UPDATE: APS Opening on Two Hour Delay Wednesday

(Updated at 8:15 a.m.) Arlington public schools are opening on a two-hour delay Wednesday, due to expected icy conditions.

APS announced the delay Tuesday night “based on the current weather forecast and conditions,” leaving open the possibility that worse-than-expected road conditions Wednesday could prompt a cancellation. Fairfax County Public Schools announced earlier that its schools would be closed tomorrow.

Wednesday morning, APS affirmed the two-hour delay decision.

APS Will Open 2 Hours Late on Wed, Jan. 30: APS has reconfirmed that all schools and offices will open two hours late today. Essential personnel and food service workers should report to work at their scheduled time. pic.twitter.com/xcNRn5nco4

— Arlington Public Schools (@APSVirginia) January 30, 2019

The federal government, meanwhile, will open on a three-hour delay.

1/30: Federal agencies in the DC area will OPEN with a 3-hour delay and have the option of allowing unscheduled leave/telework.

Employees should plan to arrive for work no more than 3 hours later than they would be expected to arrive. https://t.co/uCtY4welWN pic.twitter.com/suC813eFbD

— OPM (@USOPM) January 30, 2019

Authorities are asking anyone driving overnight and in the morning to take extra precautions due to the likelihood of dropping temperatures turning wet roads into icy hazards. Around Arlington Wednesday, there were some reports of black ice, particularly on local roads.

“VDOT asks that drivers be aware of weather and road conditions prior to making decisions to travel tonight and Wednesday morning,” said VDOT’s Northern Virginia office, in a press release. “Plan for the potential need to delay commutes Wednesday morning, as low temperatures overnight will freeze precipitation and create potential hazardous conditions.”

At least one significant crash was reported Tuesday night — a multi-vehicle wreck on I-395 near the Pentagon — but it’s unclear if weather was a factor.

INCIDENT: Accident with Injury
LOCATION: NB 395 at the Pentagon
IMPACT: Multiple vehicle accident is causing major delays for northbound traffic on the highway, multiple Police and Fire Units on Scene

— Arlington Alert (@arlingtonalert) January 30, 2019

As if the deep freeze wasn’t bad enough, the National Weather Service issued a Wind Advisory Tuesday night.

…WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM EST WEDNESDAY…

The National Weather Service in Baltimore MD/Washington has issued a Wind Advisory, which is in effect from 9 AM to 6 PM EST Wednesday.

* TIMING…Mid-morning through late afternoon Wednesday.

* WINDS…West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

* IMPACTS…Strong winds may blow down limbs, trees, and power lines. Scattered power outages are expected.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Wind Advisory means that winds of 45 to 55 mph are expected. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.