A Winter Weather Advisory goes into effect at 7 p.m. Friday, with forecasters warning that light freezing rain, drizzle, and fog may create hazardous travel conditions across Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and portions of Maryland. The advisory remains in place until 1 a.m. Saturday.
The National Weather Service says a light glaze of ice is possible as temperatures fall back into the 20s overnight, causing any melted snow to refreeze on roads, sidewalks, and bridges.
Officials warn that very slippery surfaces are likely and urge drivers to slow down and use caution during evening and early-morning travel.
Background: Snowfall Across Virginia Earlier Today
Friday’s advisory follows a round of snowfall earlier in the day that brought varying accumulation across Virginia.
At Reagan National Airport, totals reached about three-tenths of an inch, while heavier snow fell west of the region. Augusta County saw three to four inches near Christian and Mint Spring, with two and a half to nearly three inches reported around Charlottesville.
Closer to the Interstate 95 corridor, Fredericksburg and parts of Stafford County recorded one and a half to two inches, and Waynesboro reported about three inches.
Closures and Schedule Changes
The snowfall prompted multiple school divisions to close Friday, including Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, Manassas City, Fredericksburg City, and Manassas Park. Prince William County Public Schools operated on a two-hour delay.
The winter weather also affected community operations. All Central Rappahannock Regional Library branches opened at 1 p.m., except the Cooper, Montross, and Snow branches, which remained closed.
In Stafford County, officials canceled the annual Christmas tree lighting event due to the conditions.
Since midnight, Virginia State Police have responded to 141 crashes statewide. Twenty of those crashes resulted in injuries, and no fatalities have been reported.
Broken down by division:
- Division 2 — Culpeper region, which includes Stafford and stretches north to Winchester, reported 15 crashes, with four resulting in injuries.
- Division 7 — Fairfax, the Northern Virginia region, reported 10 crashes, with two injuries.
What’s Next
As temperatures drop through the evening, forecasters say freezing drizzle may quickly turn wet pavement icy. Residents should monitor conditions and prepare for slick roads through early Saturday morning.
