Stubborn 'snowcrete' slows life across region

A frozen-solid Lake Thoreau sits silently, with Town Center and Reston Station behind it. Temperatures have rarely risen above freezing for the last three weeks. Deer by Soapstone Drive stick together. Photos by Benjamin Burgess

Winter Storm Fern dropped snow, ice, and frigid temperatures across the country between Jan. 23 and Jan. 27. Reston and its surroundings were hit with up to nine inches of snow and sleet, leading to widespread accumulations of unforgiving “snowcrete.” The stubborn combination of snow and ice, further solidified by continuously brutal frigid temperatures, made the task of plowing roads and sidewalks far more difficult than normal. Icy roadways were made even more treacherous as entire lanes were coated with unyielding blocks of ice before they could be cleared. Motorists struggled with narrowed roads well after the end of the storm. Residents were stuck in their neighborhoods as clearing crews recovered from their round-the-clock battle against unrelenting conditions. Trash and recycling collection were delayed as it was impossible for trucks to make it into neighborhoods. All normal community activity was severely curtailed by travel and weather conditions. FCPS cancelled all classes for the entire week of Jan. 26, as well as the following Monday. The balance of the week of Feb. 2 was disrupted by two-hour delays to the start of each school day in response to the unprecedented challenges associated with clearing parking lots, sidewalks, and bus stops.