Arlington Braces for Latest 'Snow Event' After Snowmageddon of 2010

Columnist reflects on historic snowstorms and Arlington's community resilience

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:39pm

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As Arlington, Virginia braces for a new major snowstorm, a local columnist looks back on the historic 'Snowmageddon' of 2010 that brought record snowfall, power outages, and community cooperation. The columnist highlights the valuable role of the Arlington Historical Society in preserving local history and the upcoming 250th anniversary celebration of the American Revolution in the area.

Why it matters

Snowstorms are a regular occurrence in the Washington D.C. metro region, and the community's ability to respond and recover from these events is crucial. The 2010 Snowmageddon highlighted both the challenges and the resilience of Arlington residents, providing important lessons for how the community can prepare for and weather future winter storms.

The details

The 2010 Snowmageddon event brought 17.8 inches of snow to Arlington over two days, the fourth biggest storm on record at the time (later tied by the Blizzard of 2016). Neighboring areas saw even heavier snowfall, with Dulles Airport receiving over 30 inches. The storm caused widespread power outages, collapsed roofs, blocked streets and transit, and forced the federal government to close for nearly a week. Arlington's Department of Environmental Services worked around the clock to clear roads, with snowplow crews putting in 12-hour shifts.

  • On February 5, 2010, the 'Snowmageddon' storm began in Arlington and the broader DMV region.
  • Several days later, the 'Blizzard of 2010' brought even more snow to the area as it was still recovering from the first storm.

The players

Arlington Historical Society

A local organization that has preserved the history of Arlington, Virginia, including details about major snowstorms like the 2010 Snowmageddon.

Bob Griffin

The Director of Arlington's Department of Environmental Services, who worked for more than two weeks straight to oversee snow removal efforts after the 2010 storms.

Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250)

An initiative created by the Virginia General Assembly to plan and manage statewide events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

Peter Vaselopulos

The President of the Arlington Historical Society and Chair of the Arlington VA250 Committee, which is organizing the upcoming Arlington HistoryFest 250 event.

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What’s next

Arlington HistoryFest 250, a free outdoor festival commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Kenmore Middle School.

The takeaway

The 2010 Snowmageddon event demonstrated Arlington's resilience in the face of major winter storms, with the community coming together to support one another and the local government working tirelessly to restore normalcy. The upcoming 250th anniversary celebration of the American Revolution will provide another opportunity for Arlington residents to connect with their community's rich history.