wet and heavy type of snow,” the department cautioned.
Here’s more from social media:
Stay home if you can. The roads are very slippery and driving conditions are bad. To those on the road for work reasons, we are with you and here if you need us! pic.twitter.com/3KdBfAOOni
— Fairfax County Police (@fairfaxpolice) March 21, 2018
VSP Troopers have responded to 250 crashes across #Virginia since midnight. Delay travel or end up like this driver…stuck on I-66 in Fairfax Co in #NorthernVA. https://t.co/oUYbn0cLC8 for road conditions. @VaDOTNOVA pic.twitter.com/J2FoktpULZ
— VA State Police (@VSPPIO) March 21, 2018
Help #FCFRD Access Nearest Fire Hydrant In An Emergency! All residents, who are physically able to do so, are asked to keep the nearest fire hydrant accessible and free of snow and ice. More: https://t.co/y6qPPeWQi4 #ffxstorm #adoptahydrant pic.twitter.com/MBcjAsyV2a
— Fairfax Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) March 21, 2018
Photos submitted by Michael Piper, Robbie Nolan, Betty Bley, Angelika Stadel and Douglass Errett
A light layer of snow in the morning, which greeted some with disappointment today, will likely become thicker, forecasters say.
A blend of snow, sleet and freezing drizzle is expected to transform into snow later today. A blanket of three to seven inches is possible, with a high near 33 and a low of 27. Snow is expected to taper off before 11 p.m. Tomorrow’s partly sunny conditions may melt some snow away.
Local county entities are taking no chances on the snow despite a slow start this morning. Fairfax County Public Schools and Fairfax County government offices are closed today.
Here’s a roundup of other snow-related closures:
- Reston Community Center – closed
- Reston Association – closed
- Fairfax County Circuit Court – closed
- Fairfax County Circuit Court
- The Walker Nature Center – closed
- Reston Regional Library – pending
- Metro – operating on modified schedule
- Fairfax Connector – operating on Saturday service schedules
6:00 AM: A band of heavy snow is lifting northeast that will quickly make travel hazardous. Temperatures are below freezing in most locations, so exercise caution even if precipitation is light. pic.twitter.com/yWoXFqzqYG
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) March 21, 2018
This post will be updated.
The D.C. area will be under a Winter Storm Warning from tonight through Wednesday night.
Between four and eight inches of snow is expected in the region. Local snow accumulation may be lower.
Fairfax County Public Schools has canceled all afternoon and evening activities on school campuses. A decision on tomorrow’s possible closure is expected by 9 p.m. today.
Forecasters encouraged residents to be wary of difficult travel conditions and limited visibility. If travel is mandatory, drivers are encouraged to keep an extra flashlight, food and water in the vehicle incase of an emergency, according to the National Weather Service.
NEW/BREAKING: Washington’s biggest snowstorm of the winter likely Wednesday, starting before dawn, winter storm warning issued for entire region. Details: https://t.co/NJjdPJyEfZ
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) March 20, 2018
The snow could really rip for a time in the DMV Wednesday AM to early PM. A very heavy band of snow could set up & dump somewhere – perhaps producing isolated double digit totals. Exactly where is the big question. We favor N or E of DC but moving target. https://t.co/NJjdPJyEfZ pic.twitter.com/ZSf8PyMhff
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) March 20, 2018
Photo by Twitter user @MrErrett
Fairfax County Expert Talks Coyotes — Coyotes can be found all over Fairfax County, certified wildlife specialist Katherine Edwards says in a video aiming to educate residents. Edwards says coyotes generally avoid humans, but they may prey on small domestic animals like cats and dogs. The biologist says it’s best to avoid keeping pets outdoors for long periods of time, and to keep their food indoors. [Fairfax County/YouTube]
South Lakes Sports Back in Full Swing — South Lakes High School’s winter break is over and Seahawks sports teams are back in action. This week, the basketball teams engaged in several contests with McLean High. The varsity boys team scored a 73-45 win, while the JV boys dropped a close one, 47-45. The boys freshman team also lost, 59-51. The JV girls team scored a victory, however, winning 47-36 in overtime. [South Lakes Athletics]
County Offers Tips For Winterizing Your Car — With winter weather in the forecast, Fairfax County offered tips this week for preparing your car for the cold and snow. Among them are maintaining an adequate level of antifreeze; making sure heaters, defrosters and hazard lights are in top working order; and choosing tires with good tread for navigating snowy or icy roads. [Fairfax County Emergency Information]
Is the ice on Reston’s lakes thick enough for skating and walking?
It doesn’t seem like it, at least according to a spirited debate on the Reston Now Facebook page this weekend. But that’s not stopping some folks from trying.
“I live right on Lake Anne – NOT think enough for a cat to walk on much less a 50 lb. child,” Erin wrote.
Others said the lakes are strong enough to support a snowmobile right about now.
Officially, the Reston Association policy is “no skating,” said RA CEO Cate Fulkerson. But, like many parks policies, it is difficult to enforce.
Ice should be at least four-inches thick before it can support any human activity, according to a state agency that should know such things — the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. But many factors other than thickness can play a role in safety. Those factors may include the age of the ice, sun and wind. Newly-formed, clear ice is stronger and safer than white ice or “snow ice.”
“Old rule of thumb we used to use was at least four days with below freezing temps,” Virginia wrote on Facebook. “Depended on the size of the body of water though. That seldom occurs here in Virginia.”
But even that old rule of thumb may not be enough. For four inches of ice to form, the area would need more than a week of air temperatures consistently well below freezing. Around 9 a.m. Monday, the temperature in Reston was 37 degrees and had been above freezing for several hours. The air temperature also rose above freezing last Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 19-21, according to weather reports from the National Weather Service.
Two weeks ago, a Gaithersburg boy died when he fell through the ice on a pond.
The Minnesota authorities have some advice for anyone who falls through ice and into water.
Place your forearms and hands on an unbroken ice surface and kick your legs to propel yourself up onto the ice. Try to keep your body weight as spread out as possible, so don’t use the palms of your hands to lift yourself out of the water like you would with a pool. When you’re out of the water, remain lying down and roll away toward safety instead of standing up and walking.
What are your thoughts on walking on ice on Reston’s lakes? Tell us in the comments.
Photo of frozen Lake Anne courtesy of Dave King, via Facebook.
