Kelly Hannon, spokesperson for VDOT’s Fredericksburg District, emphasized the challenges faced by crews during the storm. “Our teams have been making repeated passes since it started snowing around midnight,” Hannon said. “We’ve focused on major routes like I-95, Route 1, Route 17, and Route 610 to ensure access to critical areas, including public safety facilities.”
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Two Waves of Snow and More to Come
While a brief lull in snowfall provided some respite, Hannon warned against complacency. “We’re expecting another 4 to 6 inches of snow this afternoon and evening,” she said. “Crews will return to primary routes and the interstate to keep them traversable for emergency personnel and those who must travel.”
VDOT’s priority is to push as much snow as possible off the travel lanes and shoulders before temperatures drop below 20 degrees tonight. A significant refreeze is expected, which could make snow removal even more difficult. Hannon noted that while the light, fluffy snow moves easily with plows, the incoming frigid temperatures create icy conditions that pose serious hazards.
When asked to grade drivers on their adherence to VDOT’s plea to stay off the roads, Hannon said, “We’ve seen a lot of people staying home, and we’re very grateful. If everyone can stick with us a little longer through the rest of tonight, it will help our crews tremendously.” She added that venturing out too soon could lead to treacherous driving conditions as snow continues to fall.
VDOT’s approach prioritizes the roads with the highest traffic volumes. “Interstate 95 comes first, followed by alternate routes like Route 1, and then primary roads connecting to the interstate,” Hannon explained. Secondary roads and residential streets are addressed later. “We will get to everyone,” she assured. However, due to the storm’s scale and low temperatures, residents shouldn’t expect bare pavement immediately.
VDOT has mobilized more than 900 pieces of snow removal equipment to tackle the storm. “This is a huge responsibility,” Hannon said. “Our staff and contractors train year-round for events like this. Their dedication to serving the community is immense, and we couldn’t do this without our contractor partners who join us during the winter.”
Storm totals
Here are the snow totals from highest to lowest for these areas, as reported by the National Weather Service and trained spotters:
Prince William County
- Nokesville: 8.5 inches
- Dale City: 7.6 inches
- Woolsey (1 SW): 6.3 inches
- Dale City: 6.0 inches
- Triangle: 6.0 inches
Stafford County
- Arkendale : 8.0 inches
- Stafford: 7.5 inches
- Holly Corner : 6.0 inches
Fredericksburg
- Dunavant (1 S): 6.0 inches
Stay tuned to Potomac Local News for updates and more stories about the community’s response to this winter storm.
The Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) has announced that its locations will be closed on Monday, January 6, in anticipation of severe weather. Library officials decided to prioritize the safety of staff and patrons as forecasts predict hazardous conditions throughout the region.
CRRL serves the communities of Fredericksburg, Stafford County, Spotsylvania County, and Westmoreland County through its network of branches. The library system offers an array of services, including access to books, digital resources, educational programs, and community events. With its mission to provide opportunities for learning, growth, and connection, the CRRL has become a cornerstone for residents seeking knowledge and enrichment.
In addition to traditional library services, CRRL provides resources such as free Wi-Fi, public computers, and meeting spaces for local organizations. The library also hosts a variety of programs catering to diverse audiences, including storytimes for children, technology training for adults, and book clubs for all ages.
While all physical locations will remain closed on Monday, many of the library’s digital services will still be available. Patrons can access eBooks, audiobooks, and other online resources through the library’s website. CRRL encourages the public to explore these offerings from the safety and comfort of their homes during inclement weather.
Due to the winter storm affecting our region and expected significant snow accumulation, Stafford County offices, facilities, courts, public schools, and both locations of the R-Board/Regional Landfill (Eskimo Hill and Belman Road) will be closed on Monday, January 6, 2025.
The Virginia Department of Transportation has urged motorists to stay off the roads due to hazardous conditions from snow and ice. The R-Board will monitor weather conditions and provide updates on their operating status through their website and social media channels. Emergency updates, links, and resources are available on Stafford’s emergency information page.
Germanna Community College has announced the closure of all its locations on Monday, January 6, 2025, due to anticipated inclement weather. The announcement on the school's website states: "Due to anticipated inclement weather, all Germanna locations will be closed on Monday, January 6."
Serving more than 12,000 students annually, Germanna operates multiple campuses and centers across Virginia, including locations in Fredericksburg, Locust Grove, Culpeper, Stafford, and Caroline. The college provides a wide range of academic programs, including associate degrees, certifications, and workforce training, to meet the needs of its diverse student body.
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Regular classes will begin on Monday, January 13. In an earlier version of this post, we incorrectly reported that classes would be canceled on Monday, January 6.
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Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) has announced the closure of all schools and buildings for Monday, January 6, 2025, due to the forecast of snow and ice overnight. This decision also extends to canceling all activities and events scheduled for Monday.
SCPS, one of Virginia’s largest school divisions, serves approximately 31,000 students across 33 schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools. The division emphasized that safety remains the top priority, urging residents to stay off the roads if possible.
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Residents across Fredericksburg, Manassas, and Woodbridge should brace for what could be the most significant winter storm in years, with snow accumulations of 4 to 12 inches forecasted. The storm is set to begin Sunday afternoon, bringing snow, sleet, and freezing rain through Monday and potentially into early Tuesday.
Governor Glenn Youngkin has declared a state of emergency for Virginia, mobilizing state resources to prepare for hazardous conditions. The National Weather Service reports that the storm’s impact will depend on its track, with a northern trajectory bringing more ice and a southern track resulting in heavier snow across the area.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has activated its highest level of preparedness. “We’re mobilizing more than 900 pieces of equipment and have pre-treated major roadways, including Interstate 95, with brine to prevent ice from bonding to surfaces,” said Kelly Hannon of VDOT’s Fredericksburg District. Crews are also staging towing equipment along major routes to quickly address incidents.
Travel Warnings and Road Preparations
VDOT urges residents to complete all essential travel by Sunday and avoid driving during the storm. “Staying off the roads not only ensures your safety but allows our crews to clear snow and ice effectively,” Hannon emphasized. The storm is expected to bring snow at rates of up to an inch per hour, with periods of sleet and freezing rain complicating road conditions. Frigid temperatures following the storm could prolong icy conditions, hindering recovery efforts.
Lessons from the Past
Memories of the January 2022 snowstorm that stranded motorists on Interstate 95 loom large for hours. Hannon stressed the importance of staying home during hazardous weather, as treacherous conditions can halt even the most prepared response teams.
VDOT plans to prioritize interstates and primary roads but acknowledges that secondary streets may take longer to clear. Residents can track road-clearing progress through VDOT’s online resources.
As the storm approaches, Potomac Local News will provide updates on closures, travel conditions, and recovery efforts. Residents are encouraged to subscribe to our email newsletter or follow us online for the latest information.
Officials urge everyone to heed warnings and prepare for several days of challenging weather.
All work is scheduled, weather permitting. That’s a big “if,” with at least two to four inches of snow forecast for the region. Updated information is available online.
Stafford County
Route 3 (Kings Highway) Bridge Repairs
Alternating lane closures at the Route 3 bridge over railroad tracks between Cool Springs Road and Chatham Heights Road. Repairs scheduled Sunday through Thursday, 9 p.m.–6 a.m.
Berea Church Road Closure
Closed from Berea Knolls Drive to Theresa Garden Place for road improvements. Northbound access from Route 17 is also restricted.
Fredericksburg
Route 1 at Fall Hill Avenue & Princess Anne Street/Hanson Avenue Intersections
Intersection improvement projects continue with intermittent single lane and shoulder closures. Most lane closures occur overnight or outside peak commute times. Expected completion: June 2026.
Lafayette Boulevard at Twin Lakes/Kensington
Construction for a $2.4 million bicycle and pedestrian connector project is underway. Completion is anticipated by November 2025.
Interstate 95
Exit 126 (Spotsylvania) Off-Ramp
Southbound
Alternating single lane closures nightly from 7 p.m. to 10 a.m. for ramp widening and the addition of a right turn lane to Route 1 southbound.
Route 1 Southbound Widening
Between I-95 Exit 126 Off-Ramp and Southpoint Parkway
A second right turn lane is being added from Route 1 southbound to Southpoint Parkway, along with traffic islands for safety improvements.
Completion expected August 2025.
Route 606 (Mudd Tavern Road) Widening
Near I-95
Mudd Tavern Road widening to four lanes between I-95 and Route 1, with additional access routes under construction. Completion expected May 2025.
Spotsylvania County
Route 1 Northbound & Southbound
Alternating lane closures from the I-95 southbound off-ramp to Southpoint Parkway nightly from 7 p.m. to 10 a.m.
Southpoint Parkway
Single lane closures between Pacific Drive and Route 1 for safety improvements and traffic island installation. Scheduled Sunday–Monday (7:30 p.m.–5:30 a.m.) and Monday–Thursday (9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.).
Route 620 (Harrison Road) Widening
Reconstruction and widening to four lanes between Gordon Road and Old Plank Road. Includes new sidewalks and pedestrian signal equipment. Expected completion: late summer 2026.
Monica Gary, who represents the Aquia District on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors, announced she will step down at the end of her term on December 31, 2025. Gary, elected in 2021, shared her decision in a statement posted to Facebook emphasizing family and faith as her priorities moving forward.
“As we enter the New Year and I spend time mindfully with my family, I’m reminded of how quickly life passes us by,” Gary wrote. She highlighted her family’s milestones, including her children’s graduations and her desire to be more present for her loved ones. “This is also a time for me to deepen my relationship with the Lord and prepare for whatever comes next.”
Gary expressed pride in her accomplishments on the board and encouraged others to serve their community. “The issues I ran on now have real, tangible solutions in place that will continue to move forward, even without my presence,” she said.
Her announcement comes amid lingering controversy following her censure by the Board of Supervisors in December 2024.
Censured Over Library Board Controversy
On December 17, 2024, the Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0, with one abstention, to censure Gary for her role in the removal of Mary Becelia from the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) Board of Trustees earlier in the year. The board accused Gary of providing misleading information and violating its Code of Performance.
The censure resolution stated that Gary’s actions were “political in nature” and aimed at securing support from the Stafford Democratic Committee for her 2025 re-election bid. As part of the censure, Gary was removed from all board assignments and committee appointments.
Gary defended herself during the meeting, alleging retaliation by the board and accusing her colleagues of damaging public trust. “The public doesn’t trust because this board is not trustworthy and has shown themselves not to be so,” she said.
Community members rallied behind Becelia, a longtime volunteer in Stafford County, criticizing the board’s actions and calling for accountability. Becelia, accused of misconduct, described the ordeal as “reckless” and without evidence.
In a Facebook post, Gary admitted her role in Becelia’s removal, calling it a mistake and apologizing for the actions taken. Despite her attempts to reinstate Becelia, the board upheld its decision, citing misconduct and political motives tied to Gary’s re-election aspirations.
2023 Virginia State Senate Campaign
Before the censure and resignation announcement, Gary pursued higher office in 2023, running as an independent for Virginia’s 27th District State Senate seat. The district includes portions of Stafford and Spotsylvania counties and Fredericksburg.
The election results reflected a closely contested race dominated by the two major party candidates:
- Tara A. Durant (Republican): 34,180 votes (48.1%)
- Joel L. Griffin (Democrat): 32,927 votes (46.3%)
- Monica L. Gary (Independent): 3,282 votes (4.6%)
Monica Gary’s journey into public service is marked by a diverse and challenging background. Growing up in poverty, she became a mother at 17 and later endured an abusive relationship.
During this period, she worked as a dancer in strip clubs, a decision she attributes to the influence of her then-partner and the constraints of her circumstances.
Reflecting on this time, Gary told ABC News, “Because I grew up in purity culture, I thought, ‘Well, I’m broken, so no one’s ever gonna want me. I’ll just be with this guy who’s already awful to me because maybe he’ll want me.'”
Despite these hardships, she pursued higher education, earning a theology degree, and founded the New Wine Community Church in Stafford in 2019. Her experiences have profoundly shaped her approach to leadership and advocacy, emphasizing resilience and a commitment to community service.
The Stafford Board of County Supervisors will hold its annual organizational meeting on Tuesday, January 7, 2024.
