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The McLean Chocolate Festival has been postponed as Fairfax County prepares for potentially heavy snow, ice, dangerous cold and widespread travel problems.
Originally scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 25, the festival will now return for its 14th year on Sunday, March 15. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Avenue.
Festival chair John P. McEvilly made the decision to postpone the event. Kamaraj Kalyanasundaram, the McLean Rotary Club’s public relations chair, said organizers wanted residents to remain safe this weekend while having a “sweeter” date to anticipate in March.
The festival will feature chocolate vendors, live entertainment and activities for children. The Rotary Club of McLean organizes the event as a fundraiser, with proceeds from the $3 admission charge supporting local nonprofits, student scholarships, literacy programs and other causes.
Heavy snow and ice threaten the region
The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Watch for Washington, D.C., and parts of Maryland and Virginia early Thursday, Jan. 22. The watch is in effect from 7 p.m. Saturday through 7 a.m. Monday.
Forecasters said a major winter storm could bring heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain as widespread precipitation moves over Arctic air already settled across the Mid-Atlantic.
There is a high likelihood of at least 5 inches of snow, while totals exceeding 10 inches are possible. Snow is expected to spread across the area Saturday evening and could become heavy late Saturday night, with snowfall rates reaching 1 to 2 inches per hour at times.
Sleet or freezing rain could mix in Sunday. The greatest icing threat is expected south of U.S. 50, with significant ice also possible near and east of Interstate 95. Visibility could fall to a quarter-mile or less.
Travel may become extremely difficult, and hazardous conditions could disrupt the Monday morning commute.
A prolonged cold snap is also forecast from Friday evening through the middle of next week. Wind chills are expected to fall into the teens and single digits, with below-zero readings possible at times.
Residents are being urged to obtain needed groceries and medications before the storm, refuel or charge vehicles, prepare emergency car kits and check on older relatives, friends and neighbors. Pets and livestock will also need protection during the extended cold.
Most roads in Fairfax County are cleared by the Virginia Department of Transportation. Herndon, Vienna and Fairfax City operate their own snow-removal crews.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is monitoring the forecast for possible effects at Dulles International and Reagan National airports. Authority President and CEO Jack Potter told its board that officials were watching the weekend forecast closely and would be ready.
Dominion prepares for possible multiday outages
Dominion Energy is preparing for potentially significant power outages across Virginia and North Carolina beginning Sunday afternoon.
The utility warned that heavy ice could damage trees and electrical lines. Difficult road conditions could also slow restoration work and leave some customers without power for several days as extreme cold continues after the storm.
Based on the forecast, Dominion expects the most serious icing problems in northeastern North Carolina and Virginia’s central, Southside and southeastern regions, where accumulations could exceed a quarter-inch.
Dominion is mobilizing its personnel and seeking hundreds of additional workers from contractors and utilities in other states. Restoration efforts will prioritize hospitals, schools, water-treatment plants and other essential services, along with areas where outages affect the most customers.
Customers can report outages and follow restoration updates through Dominion’s app or website, or by calling 866-DOM-HELP. Anyone who encounters a fallen utility pole or wire should report it and remain at least 30 feet away.
Residents are also advised to charge electronic devices, prepare portable batteries and stock water, nonperishable food, medications, flashlights, first-aid supplies and spare batteries. Generators should be fueled and tested before the storm, connected properly and operated outdoors with adequate ventilation.