2-4 Inches Of Snow Expected To Fall Across Fairfax City Area Overnight Thursday

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — City of Fairfax government offices will be opening two hours late Friday due the winter storm expected to pass through the region overnight on Thursday.

National Weather Service issued a winter storm advisory for much of the Washington, D.C. region, including Fairfax City. Snowfall is expect 9 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Friday, with accumulations of 2-4 inches and more than 5 inches in some areas.

Although a two-hour delay will be in effect on Friday, essential city employees should report to work on time. Non-essential employees can use unscheduled leave or telework.

Fairfax County Public Schools has canceled school for the fifth straight day on Friday due Thursday night's storm.

City of Fairfax is asking residents to move their cars off of streets and cul-de-sacs to make it easier for snow plows to clear roads Thursday night and Friday.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam also declared a state of emergency on Wednesday night due to the impending winter weather. Many communities across the state are still recovering from Monday's storm, which deposited more than a foot of snow in some areas, knocked down power lines, caused more than 600 traffic accidents on icy roads and stranded many drivers in their cars on I-95 for more than 20 hours.

City residents should report weather-related issues, such as hazardous street conditions and downed tree limbs or utility wires to the city's Fairfax Snow Desk at 703-385-2629.

COVID-19 has reduced the staffing of city work crews, who will focus on shoveling public areas, such as municipal parking lots, parts of Old Town Fairfax, and arterial roadways. Residents and business owners are also encouraged clear sidewalks in front of their properties as soon as possible, even if city crews usually clear them.

On Wednesday, the city announced the following changes to service:

• Yard waste and debris collection is suspended for the rest of the week.
• Little School, Michchuchutren Preschool and the Sherwood Before and Afterschool Program are canceled for the rest of the week. All other recreation programs will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sherwood Center.
• Green Acres and Senior Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., as usual. Participants are encouraged to confirm the class schedule for updates or cancelations.

In addition to parking their vehicles off-street, residents are asked to clear and treat their sidewalks as soon a possible. When clearing snow from your driveway, don't throw it in the street. Instead, pile it off the street to the left of the driveway when you're looking from the street toward the driveway. Also, clear snow around fire hydrants.