While a hill near the George Washington Masonic National Memorial is a well-known spot for sledding in Alexandria, the memorial’s grounds won’t be accessible during this weekend’s winter storm.
The grounds will be closed Sunday “for everyone’s safety,” said Shawn Eyer, a spokesperson for the site. That comes after resident Steve Adams tried to organize a snowball fight on the grounds Sunday morning.
“Unfortunately the Snowball Fight we planned and dreamed of at the Masonic Temple has fallen through,” Adams said. “I have gotten word that the George Washington Masonic Temple is closed to the public Sunday.”
Adams told ALXnow he is now considering other recreational locations for future winter storms. Attendees can tentatively plan to attend a similar snowball fight hosted by The Washington DC Snowball Association, he said.
Eyer explained that a private or group event on the grounds of the memorial would require an agreement.
“For any private or group use of our grounds, including outdoor events or gatherings, our standard policy requires a formal rental agreement with a minimum fee of $1,000, along with provision of a certificate of insurance naming our organization as additionally insured,” Eyer said.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch in Alexandria and the rest of the D.C. region from Saturday evening through Monday morning. Forecasters believe at least 5 inches of snow will fall, with potential for up to 10 inches and ice accumulation.
The snowfall could start Saturday evening, with heavy accumulation of 1 to 2 inches per hour at times late Saturday night. According to the weather service, travel could be challenging during the storm, potentially extending into the Monday morning commute.
Low temperatures and the potential for power outages could be a concern during the storm. The weather service says wind chills in the single digits and teens starting Friday evening will linger into the middle of next week.
Dominion Energy is mobilizing crews at it expects widespread outages from falling trees and tree limbs during heavy snow and ice accumulation. The electric utility says the outages are more likely in areas with ice accumulation above a quarter inch, which it expects for areas south of the Northern Virginia region.
Customers experiencing outages will be able to report outages through the Dominion Energy app or by calling 866-DOM-HELP.
The City of Alexandria is advising residents to plan ahead for the forecast, with recommendations like gathering emergency supplies and checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Alexandrians can find information about the city’s winter storm emergency alerts, the status of plowing and more on the city’s website.
