Winter Storm Warning in Effect, Gov. Declares Emergency as Snow Starts Accumulating

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency tonight (Saturday) as this weekend’s winter storm got underway.

The storm is expected to drop 6-12 inches of snow on Fairfax County over the next 24 hours or so.

Snow is now accumulating on local yards, parking lots and side roads throughout the county. A Winter Storm Warning, meanwhile, is in effect through Sunday evening.

From the National Weather Service:

…WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST SUNDAY… * WHAT…HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 5 TO 10 INCHES EXPECTED. * WHERE…THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PORTIONS OF CENTRAL MARYLAND AND NORTHERN AND NORTHWEST VIRGINIA. * WHEN…UNTIL 6 PM EST SUNDAY. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS…TRAVEL COULD BE VERY DIFFICULT DUE TO SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY ROADS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL, KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT, FOOD AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. THE LATEST ROAD CONDITIONS FOR THE STATE YOU ARE CALLING FROM CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING 5 1 1. &&

VDOT, which is responsible for clearing snow from roads in Fairfax County — except for those that are privately owned — is urging residents to remain inside during the storm if at all possible.

More from social media:

Friends, if you’re out and about, please finish up whatever you’re doing. We’d like you off the roads during the height of the storm. We continue to load and deploy trucks and are prepared for some unpleasant driving conditions later. pic.twitter.com/X9MvSXfktH

— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) January 12, 2019

Who Does What: Snow Removal. A handy reminder as we go into our first snow of 2019 pic.twitter.com/fgGYmI1Xxt

— Fairfax County Government (@fairfaxcounty) January 12, 2019

Expected #snow totals have increased. We urge our community members to please stay home and allow #VaDOTNOVA to work on clearing the roadways. Tips for driving in #inclementweather, visit this link: https://t.co/EIBLpDcGf8 #FairfaxCounty #FCPD ❄️🚗 pic.twitter.com/e9QNp5k1BS

— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) January 12, 2019

Here we go! First snow of 2019! Our crews are ready for the Winter Storm Warning. Have you checked on neighbors in need? Plan to clear the fire hydrant by your house? Staying off the roads? Stay safe and warm!! pic.twitter.com/V6TNUTvhaC

— City of Falls Church (@FallsChurchGov) January 13, 2019

Love walking in the snow – McLean @capitalweather pic.twitter.com/ltyIe3ppyA

— B (@blb99) January 13, 2019