Skies are clear and sunny today, but the National Weather Service is warning that tomorrow night (Friday) and Saturday morning could see snow around the area.
The National Weather Service put out a ‘special weather statement’ for Alexandria and many surrounding localities that accumulating snow is possible Friday night.
According to the alert:
Snow will overspread the area from west to east Friday evening and exit Saturday morning. Generally one to three inches of snow is expected at this time. Localized totals upwards of four or five inches are possible wherever the bands of snow set up.
Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact travel Friday night into Saturday morning.
Fortunately — or unfortunately, for this snow-loving reporter — that snow is forecasted to taper off on Saturday, with only a 20% chance of snow Saturday morning, followed by a sunny Sunday and Monday.
If you’re thinking of heading out for a drive in the snow, you may want to hold off on that unless you live on one of the city’s arterial roads.
The City of Alexandria’s SnowReport website provides a look at current roadway conditions around Alexandria during a snowstorm.
As of 10 a.m., the map shows that most major roads like King Street or Duke Street are cleared, though drivers are still warned to be cautious.
“Snow has been pushed to the sides of the street, leaving visible snow, or cleared down to blacktop, with running water visible,” the website said. “Streets are also treated with salt. Drivers should continue to use caution and expect icy spots and/or snow.”
Most of the residential streets, however, currently remain snow-covered, which the city’s website helpfully defines as “Street is covered with snow.”
#DYK that the City has a Snow Report tool that allows you to see the condition of the roads during a snow event? Try it out for yourself to get an idea of what your trip will be like before leaving your house. https://t.co/UJOuMQ9cvo pic.twitter.com/J6mO6QDHdG
— Alexandria Transportation & Environmental Services (@AlexandriaVATES) January 18, 2024
Somebody in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is making the proper sacrifices to the snow gods: Alexandria students and teachers will have another snow day tomorrow (Friday).
Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt said the school system will have another snow day tomorrow — i.e. no virtual learning will take place — after getting one earlier this week on Tuesday. With MLK Day on Monday, ACPS students only attended classes on Wednesday and Thursday.
“Due to the inclement weather forecast, all Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) schools and offices will be closed on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024,” Kay-Wyatt said in a release. “All in-person activities are canceled. This is a traditional snow day and no virtual learning will take place for students.”
All afternoon and evening programs on ACPS grounds will also be canceled.
After getting a snow day on Tuesday, ACPS students and faculty will get a two-hour delay tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.
In a release, Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt said the delay is due to the extreme temperatures and hazardous conditions, with the National Weather Service warning of hazardous conditions as temperatures drop.
According to the release:
All Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) schools and all offices will be opening two hours late on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024 due to extreme temperatures and the potential for hazardous conditions.
Students in Grades Pre-K-12 should report to school two hours later than regular opening time.
Morning Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) programs are canceled for tomorrow, January 17, 2024. Afternoon ECSE will report at the regular opening time and will be dismissed at the regular time.
All essential personnel, including building engineers, custodians, maintenance shop employees and security staff must still report at regular time if safe to do so. Please contact your direct supervisor for reporting instructions.
All non-essential personnel should report two hours later than their regular time.
The National Weather Service warned that even after snow tapers off around noon today, winds are expected to pick up and temperatures could drop.
In a Special Weather Statement, the National Weather Service said slick spots should be expected on some local roadways, even after the snowing stops.
According to the National Weather Service:
…Areas of freezing drizzle through midday. Becoming blustery and turning sharply colder in the afternoon…
Areas of freezing drizzle can be expected from the Blue Ridge and Catoctin Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay until about noon today. Precipitation may change briefly back to snow before it ends with little or no additional snow accumulation expected. As the precipitation ends, expect blustery northwest winds to strengthen and gust to about 30 mph with temperatures decreasing during the afternoon. Expect slick spots on roadways especially over bridges and any untreated surfaces.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for our area until 10 a.m. Temperatures are expected to be in the low 30s.❄️🌡️❄️
If you are in need of place to keep warm, the City offers several locations, including rec. centers, libraries, and a Winter Shelter: https://t.co/BE4dW7yRfM pic.twitter.com/3cilUEODEl
— AlexandriaVAGov (@AlexandriaVAGov) January 16, 2024
Yard waste recycling, recycling and trash were also not collected today due to the snowy weather. Trash collection will slide back two days this week, meaning the Monday collection is on Wednesday, Tuesday collection is on Thursday, etc.
Trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will not be collected today due to inclement weather. This means that collection will "slide" two days this week. For example; Monday collection will now be on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/JKgdqsLvMI
— Alexandria Transportation & Environmental Services (@AlexandriaVATES) January 16, 2024
Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) announced at 6:15 p.m. on Monday that schools and offices would be closed on Tuesday, with students getting a ‘traditional snow day’ rather than switching to virtual learning.
After previously considering switching to virtual classes on any school days that might be closed due to snow, the ACPS website noted that the school division would also consider having some snow days off for students and teachers.
According to a release from ACPS:
Due to the inclement weather forecast, all Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) schools and offices will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. All in-person activities are canceled. This is a traditional snow day and no virtual learning will take place for students.
For more information on our revised instructional plans, please visit the ACPS winter weather decisions webpage.
Please note that due to the school closure, all afternoon and evening activities on ACPS school grounds are also canceled. This includes programming that is provided by community organizations or the City of Alexandria in ACPS facilities or on school grounds, as well as any ACPS athletic, band or other extracurricular activities or community events. Families may want to check with their community service provider to get an update on their changes in operations due to the expected inclement weather. Schools will send information to families regarding any make-up days or new event dates.
All essential personnel, including building engineers, custodians, maintenance shop employees and security staff must still report if safe to do so. Please contact your direct supervisor for reporting instructions.
You might want to rethink any plans you made for the first weekend of the new year.
Meteorologists forecast a significant winter storm this weekend, with rain and snow kicking off sometime after 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6. The forecasts put the chance of precipitation at 80%, going up to 90% overnight.
There’s a chance of snow continuing on Sunday morning, though it should clear up by Sunday night and Monday morning.
The National Weather Service predicted an “enhanced winter storm threat” with possible closures and impacts to travel.
Alexandria had a mostly snow-less 2023, though there was a light dusting early last month.
With the advent of virtual learning in public schools during the Covid pandemic, it seemed like snow days would become a thing of the past.
In late 2021, Alexandria said remote learning would replace in-person classes during what, in the past, would have been a day away from school for children.
A bill was proposed in the Virginia House of Delegates earlier this year to make remote learning a mandatory substitute for snow days, though the bill died in the House Committee on Education.
Now, some localities are starting to reconsider that push to replace snow days with virtual learning.
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) announced earlier this year that the school district would restore snow days and end the use of virtual learning.
“This adjustment aims to maximize in-person learning and to ensure equitable access to instruction and student services for all students,” FCPS said in a press release.
Alexandria City Public Schools’ website says, if there are sufficient calendar days, the school division will consider designating the day “as an actual snow day for all students and staff.”
There’s not a speck of snow on the forecast, but Alexandrians might see snow plows making the rounds across the city today.
The city’s Department of Transportation & Environmental Services (T&ES) is doing a practice run today for potential wintery conditions.
“If you see snow plows on Alexandria streets on November 13, they are not responding to an actual snowstorm but are instead practicing their routes and equipment readiness,” the city said in a release.
According to the release:
Test runs are an essential part of the City’s winter preparedness strategy; they help T&ES, and other City agencies involved in winter weather response, to respond promptly and effectively to keep our streets clear and our community safe when a snow event does occur.
Such drills give snow plow operators the opportunity to refamiliarize themselves with equipment, routes, and safety procedures to enhance their efficiency when responding to snow and ice events. The dry runs also allow T&ES to identify and address any maintenance or operational issues with our snow plows, ensuring they are in peak condition when winter weather arrives.
As always, T&ES encourages everyone to exercise caution when encountering snow plows on City streets. Even when there isn’t snow and ice on the ground, we ask residents to please give snow plows space to safely maneuver.
Weather experts are predicting a potential winter wonderland this year, with estimates of up to six or seven inches of snow, Washingtonian reported.
Good Tuesday morning, Alexandria!
🌥 Today’s weather: Overcast throughout the day. High of 45 and low of 34.
⛅ Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy throughout the day. High of 45 and low of 34. Sunrise at 7:28 am and sunset at 5:06 pm.
🚨 You need to know
A new bill could mean the end of snow days for Virginia public schools.
Currently, during severe weather conditions, schools have the option to switch to remote learning. House Bill 1666, pre-filed yesterday by Del. Danny Marshall (R-Danville) would change that to a requirement rather than an option: school divisions must declare unscheduled remote learning days to provide instruction and student services.
The school divisions are also not allowed to claim more than 10 unscheduled remote learning days per year without an extension granted by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
While snow days are forever popular among students and teachers, the change is likely spurred on by concerns about learning loss in Virginia students over the last few years. Before disheartened teachers and students start shaking their fists at the state legislature, it’s worth noting that Alexandria City Public Schools had already started moving in that direction.
📈 Monday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Jan 9, 2023.
- Notes: Popular D.C. brewery opening new location in the Carlyle neighborhood (604 views)
- Saving herself: Alexandria author kidnapped by Somali pirates to publish second book (529 views)
- Poll: Should Alexandria implement more ‘no turn on red’ restrictions? (399 views)
- ‘The most blighted property in the West End’ gets redevelopment recommendation from Planning Commission (318 views)
🗞 Other local coverage
- George Washington Slept Here
Alexandria Living (Monday @ 9:45 pm)
- Peruse the Menus for Alexandria Restaurant Week
Alexandria Living (Monday @ 5:38 pm)
- Atlas Brew Works To Open Location With Andy’s Pizza In Alexandria
Patch (Monday @ 3:49 pm)
- See The Online Menus: Alexandria Restaurant Week Returns with $25, $35 and $45 Prix Fixe Choices
Zebra (Monday @ 2:24 pm)
- National Pizza Week 2023: Best Pizza In Old Town Alexandria, Deals
Patch (Monday @ 12:18 pm)
- Crash Causes Downed Traffic Signal On Route 1 In Alexandria
Patch (Monday @ 8:53 am)
🐦 Tweets of note
The traffic signal at the intersection of Richmond Hwy and E Reed Ave was knocked down and is currently not working. Crews are on site making the necessary repairs and directing traffic. Please use caution while traveling through this area. Stay tuned for more updates. pic.twitter.com/qu7zYv7eVR
— Alexandria Transportation & Environmental Services (@AlexandriaVATES) January 9, 2023
For half of a century, dedicated volunteers in the Alexandria community have been organizing an annual observance of the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This year marks the 50th observance and we would like you to join us this Sunday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/LdHF9f7lSC
— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) January 9, 2023
It's #happytails for Malt, one of our longest-term residents, who found his family in late December. They share that he is already flourishing with them, gaining confidence every day and even hanging out with his new feline siblings. Congratulations to Malt and his new family! pic.twitter.com/oEWjuTsiku
— AWLA Alexandria (@AlexAnimals) January 8, 2023
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on today in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
- No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
