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Slick Roads, Snowy Scenes Around Tysons Area and Fairfax County

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Update at 4 p.m. — Fairfax County Public Schools will be closed Monday, the school system just announced.

Earlier: The snowiest D.C. area storm since 2016 is starting to wind down — though more snow is on the way and another 2-3 inches of accumulation possible.

VDOT crews have been working hard to clear roads throughout Fairfax County, but officials are still urging residents to stay home due to slick conditions.

Earlier this afternoon Virginia State Police said troopers in its Fairfax Division have responded to 34 crashes and 52 disabled vehicles since midnight. Statewide, more than 230 crashes were handled by VSP during that timeframe.

“Drivers be advised — looks can be and are deceiving!” state police said. “Highways may appear to be clear, but slick and icy conditions still exist.”

“On the second day of winter weather across northern Virginia, drivers are asked to continue to avoid unnecessary travel for crews to safely clear accumulating snow,” VDOT urged.

As of 1 p.m., just over 6 inches of snow had fallen on McLean, according to the National Weather Service.

In Tysons, NBC 4’s David Culver has been broadcasting from the parking lot of a local shopping center for most of the day.

The Vienna Community Center is closed today and “all programs, services, and rental activities for today (January 13) are cancelled,” according to the Town of Vienna.

In the City of Falls Church, a snow emergency has been declared and parking restrictions are in place.

More scenes from around the area, via social media:

https://twitter.com/tedlopat/status/1084466612042907648

https://twitter.com/rcannon100/status/1084512282934198273

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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:

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Morning Notes

VDOT Pre-Treating Roads — VDOT has been spreading brine on roads and highways in anticipation of accumulating snow this weekend. [Twitter]

Resources for Furloughed Feds — “Thousands of federal workers, contractors, vendors and service providers in our county are being impacted by the partial federal shutdown… Whether it is food, financial assistance or other needs, we can provide you with the resources to get you and your family through this difficult time.” [Fairfax County]

AT&T Offering Flexible Payment Options — “AT&T says it is offering flexible payment options to Mid-Atlantic customers affected by the government shutdown. ‘Just because the government shut down, doesn’t mean that your phone, TV, and internet should stop working too,’ the company said in an email.” [FairfaxNews]

Local Summer Camp Guide — “It’s winter, it’s cold, and the kids still have many months left in the school year. But as many parents know, this is the time of year when many families look ahead to summer months and how the kids will spend it.” [VivaTysons]

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Spotting and Preventing Hypothermia in Tysons

The Tysons area narrowly avoided snowstorms that hit much of the rest of Virginia yesterday, but cold weather still ahead could pose a threat to the local homeless population.

According to the Mayo Clinic, visible signs that someone may be experiencing hypothermia include shivering, clumsiness, or signs of confusion or memory loss. Victims of hypothermia may have slurred speech or mumble, and may exhibit shallow breathing. Drowsiness, or unconsciousness, are also associated with hypothermia.

If you see a person who may be at risk of hypothermia, Fairfax County says you should call the police non-emergency number at 703-691-2131 for them to be taken to one of the local hypothermia prevention shelters.

The Hypothermia Prevention Program is part of the county’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness. Local hypothermia shelters operate seven days a week with a no turn-away policy outside of normal operating hours, based on weather conditions and temperatures.

The closest shelter to Tysons is the Falls Church Homeless Shelter at 217 Gordon Road, which is scheduled to operate seven days a week until March 31. Doors at the shelter open at 6 p.m. and close at 8 a.m. The shelter can accommodate twelve individuals.

The shelter provides a warm bed and case management services, which includes employment and housing assistance. Hot meals, prepared by families, faith communities and local restaurants, are delivered every evening.

The next closest is the Embry Rucker Community Shelter in Reston. Hot dinner, breakfast, bagged lunches, showers, laundry, and basic self-care supplies are all made available to individuals participating in the program.

At least once a week, nurse practitioners will be visiting the hypothermia shelters to check on patients, and medical outreach workers will visit to assist with enrollment into the Community Health Care Network’s free clinic.

Photo and graphic via Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness.

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Morning Notes

Fairfax ICE Arrests Higher Than Some States — “More than 12,000 Fairfax County residents are facing deportation proceedings, surpassing the number of cases in other major localities, including Manhattan, N.Y., and Philadelphia, Pa., and even states like North Carolina and Louisiana, a new report says.” [Fairfax Times]

Officials: Avoid Va. Travel Today — If you had been planning on driving to parts of central, western or southern Virginia today, VDOT and Virginia State Police want you to consider delaying your travel due to snowy conditions. [VDOT, InsideNova]

Hedgehogs May Be Legalized in Fairfax — “Chinchillas, hedgehogs and hermit crabs are one step closer to legalized pet status in Fairfax County. The Fairfax County Planning Commission [on Thursday] approved changing the definition of commonly accepted pets to include all three.” [Reston Now]

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Snow Causes Early Morning Closures, But Streets Largely Clear in Tysons Area

Despite some early morning setbacks, traffic around Tysons seems back to normal.

While there are road closures in other parts of the county, Fairfax County Police have reported no closures in the McLean Police District. As of 10 a.m. most roads through Tysons seem to be running smoothly — all things considered.

Police have warned that crashes are on the rise throughout Fairfax. Crashes have been reported near Merrifield, causing some congestion in the westbound lanes. A crash was also reported on Dulles Toll Road around 10:10 a.m., closing the north right lane and causing some congestion.

Earlier this morning, Twitter users reported express lanes near Tysons were closed and traffic was bumper to bumper.

Others warned that snow was sticking to the Beltway. Snow plows have since been spotted on traffic cameras working their way through Tysons streets.

Photo via Fairfax Police Department

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Morning Notes

Fairfax County Schools Closed — Due to this morning’s snow and treacherous road conditions, Fairfax County Public Schools are closed for the day. [Twitter]

Fairfax Home Prices Flat — “Home sales were down slightly while average sales prices were flat in October across Fairfax County, according to new data… While sales were down, prices were effectively unchanged, with the overall sales price of $552,034 down one-third of a percentage point.” [InsideNova]

McLean Mansion for Sale — “It’s enough to appreciate the stunning architecture of this contemporary McLean home. Yet it goes above and beyond with its own sculpture garden.” [Patch]

Tysons Company Raises $100 Million — Tysons-based PFF, LLC has “closed a $100M capital raise and changed its name to Parabilis. Founded in 2013, by Dr. Edward Bersoff, the specialty financing company will continue in its mission to provide working capital funding to companies serving the U.S. Federal Government.” [BusinessWire]

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Morning Notes

Realtors Holding Clothing Drive — “McEnearney Associates is holding its fourth annual winter-clothing drive through Jan. 4. Held in partnership with United Community Ministries, donations of new or gently used winter clothing can be dropped off at either the Arlington office (4720 Lee Highway) or McLean office (1320 Old Chain Bridge Road, Suite 320) weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.” [InsideNova]

Snow on the Way — Fairfax County is expected to get its first snowfall of the season Thursday, with up to an inch of snow and sleet falling Thursday morning before changing to rain. Forecasters, meanwhile, are calling for a snowier than usual winter, with up to two feet of snow falling inside the Beltway over the course of the season. [Capital Weather Gang, Twitter, Capital Weather Gang]

Changes in County’s Recycling Program — “What happens to your recycled items these days? That’s a good question as the worldwide recycling market has changed dramatically in recent months, especially due to ‘Operation National Sword‘ in China.” [Fairfax County]

Interview With Tysons Corner Center Santa — “Santa Claus is making a list and checking it twice as he begins to set up shop at malls and shopping centers throughout the D.C. region as we countdown to Christmas. That includes the Santa Claus at Tysons Corner Center, who has been there for three decades. Many throughout the area have sat on [Santa’s] lap and are now having their children take their turn visiting him.” [Fox 5]

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Morning Notes

Vienna Buying New Snow Plow — “Winter is coming, and the Vienna Town Council on Oct. 15 voted 7-0 to ride a buy a 2-ton dump truck and snow plow from Henderson Products Inc. and National Auto Fleet Group, using the town’s vehicle-replacement funds. The vehicle and equipment will cost $144,356, or about $20,000 more than had been estimated in the town’s plan.” [InsideNova]

Tech Company Opening McLean Office — “Medallia, Inc., the global Customer Experience Management leader, has designated its office in McLean, VA as its Public Sector headquarters. The office is located just outside of Washington D.Cand houses 50 Medallia employees and growing.” [PR Newswire]

Drug Conspiracy Included Vienna Meeting — The story of a $1 million drug deal bust includes a meeting between the suspect, an informant and an undercover officer at a Vienna hotel. [Washington Post]

Bioretention Areas Proposed in Vienna — “Seeking to piggyback on the installation of ‘choker’ curb extensions to slow down traffic where Meadow Lane, S.W, intersects with Tapawingo and Kingsley roads, S.W., which they approved April 9, the Vienna Town Council on Oct. 15 agreed to pay Urban Ltd. $56,350 for survey and design work for bio-retention areas at those intersections.” [InsideNova]

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