Wind Chills To Close Fairfax County Public Schools On Jan 5

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA—As the "bomb cyclone" hit the DC area with a bit of snow and strong, chilly winds continuing into Friday, Fairfax County Public Schools have cancelled school for Friday, Jan. 5.

Staff will report, as school offices and central offices will open at 10 a.m., although unscheduled leave is an option for employees that have worked for the district one or more years. Meanwhile all school activities will be cancelled.

It is the second day in a row the school district has cancelled classes. Areas of Fairfax County received a light dusting to 1.5 inches overnight Thursday, but the National Weather Service has extended a wind chill advisory for the region through noon Friday. Residents should expect wind chills ranging from 5 degrees to -10 degrees.

The advisory applies to central DC, Prince William County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Fairfax County, Arlington County, Falls Church, Alexandria, Stafford County, Spotsylvania County, and eastern Loudoun County. (For more local stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Even when the wind chill warning ends, highs will be between 15 and 20 degrees on Friday and Saturday, with wind chills making it feel like temperatures in the single digits. Forecasters warn that cold wind chills will cause frostbite to exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

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