Update: Thursday, Jan. 6 at 5:30 p.m.
Alexandria City and Fairfax County Public Schools will be closed for a fifth day on Friday, Jan. 7.
There's more than just the weather that's factored into the decision to close this winter. Here's the story, according to a school board member.
Update: Thursday, Jan. 6 at 8:40 a.m.
A winter weather advisory is in effect for the Alexandria area starting Thursday night.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning from 9 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Friday in the D.C. metro area.
"Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches. Isolated high amounts up to 6 inches are possible. Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday morning commute," NWS announced.
The heaviest snow is expected between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. and could reach accumulation rates of 1 inch per hour.
It is very likely students will be out of school on Friday, but Alexandria City and Fairfax County Public Schools have not yet made an official announcement.
Update: Wednesday, Jan. 5 at 7:25 p.m.
A little after 7 p.m. Wednesday, Alexandria City Public Schools announced that school buildings would close for the fourth day this week.
Fairfax County Public Schools announced a bit earlier in the evening that they would be closed, as well.
Unlike previous days, students in ACPS will not have asynchronous education and will have a true day off to play in the melting snow. FCPS students will be off, as well, extending their winter break another day.
There's a chance schools will also be closed Friday, as a storm system that could dump 1 to 4 inches of snow passes through the area overnight Thursday.
@sup.garbage.man on Instagram
Photo by @sup.garbage.man on Instagram. (Read more about Joe Wright and his stand-up paddleboard litter control efforts here.)
Original story, posted 6:06 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4:
Freezing drizzle Tuesday night and early Wednesday means roads may be slick Wednesday morning — and that means another snow day for local students.
Both Alexandria City and Fairfax County Public Schools are closed Wednesday, Jan. 5 due to inclement weather. ACPS students will continue virtual learning, as they have all week. FCPS students will get a traditional snow day off.
We aren't out of the woods yet: Temperatures will rise to about 42 degrees Wednesday during the day under cloudy skies. Students may return to school Thursday if roads are clear and school walkways and parking lots are safe.
But, some weather forecasters say another system might move into the area late Thursday and dump another few inches of snow on Alexandria. High temperatures will be in the 30s Friday and Saturday.
