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Fairfax County facilities and school activities will shut down Saturday evening as a powerful winter storm threatens to bury the region in snow and sleet, coat roads and power lines with ice, and disrupt travel into Monday.
All county government facilities will close at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, and remain closed through Sunday, Jan. 25. The closures cover libraries, parks, community and recreation centers, programs, and other government operations.
Most county employees will receive emergency administrative leave during the shutdown. Designated emergency workers, including police and other public safety personnel, will remain on duty.
The Reston Community Center canceled programs and rentals scheduled after 5 p.m. Saturday through Sunday. Officials said make-up classes will be arranged when possible, but cancellation fees will not be refunded.
The McLean Community Center will close at 8 p.m. Saturday. It plans to post further updates, including any decision about Monday operations, on its website.
The county’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services also plans to close the I-66 Transfer Station at 4618 West Ox Road to solid-waste disposal on Monday, Jan. 26. Operations are expected to resume Tuesday, depending on snow removal, ice and other conditions at the site.
To compensate for the closure, the station will extend its hours for waste collectors until 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31.
Heavy snow, ice and dangerous cold expected
A Winter Storm Warning calls for 7 to 14 inches of snow and sleet across the Washington region between 11 p.m. Saturday and 4 a.m. Monday. Forecasters also expect roughly one- to two-tenths of an inch of ice accumulation.
The ice could damage trees and cause power outages, while travel may become nearly impossible. Hazardous conditions could linger into the Monday morning commute.
A Cold Weather Advisory was extended until noon Saturday for Washington and portions of Maryland and Virginia. Wind chills could reach 5 degrees below zero, creating a risk of hypothermia during prolonged exposure.
Residents venturing outside were urged to wear appropriate clothing, hats and gloves. County fire and rescue officials also recommended using safe heating methods and allowing faucets to drip slightly during extreme cold to help prevent frozen pipes.
Hypothermia shelters will remain available
Fairfax County’s hypothermia prevention program is exempt from the government closures. The seasonal program, which operates from Dec. 1 through March 31, provides overnight shelter for adults at permanent county shelters and rotating locations hosted by faith communities.
Residents concerned about an unsheltered person who may be at risk of hypothermia can request a wellness check through the county police non-emergency number at 703-691-2131, TTY 711. Anyone who appears to be in immediate distress should be reported to 911.
School activities canceled through Sunday
Fairfax County Public Schools canceled all activities in school buildings and on school grounds beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday and continuing through Sunday.
The cancellation includes extracurricular activities, athletic contests, team practices, field trips, professional training, Adult and Community Education classes, recreation programs and use of school facilities by outside organizations.
The school system expects to decide Sunday whether Monday classes will be delayed or canceled.
Any snow day would further shorten the coming school week. Students are already scheduled for a two-hour early dismissal Wednesday, Jan. 28, marking the end of the third quarter. Thursday and Friday are student holidays and staff development and planning days.