Get ready for a windy Wednesday across the region, as conditions are expected to be quite blustery throughout the day. The National Weather Service is forecasting a more widespread wind event, with gusts reaching between 40-50 mph in most areas, except for parts of central Virginia and southern Maryland.
Wind Advisory in Effect
A Wind Advisory will be in place from late Wednesday morning into the early evening as a potent front drops south across the area. The gusty conditions will be accompanied by lower relative humidity, raising concerns for fire weather in central Virginia. The winds will slowly subside by late evening but be prepared for sustained gusts during the day.
Temperature Outlook
High temperatures will reach the mid to upper 50s for areas along and east of the Blue Ridge, while the higher terrain of the Allegheny Front will stay more remarkable, with highs in the upper 30s.
Overall, it will be a windy and cool day, so be sure to secure loose outdoor items and take precautions if you’re heading out.
Arctic high pressure continues to grip the region, keeping dangerously cold temperatures and bitter wind chills in place through Thursday morning. The National Weather Service warns that these frigid conditions will persist, with temperatures struggling to climb above freezing during the day and plummeting overnight.
Wednesday and Beyond
Temperatures on Wednesday will remain well below freezing, with daytime highs only reaching the teens and lower 20s. Wind chills will remain a significant concern, with values ranging from -10°F to -25°F in many areas.
By Wednesday night, winds will ease slightly as high pressure drifts overhead, but temperatures will still drop to the single digits in many areas, with subzero readings likely in higher elevations.
On Thursday, temperatures will begin to moderate slightly, with highs climbing above freezing for much of the lower terrain. However, the early morning hours will remain frigid, so caution is still advised.
Warming Shelters Open
Several warming shelters are available to help residents stay safe during the cold:
Town of Dumfries Comfort Station
- Location: Jeff Simpson Community Center, 1775 Main Street, Dumfries, VA 22026
- Dates & Times:
- January 21, 2025: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- January 25, 2025: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Prince William County Hypothermia Shelters
StreetLight Ministries (Eastern Prince William County)
- Location: Bill Mehr Drop-In Center, 14716 Potomac Mills Rd., Woodbridge, VA 22192
- Hours: Open nightly, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 a.m.
- Contact: [email protected] or 703-227-7140
Manassas Baptist Church (Western Prince William County)
- Location: 8730 Sudley Rd., Manassas, VA 20110
- Hours:
- Monday – Sunday, 7:00 p.m. – 6:30 a.m.
- Wednesdays: 8:30 p.m. – 6:30 a.m.
- Contact: 571-277-0728
Manassas Park Warming Centers
- Manassas Park Community Center: 99 Adams Street, Manassas Park, VA
- Manassas Park City Library: 100 Park Central Plaza, Manassas Park, VA
These facilities provide short-term relief from the cold. Check their respective websites for operating hours.
Protecting Your Home: What to Do if Your Pipes Freeze
With temperatures plunging, water pipes in homes across the region are at risk of freezing. Here’s what to do if you encounter frozen pipes:
- Turn on the nearest cold water faucet to relieve pressure caused by ice expanding in the pipes.
- Gradually thaw frozen pipes by wrapping towels soaked in warm water around them.
- Do not use a blow torch, hair dryer, or any direct heat source, as these can cause pipes to crack.
- For water or sewer emergencies, if served by Prince William Water, contact Prince William Water Emergency Dispatch at (703) 335-7982.
Stay Safe
Residents are urged to limit time outdoors, bundle up, and check on neighbors and vulnerable populations. Potomac Local News will provide updates as the situation develops.
Get ready for some of the coldest weather this winter as Arctic air grips our area. Wind chills are expected to plunge to dangerous levels, prompting the region's advisories.
What to Expect
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If you're planning to attend outdoor festivities or events this Inauguration Day, bundle up! The National Weather Service has issued a frigid forecast for the day, with Arctic air making its presence known across the region.
The day will start mostly sunny but bitterly cold, with high temperatures struggling to reach 27 degrees. Adding to the chill, northwest winds of 13 to 18 mph will bring gusts up to 30 mph, creating wind chills in the single digits to teens east of the mountains and well below zero in higher elevations.
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The National Weather Service warns of wintry weather this weekend, with light snow or a wintry mix possible late Friday into Saturday morning. Precipitation should turn to rain by midday Saturday, but models show varying chances for light snowfall on Sunday, particularly in western areas.
A powerful Arctic air mass will arrive Sunday night, bringing the coldest temperatures in five years. Highs on Monday, Inauguration Day, will struggle to reach the teens and low 20s, with wind chills dropping to -15°F in the mountains and near 0°F elsewhere. Bitter cold will persist through Wednesday, with overnight lows below zero in some areas, according to the National Weather Service.
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Here’s the latest on school closures and delays across the region:
Prince William County
Prince William County Schools (PWCS) will start two hours late on Friday, January 10. All bus routes will also be adjusted by two hours. Parents are encouraged to check with their school for specific bell times and use the Here Comes the Bus app for bus arrival updates. Due to an expected increase in drop-offs, families are asked to be patient with staff and plan for additional time during arrival.
Stafford County
Stafford County Schools will be closed for students on Friday, January 10. All activities and events scheduled for Friday and Saturday are canceled.
- Emergency personnel are expected to report on time.
- 12-month employees will report at 10 a.m. with liberal leave authorized.
- Licensed employees will have a workday starting at 10 a.m.
Free meals will be provided to all Stafford students aged 18 and under at the following locations:
- Kate Waller Barrett Elementary School
- Rocky Run Elementary School
- Edward E. Drew Middle School
Meals will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include take-home breakfasts. Students are welcome regardless of meal eligibility status.
Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg City Public Schools will be closed on Friday, January 10.
- Essential personnel should report at 8 a.m.
- 12-month employees report at 10 a.m.
- Teachers and certificated employees (excluding 12-month employees) will have a flexible workday, either working remotely or at school starting at 10 a.m.
Manassas Park
All Manassas Park City Schools will open two hours late on Friday, January 10.
Spotsylvania County
Friday, January 10, will be a Teacher Work Day for Spotsylvania County Public Schools. No students will report to school, and all student after-school activities are canceled.
King George County
King George County Schools will be closed Friday, January 10, due to adverse road conditions and inclement weather.
- 12-month employees will operate under Code 2 with a report time of 10 a.m.
Fairfax County
All Fairfax County public schools and school offices will open two hours late on Friday, January 10.
- Central offices will open at 10 a.m.
- SACC centers will open at 8 a.m.
Several schools in our region have announced closures and delays for Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy road conditions and inclement weather. Here is the latest list of updates:
Prince William County Public Schools
On Thursday, January 9, all Prince William County Public Schools will be closed for students and teachers.
– All 250-day employees and all pay grade 13 and above report at 10 a.m.
Stafford County Public Schools
Schools will be closed for students on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
– Emergency personnel will report on time.
– All 12-month employees will report to work at 10 a.m. If you are unable to report to work safely, liberal leave is authorized.
– Thursday, January 9 will serve as a workday for all licensed employees beginning at 10 a.m. While buildings will be open to enable maintenance crews to clear any remaining snow and ice, telework is permitted and encouraged where duties allow.
Manassas City Public Schools
Manassas City Public Schools and offices will be closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to hazardous road conditions.
– Code BLUE for employees.
Manassas Park City Schools
Schools will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy conditions.
– Code RED for employees.
Fairfax County Public Schools
All Fairfax County Public Schools are closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
– School offices and central offices will open to the public at 10 a.m.
Fredericksburg City Public Schools
Fredericksburg City Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
- Essential workers should report at 8 a.m.
- 12-month employees should report at 10 a.m.
Spotsylvania County Public Schools
Spotsylvania County Public Schools are closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to icy road conditions.
- Code 2: 12-month employees report two hours late as safety permits.
- Essential personnel will report at specified times.
- All school-sponsored activities and student externships are canceled
King George County Public Schools
King George County Public Schools will be closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to adverse road conditions and inclement weather.
- Code 2: 12-month employees report at 10 a.m.
- Liberal leave will be in effect.
We’ll update this post with additional school closures and delays as they are announced.
The Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) will close all its locations early at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8, citing icy road conditions that make travel hazardous. This decision follows a two-day closure of all CRRL locations earlier this week due to heavy snowfall that blanketed the region.
The library system made the announcement at midday on Wednesday, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety of staff and patrons.
CRRL serves a broad region, including the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Westmoreland. With 10 branches and a robust online resource platform, the library offers services ranging from book lending and computer access to educational programs for all ages. The early closure will impact planned events and services scheduled for Wednesday evening. Patrons are encouraged to use the library’s extensive online catalog and digital resources during the closure.
The winter storm that prompted these closures brought significant disruptions across the area, impacting schools, businesses, and local government operations. Library staff have worked to ensure buildings are safe and accessible during this challenging weather. However, today’s icy conditions pose continued challenges for travel in the region.
Prince William County government offices and facilities will be open on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Still, employees can take unscheduled leave or engage in unscheduled telework due to current weather conditions.
While the county remains open for business, residents are encouraged to check for the latest updates on facility-specific operations by visiting pwcva.gov/emergency.
Some county services may be impacted by the weather. Before visiting a county facility, call ahead or check the county’s website.
