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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

Your Photos: Snow Comes To Oakton

What does the Northern Virginia "snowquester" look like in your yard? Share your snow pictures with Patch.

It may have taken until March, but Oakton finally saw the beginning of what is likely to be its first significant snowfall Wednesday morning. The Capital Weather Gang was forecasting 6 to 12 inches outside the Beltway, and 3 to 8 inches inside of it. Oakton is pretty close to that dividing line, so it's hard to tell just how much snow it will see.  For all snow updates, read: Virginia Snow Storm: Traffic, Closings in Oakton. But any amount of snow is probably enough for the kids and pets, who have barely seen snowfall this season.  So grab your camera for some winter fun. Click on "Upload Photos and Video" to share your adventures in the snow on Patch. We got you started with a couple great photos from Max Steinmetz from a 2011 snow storm…

Martha Boltz

5:26 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Be nice if you told some of us how to do it..........   more ›

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 …

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 ›

Monday, February 4, 2013

Light Snowfall Possible Monday, Tuesday Nights

Temperatures will warm up into 40s by Wednesday.

The big chill in Northern Virginia continues through Tuesday night with highs in the 30s on Monday and Tuesday. Expect cloudy skies during the days and a possiblity for snow flurries Monday and Tuesday nights, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures will feel much colder Monday. Wind gusts up to 25 mph will continue through Monday afternoon. As a result of the wind, the National Weather Service has issued a Small Craft Advisory until 3 p.m. Monday that includes the Potomac River. This means that wind speeds of 18 to 33 knots are expected to produce hazardous wave conditions for small craft. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid boating in these conditions. Here are the daily …

Monica Wright

6:07 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013

I had my snow for the season when I was central pa for Christmas for almost two weeks, we had a foot, I even said to my sister and I am retiring back here in a few years.   more ›

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Fairfax County Public Schools Opening 2 Hours Late

Overnight snow showers make for slick roads.

Fairfax County Public Schools are opening on a two-hour delay this morning due to snow that fell overnight. According to the FCPS website this morning:  Federal employees have the option for unscheduled telework or unscheduled leave today. Falls Church City Public Schools are operating on a normal schedule, according to the school district's twitter account.  Snow showers began after midnight Thursday and continued on and off throughout the night. The sun is expected to peek out by 10 a.m. with temperatures rising to 29 this afternoon. Winds will come from the northwest, bringing the wind chill down into the teens all day. Check here for winter weather driving tips before you hit the roads this morning.

Molly Worker

6:31 am on Friday, January 25, 2013

I have lived in Ottawa, Canada and Madison, WI. Definitely those areas are much colder and people more experienced with winter driving etc. HOWEVER, Greater Washington DC area has unexpected hills and valleys and unpredictable weather patterns--but most of all many conscientious road users hampered by many non-caring drivers who at times seem not to have had proper U.S. drivers' training. Add to …   more ›

Friday, December 28, 2012

Snow Headed Toward Northern Virginia Saturday

An inch or two may accumulate before snow turns to rain Saturday.

Northern Virginia will see snow for the second time in less than a week Saturday morning as a storm system moves through the area. An inch or two of snow may accumulate Saturday, particularly north and west of DC. On Friday night, temperatures will drop to near freezing with precipitation starting after midnight to the north and west, but beginning closer to dawn south and east of DC. Temperatures Saturday will struggle to reach 40 degrees as snow turns to a wintry mix during the day. In some areas, the snow may turn to rain. The storm system is expected to move out of the area by mid-afternoon Saturday, leaving sunny skies and cold weather in its place. Temperatures Saturday night will drop into the upper 20s. Sunday will be sunny and …

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