It’s going to be windy today in and around Alexandria.
The National Weather Service says that conditions will be clear, with wind gusts this afternoon up to 50 miles per hour. The wind advisory is in effect until 6 p.m.
“Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects,” NWS said in its advisory. “Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.”
The high temperature will be 66 degrees and the low will be about 47 degrees, according to NWS.
NWS says that Sunday will be calmer, with wind gust near 28 miles per hour, and a high temperature of 78 degrees.
Good Friday morning, Alexandria!
⛈️ Today’s weather: Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms, partly sunny skies, and a high around 68. Breezy conditions will prevail, featuring a west wind at 14-24 mph and gusts up to 43 mph; there’s a 40% chance of precipitation. Friday night will see scattered showers, mainly before 2am, with mostly cloudy skies and a low near 52. The breeze will continue with a west wind at 21 mph and gusts reaching 39 mph, accompanied by a 30% chance of precipitation.
🚨 You need to know
Like Rodney Dangerfield, U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) is going back to school.
Patch reported that the 73-year-old Congressman enrolled at George Mason University to get a Master’s Degree in artificial intelligence.
Does it pose an existential threat? Beyer says no.
“I tend to be an AI optimist,” Beyer said after taking a recent class. “We can’t even imagine how different our lives will be in five years, 10 years, 20 years, because of AI. … There won’t be robots with red eyes coming after us any time soon. But there are other deeper existential risks that we need to pay attention to.”
📈 Thursday’s most read
The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Apr 11, 2024.
- Mayoral candidates say Alexandrians lost trust in public officials because of failed Potomac Yard arena deal (1023 views)
- Alexandria police investigating white supremacist fliers posted in Potomac Yard (923 views)
- What’s Up in Alexandria This Weekend: Del Ray Dog Fest, Spring Garden Market, Spring Oysterfest, and more! (460 views)
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on today and this weekend in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
- 9:00 am Friday: 2024 Spring Garden Market at River Farm
- 8:30 am Saturday: MVCS Big Flea in the Neighborhood
- 9:00 am Saturday: 2024 Spring Garden Market at River Farm
- 👉 9:00 am Saturday: Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market
- 12:00 pm Saturday: The “Grandest Congress”: The French and Indian War in Alexandria
- 8:00 pm Saturday: LIVE Comedy Game Show with the Auxiliary Improv
Good Friday morning, Alexandria!
☀️ Today’s weather: Expect mostly sunny skies and a high of 54 degrees, accompanied by west winds at 7 to 17 mph and gusts up to 24 mph. As the evening approaches, the sky will remain mostly clear with temperatures dropping to around 37 degrees and a northwest wind of about 11 mph.
🚨 You need to know
Inova Blood Donor services will be on-hand at the Del Ray Farmer’s Market this Saturday.
Inova says that there’s a “critical shortage of blood, especially type O, due to increased usage in treating patients with critical injuries,” and will be hosting a number of blood drives throughout the region.
“Donations of any blood type, but particularly those with type O blood, could be the vital support these patients require,” Inova said in a release. “By donating, you directly impact lives and help replenish the blood supply to meet this urgent demand.”
Inova’s “Bloodmobile” will be at 2309 Mount Vernon Avenue from 8 a.m. to noon.
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on today and this weekend in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
- 7:30 pm Friday: Bring It On – ACHS Spring Musical
- 9:30 am Saturday: Common Interest Communities Training Series: Accessibility Requirements
- 10:00 am Saturday: All Lit Up Like a Japanese Lantern: The Japanese Aesthetic in Frank Lloyd Wright
- 12:00 pm Saturday: Literary Series: Parker Adams Discusses THE LOCK BOX
Anyone heading out this afternoon should remember to bring an umbrella: storms are likely inbound to Alexandria.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said rain is likely this afternoon, mainly after 2 p.m.
“Chance of precipitation is 70%,” the National Weather Service said.
The area will likely also see rain overnight in Alexandria, with a 60% chance of precipitation around 2 a.m.
The NWS forecasted rain to continue tomorrow (Wednesday) during the day and overnight with the chance of precipitation at 80%.
“New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible,” NWS said.
Thursday, at least, should be a return to sunny weather.
Skies are clear and sunny today, but the National Weather Service is warning that tomorrow night (Friday) and Saturday morning could see snow around the area.
The National Weather Service put out a ‘special weather statement’ for Alexandria and many surrounding localities that accumulating snow is possible Friday night.
According to the alert:
Snow will overspread the area from west to east Friday evening and exit Saturday morning. Generally one to three inches of snow is expected at this time. Localized totals upwards of four or five inches are possible wherever the bands of snow set up.
Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact travel Friday night into Saturday morning.
Fortunately — or unfortunately, for this snow-loving reporter — that snow is forecasted to taper off on Saturday, with only a 20% chance of snow Saturday morning, followed by a sunny Sunday and Monday.
If you’re thinking of heading out for a drive in the snow, you may want to hold off on that unless you live on one of the city’s arterial roads.
The City of Alexandria’s SnowReport website provides a look at current roadway conditions around Alexandria during a snowstorm.
As of 10 a.m., the map shows that most major roads like King Street or Duke Street are cleared, though drivers are still warned to be cautious.
“Snow has been pushed to the sides of the street, leaving visible snow, or cleared down to blacktop, with running water visible,” the website said. “Streets are also treated with salt. Drivers should continue to use caution and expect icy spots and/or snow.”
Most of the residential streets, however, currently remain snow-covered, which the city’s website helpfully defines as “Street is covered with snow.”
#DYK that the City has a Snow Report tool that allows you to see the condition of the roads during a snow event? Try it out for yourself to get an idea of what your trip will be like before leaving your house. https://t.co/UJOuMQ9cvo pic.twitter.com/J6mO6QDHdG
— Alexandria Transportation & Environmental Services (@AlexandriaVATES) January 18, 2024
After getting a snow day on Tuesday, ACPS students and faculty will get a two-hour delay tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.
In a release, Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt said the delay is due to the extreme temperatures and hazardous conditions, with the National Weather Service warning of hazardous conditions as temperatures drop.
According to the release:
All Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) schools and all offices will be opening two hours late on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024 due to extreme temperatures and the potential for hazardous conditions.
Students in Grades Pre-K-12 should report to school two hours later than regular opening time.
Morning Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) programs are canceled for tomorrow, January 17, 2024. Afternoon ECSE will report at the regular opening time and will be dismissed at the regular time.
All essential personnel, including building engineers, custodians, maintenance shop employees and security staff must still report at regular time if safe to do so. Please contact your direct supervisor for reporting instructions.
All non-essential personnel should report two hours later than their regular time.
The National Weather Service warned that even after snow tapers off around noon today, winds are expected to pick up and temperatures could drop.
In a Special Weather Statement, the National Weather Service said slick spots should be expected on some local roadways, even after the snowing stops.
According to the National Weather Service:
…Areas of freezing drizzle through midday. Becoming blustery and turning sharply colder in the afternoon…
Areas of freezing drizzle can be expected from the Blue Ridge and Catoctin Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay until about noon today. Precipitation may change briefly back to snow before it ends with little or no additional snow accumulation expected. As the precipitation ends, expect blustery northwest winds to strengthen and gust to about 30 mph with temperatures decreasing during the afternoon. Expect slick spots on roadways especially over bridges and any untreated surfaces.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for our area until 10 a.m. Temperatures are expected to be in the low 30s.❄️🌡️❄️
If you are in need of place to keep warm, the City offers several locations, including rec. centers, libraries, and a Winter Shelter: https://t.co/BE4dW7yRfM pic.twitter.com/3cilUEODEl
— AlexandriaVAGov (@AlexandriaVAGov) January 16, 2024
Yard waste recycling, recycling and trash were also not collected today due to the snowy weather. Trash collection will slide back two days this week, meaning the Monday collection is on Wednesday, Tuesday collection is on Thursday, etc.
Trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will not be collected today due to inclement weather. This means that collection will "slide" two days this week. For example; Monday collection will now be on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/JKgdqsLvMI
— Alexandria Transportation & Environmental Services (@AlexandriaVATES) January 16, 2024
Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) announced at 6:15 p.m. on Monday that schools and offices would be closed on Tuesday, with students getting a ‘traditional snow day’ rather than switching to virtual learning.
After previously considering switching to virtual classes on any school days that might be closed due to snow, the ACPS website noted that the school division would also consider having some snow days off for students and teachers.
According to a release from ACPS:
Due to the inclement weather forecast, all Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) schools and offices will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. All in-person activities are canceled. This is a traditional snow day and no virtual learning will take place for students.
For more information on our revised instructional plans, please visit the ACPS winter weather decisions webpage.
Please note that due to the school closure, all afternoon and evening activities on ACPS school grounds are also canceled. This includes programming that is provided by community organizations or the City of Alexandria in ACPS facilities or on school grounds, as well as any ACPS athletic, band or other extracurricular activities or community events. Families may want to check with their community service provider to get an update on their changes in operations due to the expected inclement weather. Schools will send information to families regarding any make-up days or new event dates.
All essential personnel, including building engineers, custodians, maintenance shop employees and security staff must still report if safe to do so. Please contact your direct supervisor for reporting instructions.
Update at 1:45 p.m. — Alexandria City Public Schools has canceled all afternoon and evening activities. According to ACPS:
Due to the inclement weather forecast for our region, all afternoon and evening activities scheduled at Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) facilities are canceled at this time.
This cancellation applies to all programming provided by community organizations or the City of Alexandria in ACPS facilities or on school grounds, as well as any ACPS athletic, band or other extracurricular activities or community events. Families may want to check with their community service provider to get an update on their changes in operations due to the expected inclement weather. Schools will send information to families regarding any make-up days or new event dates.
This cancellation does not include any polling locations (located in or connected to schools) related to the special-called School Board elections that are occurring today.
The release noted that ACPS will also be monitoring weather and power outages throughout the night to determine whether schools will open tomorrow.
Earlier: If they haven’t already, anyone living or working within a few blocks of the waterfront might want to get the sandbags ready because the National Weather Service said flooding is inbound.
The National Weather Service put out a Coastal Flood Warning for Alexandria in effect from 4-10 p.m. with the area experiencing hazardous weather conditions.
“For the Coastal Flood Advisory, up to one half foot of inundation above ground level expected in low-lying areas due to tidal flooding,” the warning said. “For the Coastal Flood Warning, one to two feet of inundation above ground level expected in low-lying areas due to tidal flooding.”
Sandbags are being distributed for Alexandria residents and businesses at 133 S. Quaker Lane. Proof of address is required to receive sandbags and there’s a limit of five per address.
A Flood Watch is in effect through Wednesday morning for Alexandria and other nearby localities. The National Weather Service warning says 1.5-3 inches of rain is expected, with amounts of up to 4 or 5 inches possible.
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of creeks and streams as well as urban areas and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the National Weather Service warned.
A High Wind Warning is also in effect until 1 a.m. on Wednesday morning, with winds of 25-40 mph expected and gusts up to 60 mph. The National Weather Service warned that damaging winds could cause power outages and knock over trees.
“Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines,” the National Weather Service warned. “Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”
