Federal Offices In DC Closed Due to Winter Storm

WASHINGTON —Federal offices in Washington, D.C. and a number of public schools in the region are closed Monday due to the first significant snow storm of the winter.

According to the National Weather Service, between 5 and 10 inches of snow are likely to fall in Washington, D.C. by late afternoon, with as much as a foot of snow falling south and east of the city.

Lighter accumulations of 1 to 4 inches are expected in and around Baltimore, forecasters said.

As a result of the forecast, the Office of Personnel Management announced Sunday night that all federal offices in Washington, D.C. would be closed today, though emergency employees and telework employees are expected to continue to work.

The White House also announced that the daily press briefing would be canceled due to the winter weather on Monday.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area early Monday morning, which will remain in effect until 4 p.m. eastern time. 

In closing its facilities due to the inclement weather, the National Press Club, which is two blocks from the White House, said roads in the area were still “untreated and unsafe” as of about 9 a.m.

Despite the weather, the Senate will return to Capitol Hill today with its first order of business being to consider the nomination of Gabriel Sanchez to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the 9th Circuit.

The House is also expected to convene today for a pro forma session. 

Maryland and Virginia shut down COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites Monday ahead of the winter storm, and scores of public schools are closed throughout the region.

In the District of Columbia, Monday was already a day off as part of winter break, but because the storm’s arrival coincides with a new district policy regarding students needing to get a COVID test before they can return to class, the break has been extended by a day.

In a press release from the city, D.C. Mayor Marion Bowser said students must now be tested on Wednesday (as opposed to the original deadline of Tuesday) and submit their negative test results by Wednesday afternoon.

Despite the extension for students, all D.C. public school staff need to report their COVID test results before 1 p.m. Wednesday.

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