First Snow Of 2025: Snow Removal Policies To Know In McLean

MCLEAN, VA — It won't take long in the new year for the first snow to blanket the region. Forecasters are expecting a winter storm to bring accumulating snow to McLean and the rest of Northern Virginia Sunday into Monday.

Dr. Michelle Read, superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools, announced late Friday afternoon that all school activities or on school ground for Friday evening are cancelled. This includes extracurricular activities, interscholastic contests, team practices and recreation programs and community use by outside groups not affiliated with FCPS.

In addition, all activities scheduled to begin before 9 a.m. on Saturday in county schools or on school grounds are also canceled.

"As a reminder, FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings," according to Reid. "Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated."

The Virginia Department of Transportation plows the roads in Fairfax County, except for a few private roads that are the responsibility of the homeowner or a homeowner association. Fairfax County only removes snow on streets with designated blue signs, and reports for those streets can be sent to the county's Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division.

Residents can follow real-time plowing information from VDOT and report road conditions to VDOT’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-367-7623 or online.

Fairfax County does not require but encourages residents to clear snow off their sidewalks in front of their properties. Homeowners associations may have their own requirements about residents removing snow from sidewalks.

SEE ALSO: 2 Chances Of Snow In NoVA Forecast: See Latest Timing, Details

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is responsible for 14,238 miles of road in Northern Virginia, so please be patient as their crews work hard to get to your street. Find out where plows have been as well as where they are headed. VDOT activates the online neighborhood tracking map when snow reaches two inches or more.

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) asks drivers to delay all nonessential travel, but if you must drive, reduce speed, increase distances, bring emergency supplies, give space to first responders and VDOT crews. Crews prioritize interstate highways, major roads, and main subdivision roads. After a storm ends, VDOT aims to have one passable lane cleared on all roads within the following time frames:

• 2-4" of snow: 24 hours
• 4-6" of snow: 48 hours
• 6" or more: More than 72 hours

Crews will make subdivision roads passable, which means an 8-to-10-foot path for emergency vehicle access. Roads will be drivable with extreme caution, but the road will be snow-packed and not curb-to-curb or bare pavement. Crews will sand hills, curves, and intersections to help with traction.