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NEW: Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued for Alexandria

Clear skies on June 26, but thunderstorm watch issued for this evening (staff photo by James Cullum)

Might want to stay inside: a severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for Alexandria and other nearby localities.

The watch is in effect until 9 p.m. but the National Weather Service said the storms are forecast to hit the I-95 corridor during evening rush hour and storms could persist overnight.

The National Weather Service said the storm could bring wind gusts and large hail, urging those in the affected areas to seek shelter if the watch gets escalated to a warning.

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Notes: It’s the last week of school in Alexandria

Good Monday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 8am. High near 79. South wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. At night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a slight chance of showers between 11pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 60. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

🚨 You need to know

Summer vacation is within sight, as this is the last week of the 2022-2023 school year for Alexandria City Public Schools. The last official day of school is Thursday, June 15.

All ACPS students and children are still eligible to get free meals when they go to a Summer Breakfast and Lunch program site every Monday to Thursday from June 26 to July 10. Meal distribution will not occur on Tuesday, July 4.

ACPS Summer Breakfast and Lunch Program (via ACPS)

The schedule for breakfast and lunch is below.

ACPS Summer Breakfast and Lunch Program schedule (via ACPS)

📈 Friday’s most read

The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Jun 9, 2023.

  1. Southern Towers gets a visit from the director of the Federal Housing Finance Administration (2754 views)
  2. UPDATED: Police activity shut down Mount Vernon Avenue Bridge earlier today (1989 views)
  3. ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria (570 views)
  4. ACPS: George Mason Elementary students and teachers could change schools mid-year (538 views)

🐦 Tweets of note

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on today in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

  • No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
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Alexandria City Public Schools announce new precautions due to smoke

The region has hit air quality level Code Maroon and Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) has announced some new precautions for today to minimize exposure to hazardous conditions.

In a release, ACPS said that schools will continue normal operations, but all physical education classes and recess will be held inside. All outdoor field trips have also been rescheduled.

“This step is taken in accordance with the guidance from the National Weather Service to minimize exposure to potentially harmful air conditions,” ACPS said in the alert. “We urge all families and staff members to be cautious and follow the recommended guidelines for limited outdoor exposure on this code Maroon air quality day.”

According to ACPS:

We want to inform you that today we are under a code Maroon for air quality, as advised by the National Weather Advisory for northern Virginia. The well-being of our students and staff is our utmost priority, and we are taking necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

While all schools will continue normal operations at this time, as a precaution and in accordance with ACPS policy, all physical education classes and recess will be held indoors.

In light of the air quality alert, we have decided to reschedule all future outdoor field trips. This step is taken in accordance with the guidance from the National Weather Service to minimize exposure to potentially harmful air conditions.

We urge all families and staff members to be cautious and follow the recommended guidelines for limited outdoor exposure on this code Maroon air quality day.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Sincerely,

Marcia Jackson, Ed.D.
Chief of Student Services and Equity

The City of Alexandria also reiterated an earlier warning for locals to keep outdoor activities brief and avoid strenuous activities.

The Alexandria Library also announced that outdoor events may be canceled or rescheduled due to the smokey conditions.

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Notes: Alexandria’s yellow Metro line reopens

Good Monday morning, Alexandria!

☔ Today’s weather: Passing showers. Overcast. Mild. High of 66 and low of 53.
☔ Tomorrow: Rain. Cloudy. Mild. High of 71 and low of 57. Sunrise at 6:01 am and sunset at 8:07 pm.

🚨 You need to know

After eight months, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority reopened it’s yellow line on Sunday. The line has been out of service since September to allow work on the Potomac River tunnel and bridge.

“The work included replacing over 1,000 individual steel plates held together by more than 12,000 bolts in the tunnel and replacing 88 bearings on the bridge,” according to WMATA. “The project also upgraded the fire suppression system on the 3,000-foot bridge and removed and replaced miles of critical communications cables used by multiple regional partners.”

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The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for May 5, 2023.

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  3. ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria (798 views)
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🗞 Other local coverage

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on today in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

  • No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.
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Notes: APD ‘determined’ to reduce crime near Braddock Road Metro after more shots fired

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

🌥 Today’s weather: Cloudy. Mild. High of 69 and low of 51.
🌥 Tomorrow: Cloudy. Mild. High of 72 and low of 52. Sunrise at 6:05 am and sunset at 8:04 pm.

🚨 You need to know

More gunfire was reported near the Braddock Road Metro station yesterday afternoon, prompting the Alexandria Police Department to tweet that it’s “determined” to solve recent crime issues.

“APD has taken action by installing cameras and increasing police presence in the area to ensure everyone’s safety,” APD tweeted. “No one has been hurt, but we’re determined to prevent any potential harm by keeping a police presence there until we resolve this violence.”

Thursday’s incident occurred in the same block as a number of recent shootings. The city is experiencing a crime surge, and police are fighting it by increasing patrols in high-crime areas, installing mobile camera units and hosting community events.

📈 Thursday’s most read

The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for May 4, 2023.

  1. JUST IN: Police investigating shots fired incident near Braddock Road Metro station (1834 views)
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  3. Notes: Alexandria driver killed in hit-and-run in D.C. | ALXnow (727 views)
  4. JUST IN: Melanie Kay-Wyatt announced as Alexandria City Public Schools superintendent (516 views)

🗞 Other local coverage

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on today and this weekend in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

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Coastal Flood Watch issued for Alexandria

Sandbags piled up outside a business in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Watch for Alexandria, Arlington and D.C.

The Coastal Flood Watch will go into effect from midnight to 7 a.m. on Saturday (April 29).

NWS forecasts a 100% chance of rain Friday night, and says to expect up to one foot of “inundation above ground level” in low-lying areas due to tidal flooding. The weather service predicts a 60% chance of rain after 2 p.m. Saturday, and an 80% chance of rain all day Sunday.

“Water is expected to approach buildings near King Street and Union Street (in Old Town),” NWS said in the advisory. “Tides two-and-a-half feet above normal (are expected).”

Alexandria’s Potomac River waterfront in Old Town is prone to flooding, and high tide is at around 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m.

“If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be closed,” NWS advised. “Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property.”

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JUST IN: Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued for Alexandria

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect in Alexandria until 10 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2023 (via NWS/Twitter)

Alexandria is under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 10 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

According to NWS:

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 10 p.m. A few storms may be severe with damaging wind gusts and large hail.

Forecasters predict that this week’s warm weather is on its way out. NWS anticipates freezing temperatures returning in the overnight and early morning hours of Saturday night through Monday morning.

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Notes: Alexandria named ‘one of the best places to travel’ by Money Magazine

It’s a beautiful spring morning in Alexandria!

Today’s weather: Mostly sunny with a high of 72 degrees during the day, and cloudy with a low of 56 degrees tonight.

🚨 You need to know

Alexandria has been named one of the best places to visit, Patch first reported.

Money Magazine listed the city as a top destination, and called the city a “lux jumping-off point for D.C.-area visits.“

According to Money Magazine:

Along the King Street Mile in Old Town, you’ll find charming cobblestone streets lined with lanterns, outdoor cafes, Instagram-worthy murals and trendy bars. There’s also a vibrant art community — explore the many galleries or peek in at artists at work at the Torpedo Factory Art Center.

Other local coverage

Tweets of note

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Wind Advisory now in effect for Alexandria

Watch out, there are some strong winds around Alexandria and the surrounding localities.

Gusty winds are expected to persist throughout the day an into the overnight hours Wednesday. With gusts of up to 50 mph, downed trees and power outages are possible.

More from the National Weather Service:

523 AM EDT Tue Mar 14 2023

…WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM THIS MORNING TO 2 AM EDT WEDNESDAY…

* WHAT…Northwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.

* WHERE…Portions of central, north central, northeast, northern and southern Maryland, The District of Columbia and northern and northwest Virginia.

* WHEN…From 9 AM this morning to 2 AM EDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

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VDOT: Consider holiday travel today, storms inbound on Thursday and Friday

A snow plow drives down Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria, Jan. 3, 2022 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) says drivers heading out for the holidays should consider starting a little early, with heavy storms likely to affect travel over the next few days.

In an alert, VDOT said today is the best day to travel, given the forecast.

“Drivers should expect roads to be impacted Thursday and Friday,” VDOT said. “Today will be the best day for holiday travel. Adjust travel plans and avoid all nonessential travel during the height of the storm. This helps to avoid deteriorating conditions and to allow crews room to work.”

VDOT said crews are already pretreating and brining roads, with trucks deployed early Thursday morning to treat roads as needed.

According to the release:

Please continue to monitor forecasts closely as forecasts can improve or worsen quickly. The National Weather Service forecast shows winter weather will impact the region from overnight Wednesday through Friday. The forecast shows the potential for periods of freezing rain and sleet, as well as below-freezing temperatures, heavy rain, and high winds. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for western Loudoun County starting at 4 a.m. Thursday.

Additionally, the National Weather Service has issued an areal flood watch for Alexandria, advising locals not to drive through water on roadways and to avoid small streams.

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