Several days of snowy weather have been a mild headache for Alexandria’s emergency management team, but all things considered: staff says things are going pretty well.
“Things are going good” said Jeff Duval, deputy director of Transportation and Environmental Services. “We’ve had a few days of challenging weather. The storms has been persistent, they’ve come and gone with multiple bands.”
Updated at 4:45 p.m. — A winter weather advisory remains in effect throughout the day, as the City was blanketed with snow on Sunday. Up to two more inches are expected overnight, according to the National Weather Service.
The snow shut down in-person schools and non-emergency city staff are allowed to telework.
ACPS In-Person School Called Off Monday, Virtual Learning Still Happening — “WEATHER ALERT: For Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, ACPS buildings are closed for all. Virtual learning to continue. Food distribution and child care at ACPS buildings canceled.” [Twitter]
Warming Centers Open in Alexandria Until Feb. 5 — “Due to forecasted cooler weather, the city of Alexandria will offer warming centers Friday through Feb. 5 to provide relief from the cold for community members who may not have access to a warm shelter during the day.” [Patch]
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning in Alexandria and the surrounding area, as the city is expected to receive four to eight inches of snow on Sunday and Monday.
“The steadiest snow will fall through this afternoon before tapering off to an intermittent mix of light snow, sleet, and freezing rain,” NWS said in its alert on Sunday morning. “Additional snow is expected Monday through Monday night with additional accumulations most likely around one to three inches, bringing the storm total accumulations around four to eight inches.”
Up to two inches of snow and almost an inch of ice are expected between now and 9 a.m., and the National Weather Service has declared a winter weather advisory to be in effect in Alexandria until 9 a.m.
According to NWS:
Alexandria, along with D.C. and Arlington, will be under a winter weather advisory starting tomorrow morning with possible rain, snow and ice.
The advisory was Tuesday afternoon and includes Arlington, Alexandria and D.C., where 1-2 inches of snow is expected to fall amid the mix of precipitation.
A winter preparation update headed to the City Council tonight (item 27) outlines plans for what looks to be a mild winter — a small mercy for city services at the end of a somewhat literally plagued year.
While day-to-day weather can be unpredictable, the staff presentation notes that information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that the city is not anticipated to have higher than normal precipitation and is within a belt of areas likely to see temperatures above the city’s winter average of 39.3 degrees. The trend is in keeping with steadily increasing average temperatures in the D.C. area over the last twenty years.
Update at 10:30 p.m. — Alexandria public schools will be opening on a two hour delay Wednesday amid concerns about slick spots forming overnight as temperatures dip below freezing.
WEATHER ALERT: For 1/8/2020, ACPS schools and offices will be opening 2 hours late. More info: https://t.co/SmBx3a2R2z
(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.
Arlandria Condos to Have French Flair — “A small condo project in Alexandria’s Arlandria neighborhood is looking to employ the name of one of the area’s most confusing roads — but make it fancy. ‘Le Glebe,’ as proposed, would have four condominiums over about 2,500 square feet of retail at 226 and 228 W. Glebe Road, according to an application submitted to Alexandria planners.” [Washington Business Journal]
T.C. Williams Briefly Evacuated — “T.C. Williams High School King Street Campus is being evacuated due to smoke on the 3rd floor. Fire department en route.” [Twitter, Twitter]
Amazon Presence on Innovation Campus? — “Virginia Tech leaders and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) executives are working toward a partnership that could give the company’s cloud computing arm a home at the $1 billion innovation campus at Potomac Yard.” [Washington Business Journal]
Underage Drinking Prevention Town Hall — “On Dec. 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe St.), the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria will host a town hall discussion titled, ‘Healthy Youth, Healthy Families: Promoting Alcohol-Free Holidays.'” [Zebra]
