Photo by Chris/icantcu.

Never forget the Snow Gridlock of 2011. Photo by Chris/icantcu.

With the threat of several inches of snow looming, the federal and District governments are closed today, as are area schools and:

  • The National Zoo
  • The Library of Congress
  • D.C. Superior Court
  • U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
  • Botanic Garden
  • National Building Museum
  • The Phillips Collection
  • Holocaust Museum
  • National Museum of Women in the Arts
  • National Gallery of Art
  • National Archives
  • Newseum

    • The Smithsonians are currently open, but will close at 4 p.m. AFI Silver Theatre has cancelled its showings after 9 p.m.

    MetroAccess is canceled today, while Metrobus and Metrorail are currently (and relatively) on a regular schedule. But as the weather progresses, bus service may be delayed or suspended. A three hour warning will be given before the latter happens, according to Metro. Train frequency may decrease, as well. Update: After 4:30 p.m., buses will only operate on designated snow routes. See routes in D.C., Virginia and Maryland.

    While it is currently not snowing in D.C., that will soon change, according to weather wizards. The National Weather Service is predicting a possible total daytime snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches, with temperatures falling to 16 degrees by 5 p.m. This cold snap is expected to last until Saturday.

    The D.C. Snow Team went into action this morning, with crews expected to work 12-hour shifts. The plows can be tracked here.

    In an email to listservs, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Cathy Lanier encouraged “all citizens to take this time to look out for those who are less fortunate and may be exposed to these severe weather conditions. Hyperthermia is deadly, please report situations where members of our community may be at risk by calling the Hypothermia Hotline on 1-800-535-7252. A simple phone call that a person may be at risk, may save a life.”

    Now before we all start screaming “It’s not even snowing and the government is shutdown so boo D.C.”, please remember the great Snow Gridlock of 2011, when drivers were trapped on area roads for up to 13 hours.

    So how about you just enjoy your day off and, if you have to work, your free pass to complain about working on a snow day.

    Filed Under: snow, weather,