With bitterly cold temperatures expected, the National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Advisory for Falls Church until 6 p.m. Tuesday evening. The lowest wind chills, reaching up to 15 below zero, are expected to occur after midnight Tuesday and last until the early morning.
F.C. Public Schools will be closed to students Tuesday with day care at Thomas Jefferson Elementary moved to Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School. Day care at MEH and Mount Daniel will open at 9 a.m. City of F.C. government will be open Tuesday with employees allowed unscheduled leave after checking with a supervisor. Open departments include City Hall, the Community Center, the Mary Riley Styles Public Library, DMV Select in City Hall and the Court Clerk among others.
The polar vortex, strong upper-level winds normally restricted to the Artic regions, is the cause for the deep freeze which calls for lows in the single digits and highs in the teens with 20-30 mph winds and gusts up to 45. With the low temps and wind chill, residents are at risk for frost bite and hypothermia and are urged to take precaution and wear a hat and gloves when venturing outdoors.
