weather

From DC Water:

“Prepare your Pipes for the Next Cold Snap–and what to do if they freeze–

PREVENT FROZEN PIPES
There are steps you can take to help prevent the pipes in your home from freezing or breaking.

Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to the outside, such as outdoor hose outlets, water sprinkler lines and water pipes in unheated interior areas such as kitchen cabinets, attics, garages, basements and crawl spaces.

Before cold weather arrives, you may want to follow these recommendations:
• Remove, drain, and store garden hoses.
• Close the inside valves that control the water supply to outside hose attachments (hose bibs).
• Open the outside hose bibs to allow any water in the line to drain out. Keep this valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.
• You may want to install a pipe sleeve for water pipes that are not insulated. Building supply stores carry these and other supplies for insulating pipes.
• If you go away for an extended time during cold weather, leave the thermostat set above 55 degrees before you leave.
• In severely cold weather, allow cold water to drip from faucets served by exposed pipes. The cold water is still above freezing and will help prevent the pipe from freezing.

IF YOUR PIPES FREEZE, GENTLY THAW (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user kenudigit

From OPM:

“Status: Open – 2 hours Delayed Arrival – With Option for Unscheduled Leave or Unscheduled Telework

Federal agencies in the Washington, DC, area are OPEN under 2 hours DELAYED ARRIVAL and employees have the OPTION FOR UNSCHEDULED LEAVE OR UNSCHEDULED TELEWORK. Employees should plan to arrive for work no more than 2 hours later than they would be expected to arrive.”

From @mayorvincegray:

“DC Government will open on a two-hour delay on Wednesday, January 22. @dcpublicschools will remain CLOSED due to weather.”

From WMATA:

“Metrorail
Rail service will run on a regular weekday schedule. Check wmata.com before starting your trip or sign up for MetroAlerts to receive updated service information by email or text message.

Metrobus
Bus service will begin Wednesday on snow emergency routing. During this time, Metrobuses will only operate on designated snow routes as indicated on our website.”

From DPW:

“On Wednesday, January 22nd, the Department of Public Works is collecting Tuesday’s trash and recyclables as road conditions permit. As a result of the snow storm, some untreated alleys may not be passable with a large truck. DPW is requesting that residents with alley collections whose trash and/or recyclables are not collected pull their containers back onto their properties. Collections will be made on the next regularly scheduled service day.

Residents with bulk appointments also can expect those collections to be made as road conditions permit. If you have a bulk appointment for Wednesday, January 22nd and the items are not collected, please call 311 to reschedule your collection day.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user ianseanlivingston

From DC.gov:

“The District of Columbia Government and DCPS schools are closed Tuesday, January 21. Be safe all.”

From Alert DC:

“OPM reports that Federal Offices in the Washington, DC, area are CLOSED. Emergency and telework-ready employees required to work must follow their agency’s policies, including written telework agreements.”

“WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING
TO 11 PM EST THIS EVENING…
…WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON
EST WEDNESDAY…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON HAS
ISSUED A WIND CHILL ADVISORY…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS
EVENING TO NOON EST WEDNESDAY. A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SNOW
REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM UNTIL 11 PM EST.

* PRECIPITATION TYPE…SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS…6 TO 10 INCHES.

* TIMING…SNOW WILL DEVELOP BETWEEN 7 AM AND 10 AM THIS MORNING.
THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS EXPECTED DURING THE MIDDAY AND AFTERNOON
HOURS. SNOW WILL TAPER OFF THIS EVENING.

* WIND CHILL…BETWEEN 5 AND 15 DEGREES BELOW ZERO TONIGHT THROUGH
WEDNESDAY MORNING.

* TEMPERATURES…DROPPING INTO THE 20S THIS MORNING…THEN FALLING
INTO THE TEENS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. LOW TEMPERATURES
TONIGHT WILL BE IN THE SINGLE DIGITS. HIGH TEMPERATURES
WEDNESDAY WILL BE IN THE TEENS.”

From MPD:

“Currently, it looks like the snow will start in the morning and become heavier around noon. The snow will remain heavy throughout the evening rush hour. Additionally, the air temperatures will remain frigid over the next several days with periods in the single digits and wind chills up to -10 degrees.

These extreme temperatures can be particularly dangerous; so, as with before, please ensure that you keep an eye on your neighbors, the elderly, and call the hypothermia hotline (1 (800) 535-7252) if you see anyone in need of services. Also, please stay off the streets if at all possible so that our snow plows and emergency vehicles can safely navigate the roadways in these snowy conditions.”

From WMATA:

“Metrorail: Rail service is expected to start the day on a regular weekday schedule; however, service levels may be reduced later in the day due to expected low ridership and deteriorating weather conditions. For your safety, travel only if necessary. If you must travel, plan to arrive at your destination before the worst of the storm, and be prepared to remain there until the storm passes.”

From Smithsonian’s National Zoo:

“Due to the impending snow, the Zoo is closed today. Stay safe!”

@foodcraveblog tweets us around 3:45pm:

“The line to get into the parking garage at trader joes in foggy bottom.”

Capital Weather Gang explains how it can snow when it feels like spring right now:

“An arctic front in advancing south and east (coming through this evening), and temperatures will steadily drop to below freezing by dawn…enough cold air and enough moisture will arrive to overcome today’s warmth.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user grit and whatever

From Alert DC:

“The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for he entire Washington DC Metro Area…which is in effect from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening.

* Precipitation Type…Snow

* Accumulations…Potential for five inches or more.

* Timing…Tuesday Morning through Tuesday Evening. The heaviest snow will be late Tuesday Morning through Tuesday Afternoon.

* Temperatures…Dropping into the teens.

* WINDS…Becoming North 10 to 15 MPH with gust around 25 MPH Tuesday Afternoon and Evening.

* Impacts…Roads will be snow covered and slippery. The combination of snow and blowing snow will reduce visibility to below one-half mile at times. Travelling may be dangerous Tuesday. The morning and evening commute may be impacted by the snow.”

I’m gonna say this weather event met the hype. After walking only four blocks my cheekbones felt like they were about to fall off. Fortunately my ten month old baby is far tougher than I. She just hummed the whole walk while I cried.