winter storm | ALXnow

ACPS will continue virtual learning Monday as crews remove ‘snowcrete’ at facilities

Published February 1, 2026 at 5:30PM

ACPS school buses in snowy, icy conditions, Jan. 30, 2026 (via ACPS/Facebook)

Alexandria City Public Schools will continue with synchronous virtual learning tomorrow (Monday), as the school system aims to reopen for in-person learning on Tuesday.

All ACPS buildings and offices will remain closed “due to continuing frigid temperatures resulting in sidewalks not being cleared and safe for students to walk to school and wait for the bus,” Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt announced this afternoon. The closure comes as crews remove what is known as “snowcrete,” or thick, compacted layers of frozen snow and ice, from ACPS facilities.

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JUST IN: ACPS continues virtual learning Friday, as officials monitor weekend forecast

By Katie Taranto

Published January 29, 2026 at 4:15PM

Alexandria crews continue to work on snow and ice removal (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria City Public Schools students will round out this snowy week with another day of synchronous virtual learning tomorrow (Friday).

ACPS facilities will continue to remain closed, Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt announced this afternoon. ACPS is “monitoring the weather forecast for this weekend and will provide an update on Sunday by 6 p.m.,” Kay-Wyatt said.

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Alexandria temporarily suspends sidewalk enforcement while ‘Snow Buddy’ requests rise

By Katie Taranto

Published January 29, 2026 at 3:45PM

Sage Goyda and son participate in the Snow Buddy Program (courtesy of Volunteer Alexandria)

Alexandria has temporarily suspended its sidewalk-clearing requirements but is encouraging residents to help clear snow across the city, as the Snow Buddy Program is experiencing an uptick in assistance requests this week.

The city typically requires residents, businesses and property owners to clear sidewalks, driveways and entrances within 24 to 72 hours after snowfall, but enforcement is on pause, according to a city announcement this afternoon (Thursday). This comes as Volunteer Alexandria’s snow removal initiative has seen at least 25 new applications for help over the past few days.

Around Town

Alexandria Restaurant Week extending one week at select eateries due to winter storm

By Emily Leayman

Published January 29, 2026 at 9:30AM

Meal at Vermilion (photo via Vermilion Restaurant & Bar/Facebook)

Alexandria Restaurant Week will run an additional week, after last weekend’s winter storm put many families’ plans to dine out on pause.

The winter restaurant week, originally set to end this Sunday, Feb. 1, will now run through Sunday, Feb. 8. A Visit Alexandria spokesperson confirmed to ALXnow that the weather prompted the organization to extend restaurant week, giving diners more chances to safely visit participating restaurants.

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Alexandria trash collection returns Thursday as city offices, facilities will open

By Katie Taranto

Published January 28, 2026 at 8:00PM

Alexandria crews continue to work on snow and ice removal (via City of Alexandria)

Trash collection in Alexandria will begin again at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday) as the city’s offices, facilities and courts are set to open with regular hours.

If it is safe to do so, residents are instructed to place trash bins out tomorrow morning to allow snow removal crews to continue working through the night, according to a city announcement. Yard waste and compost will not be collected tomorrow, and there will not be a make-up date for missed collections since Monday.

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JUST IN: ACPS will continue virtual work Thursday, offering free lunches at two locations

By Katie Taranto

Published January 28, 2026 at 4:30PM

Snowy day in Old Town, Jan. 25. 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Students and teachers at Alexandria City Public Schools will continue with synchronous virtual learning tomorrow (Thursday).

ACPS facilities will continue to remain closed, Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt announced this afternoon. The district will also continue to distribute lunches free of charge to all kids under 18 at two school locations, in accordance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s meal waiver program.

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Heavy sleet followed by refreezes hinder Alexandria’s response to ‘unprecedented’ storm

By Katie Taranto

Published January 28, 2026 at 11:30AM | Updated January 28, 2026 at 12:06PM

Alexandria crews continue to work on snow and ice removal in late January 2026 (via City of Alexandria)

The City of Alexandria is continuing around-the-clock snow removal operations after last weekend’s winter storm brought an “unprecedented amount of sleet and freezing rain” to the region, City Manager Jim Parajon said.

The storm was “unlike anything that we’ve experienced since the mid-1990s,” Parajon told City Council last night (Tuesday) during a report on Alexandria’s snow preparedness and response efforts. Hours of freezing rain and sleet on top of the city’s 7 inches of snow had limited the effectiveness of plows.

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Alexandria reopens facilities, cancels waste collection as cold weather continues

By Katie Taranto

Published January 28, 2026 at 8:15AM

Snowy day at the 1600 block of King Street in Old Town, Jan. 25, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The City of Alexandria’s government offices and facilities are slated to reopen at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday), while waste collection has been canceled.

There will not be a make-up run for this week’s canceled trash, recycling, yard waste and composting collection, according to the City. The Alexandria Circuit Court will also remain closed for the day.

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City manager will give snow response update at virtual City Council meeting tonight

By Katie Taranto

Published January 27, 2026 at 3:50PM

Snow removal in Old Town, Jan. 25, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

City Manager Jim Parajon is expected to deliver an update about snow response efforts in the City of Alexandria this evening (Tuesday).

Parajon is scheduled to provide the update during City Council’s legislative meeting, which will take place virtually at 7 p.m. The update will detail how the city prepared for snow, “what we have seen, where we need to amp up the response, and what you can expect over the next few days,” Mayor Alyia Gaskins said today on social media.

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JUST IN: ACPS will shift to virtual learning Wednesday as schools remain closed

By Katie Taranto

Published January 27, 2026 at 3:30PM

Snowy day at the 100 block of King Street, Jan. 25, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Tomorrow (Wednesday) will be a virtual workday for students and teachers at Alexandria City Public Schools.

ACPS facilities will remain closed for all activities for a third consecutive day due to inclement weather, Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt announced this afternoon. Students, teachers and staff will instead move to synchronous virtual learning plans.

Around Town

‘Snow Buddy’ volunteers help clear Alexandria neighbors’ sidewalks after storm

By Katie Taranto

Published January 27, 2026 at 12:35PM

Sage Goyda and son participate in the Snow Buddy Program (courtesy of Volunteer Alexandria)

A team of volunteers in Alexandria have bundled up to shovel and treat their neighbors’ walkways after this weekend’s winter storm.

For two decades, Volunteer Alexandria’s Snow Buddy Program has provided snow removal assistance to people with disabilities, homebound residents and seniors who meet income eligibility requirements. The program, which typically serves 30 to 40 residents, is meeting increased needs in the city, with 65 service requests from Alexandria residents so far this winter.