Published January 7, 2025 at 6:30PM
Updated January 7, 2025 at 7:03PM
Washington-Liberty High School in the snow in 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
Arlington Public Schools students will enjoy their third snow day in a row Wednesday.
APS parents, meanwhile, will have their kids at home for yet another day. They’ve been off since Dec. 20, the last day of classes before winter break.
Though Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services said tonight that “99%+ of school bus routes are now considered passable, APS said the continued closure is “due to persistent hazardous conditions on side streets, sidewalks and parking lots near our school sites.”
Most D.C. area school systems — including Fairfax County, where many APS teachers live — announced a Wednesday closure before APS, though the District itself has yet to make an announcement as of publication time.
Falls Church and Alexandria schools are also staying closed Wednesday, in announcements made after Arlington’s.
The full APS statement is below.
Due to persistent hazardous conditions on side streets, sidewalks and parking lots near our school sites, all APS schools and offices will be closed on Wed, Jan. 8. Safety remains our top priority as we determine the operating status of our schools. Persistent cold temperatures have impacted our ability to clear all school sites, parking lots and walkways of snow and ice.
Unless otherwise directed by their supervisors, custodial and maintenance staff should report to work at their scheduled time. Extracurricular activities, games, team practices, field trips, adult education classes, and programs in schools and on school grounds are canceled.
For updates about Pool Operations, go to www.apsva.us/aquatics. For information about Arlington County programs and operations go to www.arlingtonva.us.
The National Weather Service, meanwhile, just issued the following Special Weather Statement, cautioning about black ice on local roadways tonight.
…Patchy Black Ice Likely Tonight…
Motorists and those walking outdoors should use caution tonight as black ice is likely in some areas. Any water that is still present on roadways and sidewalks will quickly turn to ice as temperatures drop well below freezing.
Be prepared for black ice on some roads. Slow down and use caution while driving. If you are going outside, watch your first few steps taken on stairs, sidewalks, and driveways. These surfaces could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.
