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Monday, March 25, 2013

Snow Delays and Cancelations in Fairfax County

Public school students are on spring break, but other programs and offices are affected by this rare, late-March snowstorm.

Fairfax County Public Schools students are on spring break—it just doesn't look very springlike this morning. Fairfax County government offices are opening on time this morning.  FCPS programs and activities that do operate during spring break are operating on a two-hour delay. School Age Child Care (SACC) centers opened at 7:15 a.m. Adult and community education classes are starting on time Monday. Many main roads are mostly just wet now, but side roads are slushy or snowy; please use caution while driving. The snow is expected to mix with rain later on Monday before switching back to snow showers in the afternoon and evening. Precipitation should end late Monday night. More information is always available through Fairfax County's …

Snow Poll: Should the Federal Government have Opened Late Monday?

Many school districts are on spring break or closed today due to snow, but federal workers had to report to work on time Monday.

A rare late March snowstorm across the DC area dumped 1 to 4 inches (and counting) of snow across the region late Sunday night and Monday morning, leaving snow covered roadways and a winter scene five days after the start of Spring. Snow was expected to continue for several hours Monday morning, though it would have an increasingly difficult time sticking to the ground as temperatures rose. By noon, forecasters said some rain would mix in with the snow before turning back to snow showers Monday evening. Most students in the region were already taking the day off for spring break — including Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun counties. DC Public Schools opened on time. Several private schools in the area had delays …

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Brad L

9:28 am on Wednesday, March 27, 2013

RJ, if people don't work for two hours that means two hours of work is not getting done correct? That's a waste of money and lowers productivity. It's paying someone for doing nothing.   more ›

Monday, March 18, 2013

This Week's Weather: Chance for Wintry Mix Monday, Clearing Midweek

Forecast Monday calls for snow before noon, then rain, snow and sleet likely.

It's still officially winter and Mother Nature might deliver a reminder on Monday, according to the National Weather Service forecast. Expect a rocky start to the week with a possible wintry mix of snow, sleet or rain Monday that could make for longer commutes. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Fairfax County that started Sunday at midnight and continues Monday until 2 p.m. Here's what the National Weather Service says to expect: Monday: Snow before noon, then rain, snow, and sleet likely. High near 40. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow and sleet accumulation of about an inch possible. The Capital Weather Gang says: "An early- to mid-morning wintry mix (60 percent …

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

City of Fairfax Offices Close Due to Snowstorm

City offices closed at noon today.

City of Fairfax government offices announced they would close at noon today due to the snowstorm. Fairfax is expected to get an additional 3-5 inches of snow today. The closure includes the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, Green Acres, Sherwood Center, Young at Heart Senior Center, and Blenheim, which will not open during its regular hours.  CUE Bus is scheduled to provide regular service, but riders can call 703-385-7859 for more information.  Yard waste scheduled for collection today will be collected as soon as possible tomorrow. Residents can call 703-385-7837 for more information.  To check hours for the General District Court, call 703-385-7865.  The City of Fairfax website will be updated with new information as needed throughout …

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Dominion Power Prepares for Winter Storm Outages

Crew and trucks are ready to respond to calls throughout the storm heading toward the Northern Virginia area.

Dominion Virginia Power is expecting power outages considering the nature of the incoming storm. They've prepared their trucks and crews to service problem areas, said Le-Ha Anderson, manager for media and community relations, in a recent email to Patch. The Winter Storm Watch from the National Weather Service predicts "more than 5 inches possible with the potential for more than a foot somewhere within the watch area." Wet, heavy snow can weigh down tree limbs which can possibly make contact with power lines and cause power outages, Anderson explained. Dominion customers are encouraged to contact Dominion immediately at 1-866-DOM-HELP if they witness trees on power lines or leaning toward power lines. Anderson said it's best to stay away …

Virginia Snow Storm: Traffic, Closings in Fairfax

Watch this live radar of the Northern Virginia snowstorm. Patch will keep you updated about delays and closings Wednesday.

Update - 3/6, 6:10 a.m.: All Fairfax County Public Schools are closed and after-school events and activities are canceled.  Federal government offices are closed, while Fairfax County's government offices are open with unscheduled leave allowed. Employees should use their best judgement when deciding whether or not to report to work. Fairfax County's courts are closed and the Fairfax Connector is operating on a Sunday schedule today.  City of Fairfax government offices will open on time today with liberal leave in effect for city employees. CUE Bus will operate on a normal schedule and trash and recycling will be collected as scheduled. Visit the City of Fairfax's website for more information on other city government closures.  Fairfax …

FairfaxDewey

4:45 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Play it forward ... no snow. Maybe in Chicago, but not here.   more ›

Preparing for a Winter Storm in Fairfax City

Fairfax City is under a winter storm watch for Tuesday through Wednesday. Here's how to stay warm and dry, even if you lose power.

With Fairfax City and much of the surrounding region under a winter storm watch and snow possible from Tuesday evening through Wednesday evening, here are some things you need to know: Much more information about emergency preparedness is available at www.vaemergency.gov/ReadyVirginia and on Fairfax County's emergency blog. Also stay tuned to the City of Fairfax website for snow-related updates.   Here are some tips to take into consideration before Tuesday night: If you have a generator, make sure it is working properly and you understand how to use it safely. Do not use a generator indoors. When was the last time your chimney was cleaned or inspected? If you aren’t sure or can’t remember ever having it done, think twice before you build …

Driving Tips for Snowy Weather

With an increasing chance of snow this week, here's how to avoid skidding and slipping while driving around Fairfax in the snow.

While slip-sliding cars on snowy roads can make for interesting (cringe-inducing) YouTube videos, you never want to be driving one of those cars. Here in Fairfax City, Rt. 123 can be expected to be slow and congested in areas. What other areas do you think are tricky in winter? Tell us in the comments. Here are tips on how to drive safely on snowy and icy roads: Have an emergency kit and good supplies. In the winter months, AAA recommends that you keep the following items in your vehicle: Plan your route. If your normal route to the store or work involves curvy, windy roads and sidestreets, you may want to change your route if possible to use more main roads that are flat and straight.  Leave room. It can take a driver twice as long (and …

Monday, March 4, 2013

This Week's Weather: Chance of 'Snowquester' Midweek?

Week will start out sunny, 45 degrees.

A sunny start to the week could turn quite wintry by midweek in Northern Virginia, according to the National Weather Service. The Capital Weather Gang predicts a 70 percent chance of 1 inch of snow Tuesday night into Wednesday night, a 45 percent chance of 5 inches or more and a 10 percent chance of 10 inches or more. A Capital Weather Gang reader suggested the name "Snowquester" for the possible midweek winter storm, in honor of the financial sequester that has hit the federal government. The week starts out sunny though, with Monday expecting to see a high of 45 degrees and clear skies, according to NWS. Tuesday starts off with a 30 percent chance of rain, with a high of 45 degrees. Chances for precipitation increase throughout the day …

Cookie

3:56 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013

I don't look forward to this event. 2010 brought down many powerlines in Mt. Vernon. No power for 4 days. As soon as the snowplow made a swipe we headed to the nearest hotel suffering from extreme exhaustion. We shoveled a path to our SUV and cleared around it and stayed inside to keep warm with a full tank of gas for 3 days. We were outside basically the entire time during this event. We saw all…   more ›

Thursday, February 7, 2013

DC Metro Weather: Has This Winter Been Boring?

As Boston and the rest of New England gears up for a major blizzard this weekend, DC is keeping it relatively mild and calm.

A snowstorm being described as “epic,” “record-breaking” and “potentially historic” will bear down on southern New England Friday and into the weekend, dumping two feet or more of snow there along with high winds. This weekend, the D.C. metro area basically will keep its status quo—temperatures in the 40s with periodic clouds and rain. Has the D.C. metro area’s winter been boring so far? January 2013 temperatures were about 4 degrees warmer than average. This winter’s snowfall has been less than average. In January, the DC metro area received 3 inches of snow. February has brought just a few dustings. There has been a little bit more to the north and west in both months. The average snowfall for our area in January (from 1981 to 2010) was …

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Carol Lewis

8:54 am on Friday, February 8, 2013

Geeze, Christine, have you not been here in the spring when the azaleas and cherry trees and dogwoods are blooming?! It's gorgeous. I think "looking like hell on earth" is a bit of an overstatement. We've had some lovely clear, cold, winter days this year. I'd rather have a boring winter than have to deal with a lot of snow but then, I'm an old lady with an old dog and we don't do well in snowy …   more ›

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