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.”
You might want to rethink any plans you made for the first weekend of the new year.
Meteorologists forecast a significant winter storm this weekend, with rain and snow kicking off sometime after 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6. The forecasts put the chance of precipitation at 80%, going up to 90% overnight.
There’s a chance of snow continuing on Sunday morning, though it should clear up by Sunday night and Monday morning.
The National Weather Service predicted an “enhanced winter storm threat” with possible closures and impacts to travel.
Alexandria had a mostly snow-less 2023, though there was a light dusting early last month.
Alexandrians traveling for the holiday should be aware the area will likely see some rain this week, but things should clear up on Thanksgiving.
The National Weather Service said rain will likely start on Tuesday after 10 a.m.
According to the forecast:
Rain, mainly after 10am. High near 54. East wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
The forecast calls for rain continuing into the night with temperatures around 48 and high winds.
On Wednesday, there’s a roughly 20% chance for rain before 10 a.m. in the area with partly sunny skies.
Thanksgiving day, however, should be sunny with a high near 55.
Rain could be returning after that, though, with a 40% chance of precipitation throughout Friday.
Trick-or-treaters last night might have noticed a chill in the air and the National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed it’s likely to get colder tonight.
The NWS has issued a freeze warning from 11 p.m. this evening (Wednesday) to 10 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday). The source is a cold front pushing through the region with potentially hazardous driving conditions tonight.
Cold & brisk conditions expected today as a cold front pushes through the region. Upslope snow showers continue in the Alleghenies through late morning, with some hazardous driving conditions. Freezing temperatures are expected across the area tonight. #MDwx #WVwx #VAwx #DCwx pic.twitter.com/fNiIhN3O9K
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) November 1, 2023
According to the NWS:
…FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EDT
THURSDAY…* WHAT…Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 25 expected.
* WHERE…Portions of central, northern, northeast, and southern
Maryland, The District of Columbia, central and northern
Virginia, and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.* WHEN…From 11 PM this evening to 10 AM EDT Thursday.
* IMPACTS…Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other
sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor
plumbing.
NWS said locals should take steps to protect tender plants from the cold. Outdoor water pipes should be wrapped, drained or allowed to drip slowly to prevent freezing or possible bursting. Those with in-ground sprinkler systems should drain and cover above-ground pipes.
As for whether Alexandria will have a snowy winter season, experts were mixed earlier this year on the chances for snow, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicting higher than-average temperatures in Northern Virginia this winter but Washington Post predicting above-average snowfall.