On January 25, 2026, a winter storm dropped almost a foot of snow on Fairfax County. This winter storm caused highway, business, and school closures as well as power outages. However, this wasn’t the end of the damage. The snow changed to freezing rain, causing the snow to freeze solid into something weather forecasters described as “snowcrete.” Week-long below-freezing temperatures prevented the snowcrete from melting and the poor driving conditions to persist.
But that wasn’t it for severe winter weather. While Fairfax County was spared the blizzards that Northeastern cities witnessed, on Monday, March 16 local school districts closed early due to the threat of severe storms, strong winds, and tornados. We did not see the forecasted tornadoes in our region, but the tornadoes hit the ground in other parts of Virginia and Southern Maryland.
After six snow days and four school late delays, I hope everyone is safe. Let’s hope this spring isn’t as chaotic as this winter.
Now that we’ve survived the harsh cold and now that we have the first bit of leaves on the trees, it’s time to think of the change in seasons. Which season would you most like to experience? Do you enjoy wearing layers in the winter? Do you get sick every week in spring? Do you hate applying sunscreen every summer? Or do you love experiencing the chill weather of autumn? As for me, I believe that autumn is the best weather season, but the choice is up to you!
Winter
For some Lewis students, winter means staying home and being cozy, being covered by blankets for warmth. Some students enjoy a wintry landscape of snow and the activities that come with snow: building snowmen and snow angels and having snowball fights.
World History teacher George Pugh remembers a snowy Vermont Christmas. “I was, like, at least 10 to 11 years old when I was moving up to Vermont, and this was the only time I had a snowy Christmas. My brother and I went skiing. Another memory I had was when we decided to try to visit my cousin, but there was a huge snow storm. We got stuck in it, but we made it,” Pugh said.
As for me, I like a small covering of snow on the ground but not huge amounts. I feel this way because experiencing huge amounts of snowfall will make me feel trapped indoors and forced to do chores. A little snow is nice, but more snow means shoveling, which is hard labor.
NOAA’s website calculates that Fairfax County (Dulles) received 12.6 inches of snowfall through February, but we also got snow on March 2 and March 12, which have yet to be added to the annual total. Northern Virginia’s yearly snowfall totals, in the last twenty years, range from 0.4” in 2022-2023 to 73.2” 2009-2010 [which included unusual weather events known as “Snowpacopalyse” and “Snowmaggedon”].
This freezing weather often keeps people indoors, which means people can’t interact with one another outdoors as often. The sun sets early due to Daylight Saving Time. Winter often brings snow and ice that block roads, cancel flights, and cause power outages.
Winter isn’t all that bad. The first thoughts that come to mind among many students are Christmas and New Year’s, and eventually even Valentine’s Day. The winter holiday season offers FCPS students a two week school break And this winter offered the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
Spring
Spring starts on March 20, with the equinox, the date at which the sun crosses the equator and day and night are the same length. Lewis students are almost divided in their opinion of spring. Many label it as the “worst” weather season because of pollen allergies and unpredictable weather. Some students have called this “bipolar weather.” For instance, the weather on Saturday, Mar 28 reached 48 degrees while Wednesday, Apr. 1 will be 88.
Early spring weather in Fairfax County typically includes wind and sometimes rain. We are typically safe from tornadoes in Fairfax County, Virginia. However, spring is the peak of tornadoes in the U.S., with over 600 tornadoes typically occurring between April and June according to The Weather Channel.
But spring also offers warmer, but not too hot, temperatures and more sunlight in the day time.
Freshman Aaron Thawng likes being outside in the spring. ”I picked spring [as my favorite] because everything is very alive, and I can stay outside longer. Another reason why I love spring is because everything feels more nostalgic,” Thawng said.
Freshman Sady Ramirez Romero enjoys the beauty on display with spring flowers and blooms. “I chose spring as my favorite weather season because the weather is chilly and warm, and all of the flowers and trees start to bloom, and it is so beautiful to see that,” Ramirez Romero said.
For many, spring is the time to ditch heavy coats and boots for shorts and sneakers. Psychology teacher Heather Kunicki describes her perfect spring day. “I enjoy it when the weather is warm but not hot yet. I also love that spring isn’t humid yet. My perfect day would involve spending time outside, maybe on a hike with my family. So long as the pollen isn’t bad yet,” Kunicki said.
Summer
When most Lewis students think of summer, they think of vacation from school. Yet the temperature can be so freaking hot! The average July temperature in Fairfax County was reported as 80.6 degrees for both July 2024 and July 2025. However, that seems low for anyone who’s experienced summer in Northern Virginia.
Freshman Aliyana Mireles feels that summer is her least favorite season. “The weather is always hot and sticky, the car seats and seat belts burn your skin if they’re not cooled down before interacting with them. It’s too crowded everywhere because everyone is on break. And mosquitoes suck,” Mireles said.
Mosquitoes and more intense sunlight means you can’t even step outside without layers of sunscreen and bug repellent. Late summer can bring severe weather like hurricanes and tornadoes. Summer also brings back-to-school because students’ first day of school is August 24, 2026 for FCPS.
However, the season has many perks. Longer daylight hours, and the arrival of summer break offers two months of freedom. Students get to spend more time with friends and family free from school. Lewis students celebrate holidays like Independence Day by lighting fireworks. Lewis students enjoy visiting reopened pools like Springboard Pool and Saratoga Pool, both in Springfield, and amusement parks like King’s Dominion.
Freshman Aaron Rorrer talks about why he enjoys summer. “I enjoy summer because I like to go to the beach, and I like to have cold drinks in the hot weather. And we have no school for two months,” Rorrer said.
Autumn/fall
Autumn is the most beautiful season in my opinion because it has colored leaves in shades of red, orange, and yellow. The weather is almost perfect, with average temperatures 57.9 degrees in October 2025 and 59.2 degrees in October 2024 according to NOAA.
Freshman Karol Romero Pineda likes both the cooler temperatures and the fall foliage, “Autumn is the best weather season because it’s not too cold or hot. It’s also very pretty to see the leaves with different colors on the ground,” Romero Pineda said.
Freshman Randy Escobar Pineda talks about the autumn atmosphere. “The scenery turns into amazing shades of orange, red and yellow. It’s never too windy. It’s not too cold, and if it is, you can always put on more thin layers or just one thick puffer or coat. In fall, the air just seems clearer and more refreshing,” Escobar Pineda said.
The fall holidays are amazing, with Halloween and Thanksgiving. The whole week of Thanksgiving is the best because school is canceled for half that week. The excitement continues with Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, providing shoppers opportunities to get discounts on almost everything.
However, autumn isn’t always full of pros. Falling leaves mean a tiring cleanup hassle through raking and leaf-blowers. Even though school starts in August, many students associate fall with returning to school for a new school year, and this can cause stress and difficulties adjusting for students. Some students report that the fall breaks are simply not long enough.
Survey Results
What did Lewis students vote as their favorite and least favorite season? Over the winter, I collected data through a Google survey, asking people to vote and comment upon their opinions for best and worst seasons. Here are the results:
After 100 Lewis students responded, they were divided on the best season. However, autumn came out to take the crown with 28 responses! Spring and summer are the runner-ups with both receiving 26 responses, while winter came last with only 20 responses.
For the worst season, Lewis students say that winter is the worst season with 45 responses! Summer is the runner-up with 26 responses. Spring got third with 21 responses while autumn got last with only 8 responses.
Do you agree? What is your favorite season and why? Be sure to comment!
