Winter storm Fern swept through Alexandria over the weekend, dropping 7 inches of snow and bringing the city to a standstill.
The storm began late Saturday night and continued through Sunday evening, coating streets, sidewalks, and rooftops across the city. City crews worked around the clock to clear roads as residents hunkered down — or headed outside to enjoy the snow.
A local emergency remains in effect. Schools are closed through Tuesday, and bitter cold is expected to persist through the week, with overnight lows in the single digits and wind chills below zero.
ALEXANDRIA, VA- JANUARY 25: A pedestrian crosses Dangerfield Road as winter storm Fern hits the region on Sunday January 25, 2026 in Alexandria, VA. (Photo by Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
ALEXANDRIA, VA- JANUARY 25: A worker shovels snow along Cameron Street as winter storm Fern hits the region on Sunday January 25, 2026 in Alexandria, VA. (Photo by Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
ALEXANDRIA, VA- JANUARY 25: A pedestrian carries a sled while walking through the Wilkes Street Tunnel as winter storm Fern hits the region on Sunday January 25, 2026 in Alexandria, VA. (Photo by Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
ALEXANDRIA, VA- JANUARY 25: A pedestrian walks along King Street as winter storm Fern hits the region on Sunday January 25, 2026 in Alexandria, VA. (Photo by Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
ALEXANDRIA, VA- JANUARY 25: Leslie Golden shovels outside her home as her dog, Granby watches from inside as winter storm Fern hits the region on Sunday January 25, 2026 in Alexandria, VA. (Photo by Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
ALEXANDRIA, VA- JANUARY 25: Ellen Goodyear and her husband Charlie Goodyear play in the snow in Windmill Hill Park as winter storm Fern hits the region on Sunday January 25, 2026 in Alexandria, VA. (Photo by Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
ALEXANDRIA, VA- JANUARY 25: Courtney DeThomas pulls her daughter, Antonia, 3, in a sled as winter storm Fern hits the region on Sunday January 25, 2026 in Alexandria, VA. (Photo by Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
ALEXANDRIA, VA- JANUARY 25: John Valceanu cleans snow off a vehicle so his wife will be able to get to work Monday morning as winter storm Fern hits the region on Sunday January 25, 2026 in Alexandria, VA. (Photo by Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
