News

The severe winter storm expected to arrive tonight in Northern Virginia will likely bring days of slippery conditions on Arlington’s streets and sidewalks, authorities warn.

A Winter Storm Warning goes into effect at 11 p.m. tonight ahead of around 6-10 inches of expected snow, sleet and ice. Up to 14 inches of accumulation is possible in the region, with snow expected to turn to sleet tomorrow morning and freezing rain by Sunday evening, according to the Capital Weather Gang.


Around Town

Good Friday evening, Arlington. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Jan 23, 2026.

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. Ex-reality TV star from Falls Church to primary Sen. Mark Warner (23570 views)
  2. State of emergency declared, ‘widespread power outages’ expected during snowstorm (20039 views)
  3. Death of unhoused woman in Arlington sparks conversation on intervention options (19770 views)
  4. Five spots in Arlington and Falls Church make Washingtonian’s top 100 restaurants list (15046 views)
  5. BREAKING: Large power outage in Pentagon City area (11784 views)
  6. Gov. Spanberger targets utility bills, power demand amid data center boom in N. Va. (11475 views)
  7. Arlington homeowners could face tax hike as office values plummet 19% (7288 views)
  8. Arlington starts pretreating roads as NWS raises winter storm threat level to “high” (5664 views)
  9. Duplex destroyed in Bluemont house explosion gets rebuilt with new townhomes (5321 views)
  10. NEW: Winter Storm Watch issued for Arlington (5169 views)
  11. Storm brings enforcement of Arlington’s snow removal ordinance: what you need to know (4862 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Arlington, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

🌨️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect clouds to increase with a high around 22 degrees and wind chill values as low as -4. A north wind will blow at 6 to 10 mph, gusting up to 18 mph. On Saturday night, heavy snow is likely after 9pm, with a low around 17 degrees and an east wind at 3 to 6 mph. Precipitation chances are at 100%, with potential new snow accumulations between 3 to 7 inches. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
– Theodore Roosevelt

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

The MonumentCam screenshot above is used with permission of the Trust for the National Mall and courtesy of EarthCam.

We hope you have a great weekend, Arlington! If you have something to say about an issue of local note not covered today, feel free to post it as a letter to the editor on our new forum. 👋


Sponsored

No matter your age, having a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family. A properly prepared will ensures your wishes are carried out, helps reduce family disputes, and can make the estate administration process much smoother.

Unfortunately, many Virginians make avoidable mistakes that can create unnecessary stress and expense for their loved ones. Here are five of the most common.

1. Trying to Write a Will Without Legal Guidance

Online templates and DIY wills may seem like an easy way to save money, but they often create bigger problems later. Virginia law has specific requirements for a valid will, including proper signatures and witness requirements. Even small mistakes can leave a will open to challenges or delay the administration of an estate.

2. Forgetting to Update Your Will

A will shouldn’t be something you create once and forget. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, buying a home, or losing a loved one can all affect your estate plan.

Reviewing your will every few years—or after a major life event—helps ensure it still reflects your wishes and keeps your loved ones protected.

3. Overlooking Federal Estate Tax Planning

Virginia no longer has a state estate tax, but federal estate taxes may still affect larger estates. As home values and investments continue to grow, more families may find themselves closer to the federal exemption than they expected.

Planning ahead can help minimize tax consequences and preserve more of your estate for your beneficiaries.

4. Not Planning for Minor Children

For parents, a will does more than distribute assets—it allows you to name a guardian for your minor children. Without that designation, a court may ultimately decide who will care for them.

Many families also choose to establish a trust so inherited assets can be managed responsibly until children reach an age or milestone they determine is appropriate.

5. Choosing the Wrong Executor—or Not Naming One at All

Your executor is responsible for carrying out your wishes, paying debts, and distributing your assets. Selecting someone who is organized, trustworthy, and capable of handling those responsibilities is just as important as deciding who inherits your property.

It’s also essential to clearly identify your beneficiaries. Vague language or outdated information can create confusion and, in some cases, disputes among family members.

Don’t Forget the Rest of Your Estate Plan

A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:

  • A revocable living trust
  • A durable power of attorney
  • An advance medical directive
  • A transfer-on-death deed for your home

Together, these documents can help protect your finances, outline your healthcare wishes, and simplify matters for your family if you’re ever unable to make decisions yourself.

The Bottom Line

A well-prepared estate plan provides peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. By avoiding these common mistakes and keeping your documents up to date, you can help ensure your wishes are honored while reducing stress for your family in the future.

If it’s been several years since you’ve reviewed your will—or you’ve never created one—it may be time to speak with an experienced Virginia estate planning attorney about your options.

PJI Law, PLC: Estate Planning Attorneys in Fairfax, VA

At PJI Law, PLC, we work with clients across Fairfax and Northern Virginia to build estate plans that reflect their intentions and align with Virginia law. Our estate planning attorneys take the time to review your assets, beneficiary designations, business interests, and family structure so your plan works as intended.

Whether you’re creating your first will or revisiting an existing one, our team will help you avoid the mistakes that can undermine your entire estate plan.

Call (703) 865-6100 or contact us online to schedule your complimentary consultation today.

PJI Law, PLC
3900 Jermantown Rd, 2nd Floor
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
(703) 865-6100
https://pjilaw.com


News

At least one day of trash collection has been canceled in Arlington as authorities are urging residents to prepare and stay off the roads during this weekend’s snowstorm.

Curbside collection and brush pick-up will not take place on Monday, and no make-up runs will happen later in the week, Arlington’s Department of Environmental Services announced today (Friday). Residents are advised to check the county website for any further updates about pick-up on Tuesday and beyond.


News

A year with multiple challenges led to a 5% passenger-traffic decline at Reagan National Airport in 2025.

Federal job cuts, the seven-week government shutdown, wintry weather and the aftermath of the fatal midair crash over the Potomac River all affected total passenger levels for the year, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) President Jack Potter said.


Around Town

A new fitness studio is hosting its grand opening in Ballston starting today, offering free classes and discounted annual memberships.

Barre3 opened its doors for the first time at 818 N. Quincy Street at 6 a.m. today (Friday). The studio is providing free classes through Sunday and “unlimited” founding memberships at a heavily discounted rate.


News

The Arlington County Police Department is investigating a pair of overnight break-ins at two businesses in the Old Dominion neighborhood.

Bill’s Ace Hardware and a neighboring service center, National Tire & Battery (4801 Langston Blvd), were both targeted, according to scanner chatter and a tipster.


Sports

Arlington public-school basketball teams had the opportunity to square off against one another in action over the past week.

As the regular season passed the halfway mark and playoffs began to loom on the horizon, Liberty District games involving the Wakefield Warriors, Washington-Liberty Generals and Yorktown Patriots were played over a three-day stretch.


Opinion

While you might be more focused on preparing for snow and keeping warm than looking ahead at summertime, now is the time to be thinking about summer camps in Arlington.

Here are the nominees for “Best Summer Camp in Arlington” as part of our ARLnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Did we miss your favorite spot? Write it in!

Voting will close in two weeks.

Voting for Favorite Visual Arts Organization is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Personal Trainer in Arlington. The results are now official:

  1. Naxos Strength and Conditioning
  2. E60 Fitness
  3. Training Ground

Weather

The earlier Winter Storm Watch for Arlington and the D.C. area is now a Winter Storm Warning.

The National Weather Service issued the warning just after 10 a.m., predicting that this weekend’s storm will drop 7-14 inches of snow and sleet. Freezing rain is also looking likely, with the ice potentially causing tree damage and power outages.