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Fairfax County faces another stretch of hazardous conditions after snow and sleet hardened into ice, prompting a Cold Weather Advisory and continued warnings to avoid unnecessary travel.
The advisory will run from 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, until 11 a.m. Tuesday. Wind chills could fall to between 5 and 8 degrees below zero across the region, creating a risk of hypothermia without proper precautions.
Temperatures could remain below freezing through the rest of the week, with Wednesday’s high expected to reach only 24 degrees. Additional cold-weather alerts may be issued as an Arctic air mass remains over the area.
Residents are advised to limit time outdoors, dress in layers, wear hats and gloves, and check on neighbors and pets. Animals should be kept indoors when possible, while outdoor animals need warm, dry shelter along with food and unfrozen water.
Ice keeps roads treacherous
Frigid temperatures turned much of the snow and sleet from Winter Storm Fern into ice overnight. Fairfax County and Virginia officials are asking residents to remain off the roads when possible so plows can operate without traffic compacting snow and ice onto pavement.
Because the storm requires specialized equipment to clear subdivision streets, county officials said crews could need several days to make every neighborhood road passable.
The Virginia Department of Transportation maintains most roads in Fairfax County and offers near-real-time plow tracking online. Snow removal on private streets is handled by property management companies or homeowners’ associations.
Homeowners are expected to clear sidewalks bordering their properties. The county is also encouraging residents to uncover nearby fire hydrants, bus stops, storm drains, accessible parking spaces, bike trails and paths serving schools and community buildings.
When shoveling, residents should push snow instead of lifting it when possible and take frequent breaks. People with a history of heart disease should consult a doctor before shoveling. Anyone experiencing chest discomfort should call or text 911 immediately.
Virginia State Police had responded to 475 crashes statewide by 11 a.m. Monday after snow began falling late Saturday, Jan. 24. Northern Virginia accounted for 56 crashes, including four that caused injuries.
One fatal crash in Northern Virginia was determined to have occurred before the storm. Another fatal collision happened Sunday night in Pittsylvania County. Both remained under investigation.
Transit and public facilities remain disrupted
Fairfax Connector and Fairfax City’s CUE Bus suspended service Monday for a second consecutive day.
As of 10 a.m., Metro was running only four bus routes—three in Washington, D.C., and one in Maryland—to provide access to hospitals and other life-sustaining facilities. Additional routes could return as roads are cleared and drivers become available.
Metrorail continued operating, but trains were arriving only every 30 minutes. Metro canceled scheduled track work Monday night as crews worked to increase service safely.
Fairfax County Public Schools closed for a snow day, while most county facilities—including libraries, parks, health centers and community centers—were also shuttered.
Inova hospitals and urgent care centers were open as of 9 a.m., but outpatient offices were closed to in-person visits. Primary and specialty care appointments were being converted to virtual visits when possible or rescheduled. Several specialty facilities, including physical therapy centers and outpatient cancer locations, were closed for the day.
George Mason University canceled all in-person classes and events and closed administrative offices across its campuses Monday.
Most storm-related outages restored
Lower-than-forecast ice accumulation helped limit power failures. At 10:50 a.m. Monday, about 13 Fairfax County customers remained without electricity because of scattered outages in Reston, Fair Oaks and Great Falls.
Approximately 48,000 Dominion Energy customers lost power during the storm Sunday and overnight, and more than 85% had service restored by Monday.
Further outages remained possible as wind gusts and accumulated ice placed additional strain on trees. Icy roads and fallen trees could also delay repair crews.
Residents should stay at least 30 feet from downed poles or wires, which may still be energized, and report them to Dominion Energy at 866-DOM-HELP. The utility said it had prepared its system for increased electricity demand during the prolonged cold.