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As of 6:15am From AlertDC:

“The District of Columbia Government and Public Schools will be opening today January 6, 2015 on time.

The Federal Office of Personnel Management reports that federal agencies in the Washington, DC area are Open and employees have the option for unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework.

DHS reports the Hypothermia Alert will remain activated. National Weather Service reports the current temperature is 24 degrees. Today’s forecast: Snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible, mainly before noon. High near 34. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon.

When the temperature or wind chill is 32 degrees or below, the District issues a Hypothermia Alert. Those who are homeless, and the general public, may call the Shelter Hotline: 1-800-535-7252 or the Mayor’s Call Center: 311 to get assistance.”

From @DCPoliceDept:

“Snow Advisory – Several Accidents in and around the District. Use Caution, give lots of space. Give the Plow Trucks a wide berth.”

Updated 7am – Not sure if weather related but reports of power outages in Dupont:

“@katy_bedard tweets:

“@PoPville no power in Dupont, around 17th and p. Anyone else?”

@aoconnorND tweets:

“@PoPville no power close to circle at 19th & Corcoran

Reader report power out in parts of Logan Circle too.

no power near 18th and S, either!”

no power on 13th and u either (though street lights are working)”

Update 7:20am:

@CarlynMessinger tweets us:

“@PoPville power out on U Street since about 7, Pepco says it will probably be fixed by 11 #snowpower

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@ktbrry tweets us at 7:15am:

Stalled bus or something not good at 18th and Florida NW.”

Update 7:30am:

@aoconnorND tweets us:

“Fire trucks and power company out at NH and Q. Smells like burning.”

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Update 7:40am:

@jburka tweets us:

“@PoPville traffic lights at S and T on 14th are out. As usual, DC drivers aren’t bothering to treat it like an all way stop.”

Update 7:50am:

@pheebs_wood tweets us:

“Accident at 18th & Florida NW. 2 other metro buses are stopped up the street. @PoPville”

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“@Sara422 tweets us:

@PoPville Power out/traffic lights out at 13th and R, too. Rarely happens on this block.”

From AlertDC:

“Pepco reports a smoking manhole at 18th and New Hampshire Ave. NW. Due to the smoking manhole 6100 customers are without power. Pepco crews are on the scene working to resolve the problem at this time. No restoration time has been given. For information please contact Pepco at 1-877-737-2662″

Update 8am:

@aadragna tweets us:

“Very eerie in Dupont as lights out in all businesses. Street lights working.”

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@robbie_gross tweets us:

“@PoPville H buses also stuck on both sides of Porter St east of Connecticut

LC emails us:

“Just made the trek from Columbia Heights to Logan and it looks like most of the streets are still untreated. This photo shows 14th St. at 7:45 am – where are the plow trucks?”

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Miki J.

National Weather Service confirms:

Today Rain before 11am, then rain and snow. High near 41. North wind 9 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tonight Rain and snow likely before 7pm, then a chance of snow between 7pm and 10pm. Cloudy, with a low around 34. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph becoming light after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thanksgiving Day A chance of rain and snow showers, mainly between 8am and 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Calm wind becoming northwest 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. West wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.”


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Photo by PoPville flickr user brunofish

From a press release:

“Mayor Vincent C. Gray has activated the city’s Cold Emergency Plan in anticipation of frigid, dangerous weather later today through the early morning hours of Wednesday, November 19. Officials at the District’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) have informed the Mayor that conditions exist that require the plan to be activated at 7:00 p.m. this evening. A Cold Emergency Alert is issued whenever the actual or forecast temperature, including the wind-chill factor, falls to 15˚F or to 20˚F with precipitation.

HSEMA, the District’s Department of Human Services and other city agencies have determined that the weather as forecast presents a danger to people out in the cold. By activating a Cold Emergency, Mayor Gray authorizes the District to implement additional measures beyond traditional sheltering, such as warming sites, to keep residents who are homeless warm and safe.

“During what is predicted to be dangerously cold weather, I encourage all to be mindful of persons who might need shelter,” said Mayor Gray. “I am confident District agencies will take every step possible to ensure the safety of our residents in need.”

To request transportation to shelter for people who are homeless, contact the Shelter Hotline at [email protected]. An e-mailed report should include the time when the person was seen, their specific location, and a description of the person’s appearance. Individuals who are homeless who don’t have a cell phone or change for a pay phone should call the Shelter Hotline toll-free at 1-800-535-7252.”


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Photo by PoPville flickr user Huma Imtiaz

We’ve been enjoying lots of beautiful sunsets this Fall but this morning’s sunrise deserves major props as well. As major props also go to PoPville flickr user Huma Imtiaz for capturing it so spectacularly.

And @jburka tweets us a nice slice too:

“Loved this morning’s sunrise in @PoPville”

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Photo by PoPville flickr user available_photons

From the Mayor’s office:

“Mayor Vincent C. Gray, City Administrator Allen Y. Lew and District officials will join the District Snow Team as it prepares for the upcoming snow season by participating in a dry run. Crews from the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will stage in Lot 8 behind RFK Stadium prior to being deployed across the District. More than 250 pieces of heavy equipment will be used during this exercise.

Friday, October 24, 2014 – 9:00 a.m.

This annual exercise is conducted to re-familiarize the District Snow Team with their routes and equipment. Nearly 700 plow drivers will navigate their routes (leaving from RFK Stadium) while administrative, supervisory and logistical support team members also practice their functions at other sites, such as salt domes. This annual test helps ensure that District personnel are ready to keep the city moving during real-life precipitation this winter.”


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Your predictions are in – now for the professionals from AccuWeather:

“After record-shattering temperatures and high snow totals last winter in the Northeast, a similar theme will continue into the 2014-2015 season.

Cold air will surge into the Northeast in late November, but the brunt of the season will hold off until January and February. The polar vortex, the culprit responsible for several days of below-zero temperatures last year, will slip down into the region from time to time, delivering blasts of arctic air.”


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@ddeschryver tweets us

“@PoPville tornado warning at navy yard. Here it comes.”

UPDATE from Alert DC:

“National Weather Service reports they have issued a tornado warning for the District of Columbia until 1 PM. Please stay indoors in an inner room away from windows and doors.”

UPDATE 12:50pm:

“The National Weather Service reports the tornado warning has been canceled for the District.”


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Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99

From DC Alerts:

“The National Weather Service (NWS) reports a strong cold front will impact the region Wednesday into early Thursday. The potential exists for heavy rainfall and flooding in and around the District. NWS expects a few strong thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts of up to 50 to 60 MPH will be possible starting late morning Wednesday continuing through rush hour with the heaviest of the rainfall tapering off Wednesday night. Expect light rain to continue through Thursday.

Minor coastal flooding is likely along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay and tidal Potomac River Wednesday into Thursday. Moderate coastal flooding is also possible at sensitive sites Wednesday and Wednesday night.

Please clear all catch basins and drains to prevent flooding”


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By now you’ve probably seen or heard of the ridiculous Empire News hoax prediction of a brutal winter. Even before that went viral I started hearing from folks that there is a legend saying acorns falling this early means a brutal winter is coming. I’d never heard that one before but a few other folks I spoke to said they’d heard of it. Anyone else ever hear that one before? So just for fun – what do you think this winter holds in store for us? Are you rooting for mild or snowy? Hard to believe it’s been 5 years since Snowmageddon.



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