The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter storm watch, which is in effect tomorrow morning through late Thursday night. A winter storm watch means there is a potential for significant snow accumulations that may impact travel. The NWS forecast for D.C. is for accumulations of 2-4 inches. Snow may mix with rain at the onset of the storm Thursday morning before changing to all snow late Thursday morning and afternoon. Snow also is expected tomorrow night, possibly adding up to an additional 1-2 inches. Snow may be heavy at times during the afternoon and evening hours.
If you live or work in the National Capital Region, you are encouraged to get where you need to be before the weather gets bad. Roads may become snow covered, especially during the evening rush hour.
- By staying off the roads, Department of Transportation crews are more easily able to access roads that need treatment, snow plows can more freely clear roads and get to areas needing plowing.
- By staying off the roads, regional public safety officials can respond more quickly to residents in need of emergency services.
- Getting where you need to be instead of staying at work during the height of the storm may require you to take a couple of hours of personal leave, but leaving early enough to avoid bad weather and traffic gridlock caused by slippery road conditions is worth the investment.
Finally, consider teleworking tomorrow if that’s an option for where you work. The fewer vehicles on roads tomorrow the easier it will be to get them cleared.
For federal employees -- and businesses and organizations that follow the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for closings/delays -- that information is available online here, as well as the OPM website.
###
About the National Capital Region The National Capital Region (NCR) is a collection of sovereign jurisdictions, including cities, counties, states and the District of Columbia. This website and the efforts of the region's communicators and public information officers will focus on regional collaboration between the region's homeland security partners to achieve a safe and secure National Capital Region.
Local government officials from across the National Capital Region are asking residents to take common-sense steps to prepare for the upcoming 57th Presidential Inauguration. Inaugural activities will take place beginning on Sunday, Jan. 20, through Monday, Jan. 21, with the public inaugural ceremonies scheduled for Monday, Jan. 21.
The closer you live to or work in the District of Columbia will increase the potential impacts you may experience due to the inaugural activities. Residents and visitors to D.C. and the inauguration are encouraged to consider the following:
Make a Plan
- Consider teleworking on Jan. 21 if possible. Carpool if you are traveling into the District of Columbia. Cars will be restricted from some parts of the city and it will be difficult to find parking.
- Although Jan. 21 is a federal holiday and a holiday in many jurisdictions, some localities are enforcing weekday parking regulations. Be sure to plan ahead.
- Bring your patience because there will be delays getting to your destination. Some roads, bridges and highways may be closed temporarily, and mass transit systems will be extremely crowded. http://inauguration.dc.gov/page/getting-there
- Visit www.inauguration.dc.gov to get information about road, bridge and highway closures, parking restrictions and mass transit plans.
- Sign up to D.C. Alerts for real-time information on Jan. 21 about road closures, weather and more. Subscribe at www.inauguration.dc.gov. Receive emergency notifications, alerts and information about the 2013 Inauguration from the United States Park Police. www.capitalregionupdates.gov/clients/4063/517915.pdf
- Information also will be available prior to and during Inauguration day on social media sites such as Twitter. To see Inauguration related material on Twitter, use #inaug2013. Some of the Twitter sites being used to communicate information from the Inaugural public safety and security partners include:
- District Department of Transportation - @ddotdc
- Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies - @jccic2013
- Joint Task Force-National Capital Region - @JTFNCR
- National Terrorism Advisory System - @NTASAlerts
- Office of the D.C. Mayor - @MayorVinceGray
- Secret Service - @SecretService
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security - @DHSgov
- WMATA - @metroinaug
Be Prepared
- If you plan to attend any inaugural events, consider whether you can stand outside in large crowds for an extended period and whether you are ready for long delays getting home afterwards.
- Bring with you any medications that you need because there will be very long delays in getting to and from events.
- There will be a heightened level of security for the inauguration. All parade and event attendees are subject to a thorough security screening before entering any of the Inaugural event sites. Many items are also prohibited. Visit http://inauguration.dc.gov/page/spectator-information for more details.
The National Capital Region – which is comprised of 11 local jurisdictions, two states and the District of Columbia – prepares for disasters collaboratively across jurisdictional boundaries, bringing together elected officials, emergency management, law enforcement, fire and public health personnel, along with the nonprofit and private sectors.
###
About the National Capital Region The National Capital Region (NCR) is a collection of sovereign jurisdictions, including cities, counties, states and the District of Columbia. This website and the efforts of the region's communicators and public information officers will focus on regional collaboration between the region's homeland security partners to achieve a safe and secure National Capital Region.
57th Presidential Inauguration
Activities for the 57th Presidential Inaugural will occur Sunday, Jan. 20, through Monday, Jan. 21, with the Inaugural ceremonies scheduled for Monday, Jan. 21. Find inauguration information resources...
This brochure is specifically tailored to employees at the workplace and the National Capital Region and provides information on being informed, making a plan, building a kit and getting involved.
Get Alerts from Your Jurisdiction
Quick Poll
About the National Capital Region
The National Capital Region (NCR) is a collection of sovereign jurisdictions, including cities, counties, states and the District of Columbia. This website and the efforts of the region's communicators and public information officers will focus on regional collaboration between the region's homeland security partners to achieve a safe and secure National Capital Region. Below are the jurisdictions that comprise the National Capital Region:
