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

• Cold Weather Advisory:
  • In effect from 7 p.m. tonight to 10 a.m. Tuesday and 10 p.m. Tuesday to 10 a.m. Thursday.
  • Wind chills as low as -10°F could make outdoor exposure hazardous.
• Tuesday Snow Chances:
  Light snow flurries or isolated snow showers are possible on Tuesday afternoon and evening, especially west of I-81. While accumulation is expected to be minimal, any snow could make roads slick due to the bitterly cold temperatures.
• Temperatures:
  20–30 degrees below normal through Thursday. Even as temperatures start to moderate later this week, highs will struggle to rise above the 20s and 30s.

Stay Safe in the Cold

With frostbite and hypothermia risks at these temperatures, here’s how to protect yourself:

• Dress Warmly: Wear layers, including gloves, a hat, and a face covering if you need to go outside.
• Protect Pipes: Allow water to drip slowly to prevent freezing, and insulate outdoor pipes.
• Check on Neighbors: Older adults, young children, and those without proper heating are especially vulnerable.
• Keep Pets Safe: Bring them indoors or provide warm shelter, food, and unfrozen water.
• Use Heating Equipment Safely: Avoid using generators or grills indoors and follow instructions for portable heaters.

This extreme cold is no joke—wind chills as low as -10°F can cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes. Stay inside when possible, drive carefully, and prepare for icy conditions throughout the week.

Keep following Potomac Local News for updates as this cold snap unfolds.

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.

By Monday night, clouds will begin to increase, and temperatures will drop even further to a low of around 11 degrees. Winds will calm slightly, but the Arctic air will linger.

Looking ahead to Tuesday, there’s a slight chance for snow showers in the afternoon, though any accumulation is expected to be light due to the very dry air. Highs will hover near 24 degrees, with winds becoming light and variable.

Those in the Alleghenies should be prepared for ongoing upslope snow showers, with some areas seeing accumulations exceeding a foot.

If you’re heading out, layer up and stay warm! With hazardous wind chills persisting through Thursday morning, it’s essential to take precautions against the cold.

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.

We’ll keep you posted with updates on the forecast.

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:

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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.

Several schools in our region have announced closures and delays for Wednesday, January 8, 2025, due to inclement weather and hazardous road conditions. Here is the full list of updates:

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