(Updated at 11:50 a.m.) Alexandria City Public Schools will dismiss two hours early today today due to an expected snowy evening commute.
ACPS made the announcement at 11 a.m., around the same time as the Office of Personnel Management announced that federal offices would be closing by 1 p.m.
Also announced: Alexandria non-emergency city offices will be closing as of 2 p.m.
WEATHER ALERT: For 1/7/2020, ACPS schools and offices will be closing 2 hours early and all after-school activities are canceled. More info: https://t.co/SmBx3a2R2z
— Alexandria City Public Schools (@ACPSk12) January 7, 2020
1/7: Federal offices in the Washington, DC area status: Early Departure 4 hour staggered early release all employees must depart no later than 1:00 PM. https://t.co/XNpFS40aXT pic.twitter.com/4UsMzYfwwA
— OPM (@USOPM) January 7, 2020
Heavy snow this afternoon may make the afternoon commute dangerous. All City offices and non-emergency facilities will close at 2 p.m. Please check the weather forecast and current conditions for your commuting route before you begin travel.
— AlexandriaVAGov (@AlexandriaVAGov) January 7, 2020
Alexandria is under a Winter Weather Advisory as of noon today, with heavy snow expected to fall in the early evening, creating difficult driving conditions.
From the National Weather Service:
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM EST THIS EVENING… * WHAT…WET SNOW EXPECTED. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS AN INCH OR TWO. * WHERE…IN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN VIRGINIA, ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA. * WHEN…FROM NOON TO 7 PM EST TUESDAY. THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS EXPECTED BETWEEN 3 PM AND 6 PM TUESDAY AFTERNOON INTO EARLY TUESDAY EVENING. * IMPACTS…SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY ROADS ARE EXPECTED, ESPECIALLY NORTHWEST OF INTERSTATE 95 INTO THE EVENING COMMUTE. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS…SNOW RATES COULD EXCEED ONE INCH PER HOUR WITH VISIBILITY AROUND ONE-HALF MILE AT TIMES. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… SLOW DOWN AND USE CAUTION WHILE TRAVELING. WHEN VENTURING OUTSIDE, WATCH YOUR FIRST FEW STEPS TAKEN ON STEPS, SIDEWALKS, AND DRIVEWAYS, WHICH COULD BE ICY AND SLIPPERY, INCREASING YOUR RISK OF A FALL AND INJURY. &&
With snow moving into the area now, here are the amounts you can expect (first image), and the high end amount (second image). Generally expecting 1"-3", with 3"-5" across the higher elevations. High end amounts could add an extra inch or 2 to these totals. pic.twitter.com/YrxWOPNxXA
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) January 7, 2020
Alexandria officials are urging locals to be careful on the roads tonight.
Expect wet snow to affect your afternoon/evening commute on Tuesday. Slow down and use caution while traveling, and watch your step if you have to venture outdoors. Do your part to keep everyone safe on the roads this winter. Learn more at https://t.co/FxjdwXajLu #WeatherReady pic.twitter.com/j4WLY3lNFe
— AlexandriaVAOEM (@AlexandriaVAOEM) January 7, 2020
Update at 5 p.m. — Additional updates on the snow are available here.
