Is there any chance that FCPS would be closed Friday?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So maybe we should complain to VDOT (or whoever plows roads) to do a better job of clearing the side roads....this really isn't FCPS' job to plow the roads in front of schools or your neighborhood bus route.

Look, it is what it is. Why expend the energy. Schools in this area have been closing like this forever. No amount of complaining has changed that.

What do you possibly think could be said in 2014 that hasn't been said in past years??

Some of the roads are BAD! They can clean the roads right now and ice can form again overnight (which is what I suspect has been happening. I don't think they've been sitting back doing nothing all this time).

All you'll do is make yourself look like a horrible parent who would rather risk their child's safety to be rid of the burden then to miss a few days of school that can and will be made up.

Once roads are plowed, they dry up very quickly. MoCo roads for the most part are dry and covered with a layer of dried salt. And the salt must be working despite the low temps, because any water that is still on the roads is in the form of a puddle, not ice. Some side roads have patches of snow here and there, but nothing like the "treacherous" conditions people are complaining about here. I'm still perplexed why the road conditions seem to be so different between MoCo and Fairfax, given that they are very similar in terms of size and types of roads, etc. And MoCo generally got more snow than Fairfax. Does anyone know if MoCo has a much larger snow removal budget?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You think the Capital Weather Gang actually checked into the small road conditions in Fairfax? I think not. I think school should be open BUT Fairfax road conditions and bus stop logistics are not in the CWG's expertise.

Actually, they don't dispute that some roads are still snow-covered and slick in spots. At issue is whether or not that makes conditions unsafe:

"I’m sure County officials would say they’re erring on the side of caution. Please. It’s not particularly hard or hazardous to drive on an inch of compacted snow – in those precious few neighborhoods which crews haven’t yet reached or where patchy streaks of snow and ice remain. You drive a little slower, increase your following distance, and apply your brakes a little sooner and more gently.

In the Upper Midwest, a thin base of snow is on roads everywhere for large stretches of the winter. I realize the D.C. area is not the Upper Midwest, but let’s not discourage people from learning by doing. Again, driving in this stuff does not require great expertise, just a little bit of caution."

[Anonymous]

Believe me - teachers do not want today off. What they have to cover with the kids has not been reduced.

[Anonymous]

What roads are still bad? I live in Clifton and our roads are fine. We have been out and about. All the roads were in great shape.

[Anonymous]

Some of our subdivision streets in W. Springfield aren't so great. A pass by a plow would help a lot in getting rid of all the loose stuff, but I don't think they're out anymore.

[Anonymous]

Are people thinking that we will have school tomorrow (Friday)?

[Anonymous]

From VDOT:

VDOT CREWS MAKE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS CLEARING MAJOR ROADS ACROSS THE STATE
Motorists urged to drive with extreme caution because of extreme cold and slick conditions

RICHMOND –Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews will remain out in force treating and plowing roads across the state. Interstate and primary roads are mostly clear with some snow- and ice-covered areas. Crews are treating secondary and subdivision streets, which have more snow cover.

Through the day, motorists should watch for:

Snow and ice patches on major roadways
Icy conditions on bridges, overpasses and shady areas
Snowpack and icy conditions on secondary and subdivision streets
Blowing and drifting snow in the northern regions of the state
Any wet areas will quickly refreeze as the day ends due to extremely cold temperatures. VDOT crews will continue to treat roads to increase traction and plow where needed.

VDOT encourages motorists to call 511 or go to www.511virginia.org to get the most up to date information on road conditions. Road problems can be reported to 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are people thinking that we will have school tomorrow (Friday)?

I'm really at a loss on this one. I haven't seen (or heard) a plow through our subdivision and there is no melting going on. It doesn't seem much different from yesterday.

[Anonymous]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2014/01/23/counterpoint-fairfax-countys-defense-for-shutting-down/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2014/01/23/counterpoint-fairfax-countys-defense-for-shutting-down/

Wow. Love the pictures people sent in of what they think constitutes "hazardous" road conditions necessitating school closures. Are these people for real?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2014/01/23/counterpoint-fairfax-countys-defense-for-shutting-down/

Wow. Love the pictures people sent in of what they think constitutes "hazardous" road conditions necessitating school closures. Are these people for real?

Yes, those picture are awesome!!

[Anonymous]

ok, i got to comment 2 and had to stop. I was a brand new driver the winter we had ice storm after ice storm (1994). I HAD to drive on roads for MONTHS that looked exactly like those pictures. Granted, I was in not in Fairfax at that time (I grew up not too far north of here, though). Seriously? Those pictures of "hazardous" road conditions are ridiculous. Drive slow - it is pretty much that simple. How the fuck are kids going to ever learn if we insist that everything is not for them/too difficult?

I'm so done with this wussification of our kids. We got 4 inches of snow. Sometimes, the roads aren't perfect. You need to learn to drive in winter conditions at some point.

[Anonymous]

So....any word on whether the FCPS will close tomorrow?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2014/01/23/counterpoint-fairfax-countys-defense-for-shutting-down/

Wow. Love the pictures people sent in of what they think constitutes "hazardous" road conditions necessitating school closures. Are these people for real?

I think the pictures are in response to comments that all roads are clear and dry. That's all. Yes, they are passable, but not cleared.

[Anonymous]

If FCPS is waiting for the ice to melt, we're going to be waiting a looooong time.