weather

Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.

From the Mayor’s office:

“Pedestrians and motorists are urged to travel with caution. Property owners are asked to apply abrasives to sidewalks prior to storm’s start.

Mayor Muriel Bowser has directed the DC Snow Team to go into a full deployment Monday, January 12. The District will deploy more than 200 plows by 3:00 a.m., based on predictions of a mix of freezing rain/sleet and rain mixed with sleet and temperatures between 30°F and 33°F early Monday morning. Temperatures are expected to rise above freezing Monday afternoon to
38°F-41°F.

Freezing rain can leave a coating of ice on roadways and sidewalks, so the Snow Team will apply salt to roadways. Property owners are asked to put abrasives (deicer, rock salt or non-clumping kitty litter) on their sidewalks before the storm starts.

The deployment plan is developed and implemented based on predictions made by the weather services; however, predictions may change after the plan has been implemented. Under those circumstances, the District Snow Team will pivot as best as possible to meet the new conditions.

Leaf and holiday tree collections are suspended and will resume after the streets are cleared.

DPW will make every effort to follow its trash and recycling collections schedule; however, conditions in some neighborhoods may prevent collections from being made. Residents should hold onto their trash/recycling until the next collection day.”

@MarisaBluestone tweets us:

“@PoPville work on New Hampshire and q”

and @aexia tweets:

“18th Street outage has gone from 11am to 5pm now. Not going to be a fun day for the kitties at home”

Update 3:40pm:

@MelGallantDC tweets us:

“@PoPville New estimate for power in Dupont is 7 pm.”

@cortney_dc tweets us:

“Snapshot of #dctraffic right now. I feel grateful to have left early. Stay safe. @PoPville @capitalweather via Google”

Fortunately @Kevin_Barta tweets us this more pleasing image below:

Photo by PoPville flickr user Chris Williams

From the National Weather Service:

“…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST THIS
AFTERNOON…

* PRECIPITATION TYPE…SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS…2 TO 4 INCHES…ISOLATED 5 INCHES POSSIBLE
UNDER THE HEAVIEST BANDS.

* TIMING…UNTIL 1 PM. THE HEAVIEST SNOW WILL BE THROUGH 11 AM.

* TEMPERATURES…UPPER 20S.

* WINDS…SOUTH 5 TO 10 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 20 MPH.

* IMPACTS…SNOW ACCUMULATING ON SURFACES WELL BELOW FREEZING
WILL MAKE FOR VERY HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS.”

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”

@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.”

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”

“@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.”

@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?”

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%.”

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.”

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”