Photo by wolfkann

Photo by wolfkann

Update: The National Weather Service’s snow accumulation prediction as of 2:40 p.m. on Monday is a bit lighter at 4 to 6 inches in the District. But accumulation in the northern suburbs range from 6 to 8 inches in Leesburg to 8 to 12 inches in Winchester.

Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld announced at a press conference this afternoon that Metro is operating on an adjusted schedule due to the storm. Trains are expected to run regularly today through closing at midnight.

And on Tuesday, the rail system is expected to open at 5 a.m. with service above and below ground. But trains will operate on a Saturday schedule—about every 12 minutes on each line. And SafeTrack single tracking will remain in effect.

And this evening’s Metrobus service may be delayed or detoured due to road conditions. On Tuesday, Metrobus will start the day on a severe snow service plan, which entails the operation of only selected routes along major roadways.

Mayor Muriel Bowser at the press conference that the city is still deciding on school closures. D.C. Public Schools said via Twitter that officials will announce by tomorrow at 5 a.m.

Original: It looks like this year’s milder-than-normal winter isn’t ending without some significant snowfall. District residents are dashing to grocery stores, the city is pre-treating roads, and agencies are shuttering service all in preparation for a winter storm that’s expected to blanket the town by Tuesday morning.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the region from 7 p.m. this evening until 2 p.m. tomorrow.

Snow, possibly mixed with sleet at times, will start falling tonight and continue through tomorrow morning, according to NWS, which predicts about 6 to 10 inches of accumulation. Meanwhile, wind gusts could reach 30 miles per hour.

The National Weather Service also warns that the “heavy snow” could create difficult travel conditions and cause power outages, which Pepco customers can track online.

The Department of Public Works and the District Department of Transportation began pre-treating streets and highways “with a mix of brine and beet juice that slows ice forming on roads” yesterday, according to a release from Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office. The Department of General Services pre-treated sidewalks around D.C.’s public schools, recreation centers, and police and fire departments.

This morning, officials pre-treated major roads and residential routes with rock salt and brine. A full deployment of 200 plows will hit the streets this evening.

Still, WMATA isn’t taking any chances, having already announced the suspension of its MetroAccess service from 4 p.m. this afternoon through tomorrow due to weather forecasts. And DPW has suspended street sweeping for Tuesday, and all scheduled bulk trash pickup appointments for Tuesday will be rescheduled.

The District has activated its Cold Emergency Plan because officials “have determined that the weather, as forecasted, presents a danger, especially to residents who are experiencing homelessness,” according to Mayor Bowser’s office.

This means families can visit the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center at 920 Rhode Island Avenue, NE between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for emergency shelter.

And the city provides free transportation to emergency shelters or warming sites anyone experiencing homelessness in the city—people can make requests for themselves or others by calling (202) 399-7093 or 311. Callers are asked to include the time, the address or location of the person, and a description of their appearance.

Here’s a list of emergency shelters and warming site locations:

  • Hypothermia/Cold Emergency Alert Night Shelters

Hypothermia/Cold Emergency Alert Night Shelters for Women
-New Covenant Baptist Church: 1301 W Street, SE
-Community of Christ Church: 3526 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
-Sherwood Recreation Center: 640 10th Street, NE
-Nativity Shelter: 6010 Georgia Avenue, NW

Hypothermia/Cold Emergency Alert Night Shelters for Men
-Banneker Recreation Center: 2500 Georgia Avenue, NW
-Kennedy Recreation Center: 1401 7th Street, NW
-Sacred Heart Church: 16th Street and Park Road, NW
-Salvation Army: 3335 Sherman Avenue, NW
-Community for Creative Non-Violence: 425 2nd Street, NW
-Adams Place Shelter: 2210 Adams Place, NE
-801 East Shelter: 801 Making Life Better Lane, SE
-Raymond Recreation Center: 3725 10th Street, NW

Co-Ed Hypothermia/Cold Emergency Alert Night Shelters
-Emery Recreation Center: 5801 Georgia Avenue, NW
-King Greenleaf Recreation Center: 201 N Street, SW

  • Low-Barrier Emergency Shelters

Low-barrier Emergency Shelters for Women
– Harriet Tubman Shelter: DC General Building 9, 1900 Massachusetts Avenue, SE
– Nativity Shelter: 6010 Georgia Avenue, NW
– Patricia Handy Place for Women: 810 5 Street, NW

Low-barrier Emergency Shelters for Men
– 801 East Shelter: 801 Making Life Better Lane, SE
– Adams Place Shelter: 2210 Adams Place, NE
– New York Avenue Shelter: 1355-57 New York Avenue, NE

Filed Under: hypothermia, snow, weather, winter storm,