Capitol Hill area residents should prepare for a lot of snow and powerful winds this weekend.
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard watch for D.C. from Friday afternoon to Saturday night. The watch says that conditions are expected to be worst on Friday afternoon, with heavy snow and strong winds causing “potential life threatening conditions.”
The District government has also activated its “Cold Emergency Plan,” guaranteeing shelter for all homeless individuals. To request shelter transport for D.C. residents who are homeless and on the street, contact the shelter hotline at [email protected], 202-399-7093 or 1-800-535-7252.
Meteorologists are expecting between one and two feet of snow to fall in the District between Friday and Sunday, making this one of the largest snow storms ever in D.C.
This will also be the first snow storm since Mayor Muriel Bowser signed a law allowing the Department of Public Works to fine homeowners and business owners who do not remove snow and ice from paved sidewalks adjacent to their property. Fines are set at $25 for residential properties and $150 for commercial properties.
Homeowners who are 65-years-old or older and those with disabilities are exempt under the law and will not be fined.
The District is under a coastal flood advisory until noon today due to unusually high tides.
The National Weather Service warns that coastal areas in the District may experience minor flooding during high tide this morning as tides are about 1.5 feet higher than normal. An advisory is the least severe type of flood warning that the NWS issues, indicating a risk of minor “nuisance flooding” in low-lying waterfront areas.
According to the advisory, the risk for flooding will be highest during high tide around 10 a.m. this morning.
Unusually high tides called king tides are common along the East coast in the fall, according to the Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang. Minor flooding associated with king tides is expected to become more common in the District as sea levels rise.
Flash Flood Watch Issued for Friday, Saturday — The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for Friday and Saturday in anticipation of 2 to 4 inches of rain. [Washington Post]
Enterprise Rent-A-Car Set to Open in Waterfront Station — Enterprise Rent-A-Car is planning to move into a retail space in Waterfront Station at 1100 4th St. SW. [SWTLQTC]
District Files to Seize Part of D.C. United Stadium Land — Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office filed for eminent domain to take over the final two acres of the future D.C. United stadium location on Buzzard Point after failing to reach a deal with the land’s owner. [Washington City Paper]
New App Created to Promote Barracks Row, Navy Yard Businesses — CSX, the railroad company that is replacing the Virginia Avenue Tunnel, released a neighborhood guide app intended to help workers and residents find local businesses. [The Hill Is Home]
Flash Flood Watch Issued for D.C. — The Capitol Hill area will be under a flash flood watch starting at 4 p.m. [Washington Post]
Capitol Hill Residents Unhappy Over Police Classification of Gunfire Incident — Locals at a community meeting on gunfire near Stanton Park over the weekend expressed frustration that police classified the incident as “destruction of property” and haven’t released a suspect description. No injuries were reported in the incident. [FOX 5]
Hank’s Oyster Bar Planned for Southwest — Chef and restaurateur Jamie Leeds said she plans to open a fourth Hank’s Oyster Bar at The Wharf. The location will be called Hank’s on the Water. [Washington City Paper]
Running Group on Capitol Hill Helps Homeless Find Hope — The D.C. chapter of Back on My Feet on Capitol Hill uses running to help people who are homeless and battling addiction recover and build a new life. [WTOP]
A line of strong storms is on its way through Capitol Hill.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the District until 2:45 p.m.
Winds in excess of 60 miles per hour are possible with the storm, according to the National Weather Service.
Photo via Wikimedia/U.S. Air Force
Strong storms could hit the Capitol Hill area later today.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the District until 9 p.m.
The best chance for storms in D.C. is around 5 p.m., the Capital Weather Gang reported.
The storms could bring large hail and damaging winds, according to a D.C. government alert.
Photo via Wikimedia/U.S. Air Force
Flash Flood Watch — The District is under a flash flood watch from late tonight to late tomorrow night. The National Weather Services predicts the D.C. area will receive 1 to 3 inches of rain this weekend. [National Weather Service]
Alfresco Dining on H Street NE — Ocopa, a Peruvian restaurant on the H Street corridor, on Saturday is debuting a year-round patio, which will add 30 new seats and a bar to its existing space. The bar will serve Tiki and frozen pisco drinks, as well as ceviche. [Eater]
D.C. General’s ‘Master Dong’ — Dong Kim, also known as “Master Dong,” is bringing fresh fruit, as well as his gardening, meditation and martial arts expertise, to children at the D.C. General homeless shelter. [Washington Post]
When You Have to Go… — Metro union official James Madaras has revealed that many Metrobus drivers are forced to urinate while driving due to a lack of restroom access while at work. Metro denied the claim, saying, “Metrobus operators have access to restroom facilities on virtually every trip.” [DCist]
Photo via Twitter/CharlesAllenW6
Storms that could bring gusty winds and hail are headed toward the Capitol Hill area.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the District until 11 p.m.
Thunderstorms will start to form over the D.C metropolitan area between 5 and 5:30 p.m., according to a D.C. government alert.
Photo via Twitter/SenateSergeantAtArms
Remnants of Tropical Storm Bill could leave the Capitol Hill area with more than three inches of rain this weekend.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch from Saturday evening to Sunday morning for the District.
“Showers and thunderstorms will increase in coverage from west to east late Saturday afternoon and continue into Sunday morning,” the National Weather Service said. “Some of the storms will contain torrential downpours which could lead to flash flooding.”
Photo via Wikimedia/U.S. Air Force
Capitol Hill residents should prepare for more storms and possible flooding tonight.
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch through 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, warning that downpours may lead to flash flooding in urban areas.
From the NWS:
FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT
THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR
* PORTIONS OF MARYLAND…MD…THE THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA…
VIRGINIA AND WEST VIRGINIA…INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS…
IN MARYLAND…ANNE ARUNDEL…CARROLL…CHARLES…FREDERICK…
NORTHERN BALTIMORE…PRINCE GEORGES AND SOUTHERN BALTIMORE. IN
MD…CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST HOWARD…CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST
MONTGOMERY…NORTHWEST HARFORD…NORTHWEST HOWARD…NORTHWEST
MONTGOMERY AND SOUTHEAST HARFORD. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN
VIRGINIA…ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA…CLARKE…
CULPEPER…EASTERN LOUDOUN…FAIRFAX…FREDERICK…GREENE…
MADISON…NORTHERN FAUQUIER…NORTHERN VA BLUE RIDGE…
ORANGE…PAGE…PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK…
RAPPAHANNOCK…ROCKINGHAM…SHENANDOAH…SOUTHERN FAUQUIER…
SPOTSYLVANIA…STAFFORD…WARREN AND WESTERN LOUDOUN. IN WEST
VIRGINIA…HAMPSHIRE…HARDY AND JEFFERSON.* THROUGH LATE TONIGHT
* SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL INCREASE IN COVERAGE THROUGH THIS
EVENING AND CONTINUE THROUGH THROUGH LATE TONIGHT. SOME OF THE
STORMS WILL CONTAIN TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS WHICH MAY LEAD TO FLASH
FLOODING. AVERAGE RAINFALL AMOUNTS BETWEEN ONE TO TWO INCHES ARE
EXPECTED…BUT LOCALIZED AMOUNTS IN EXCESS OF THREE INCHES ARE
POSSIBLE IN HEAVIER THUNDERSTORMS. RAINFALL RATES AROUND ONE TO
TWO INCHES PER HOUR ARE EXPECTED IN HEAVIER THUNDERSTORMS.
RECENT RAINFALL HAS SATURATED SOILS WHICH WILL ALSO INCREASE THE
THREAT FOR FLASH FLOODING DURING THIS TIME.* HEAVY RAINFALL IN SHORT PERIODS OF TIME MAY CAUSE RAPID RISES
ON CREEKS AND STREAMS AS WELL AS FLASH FLOODING IN URBAN
AREAS.
Photo via Wikimedia/U.S. Air Force
The Capitol Hill area is under a severe thunderstorm watch as storms move in from Maryland and Virginia.
The National Weather Service issued the watch until 7 p.m. for the District and much of the D.C. metropolitan area.
Storms will strengthen over the next several hours and could bring damaging winds and hail, according to the National Weather Service.
The storms likely will hit the District between 3 and 7 p.m., the Capital Weather Gang reported.
Photo via Wikimedia/U.S. Air Force
The sky over Capitol Hill is clouding over, and a tornado is possible.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for all of the District this afternoon. The watch will be in effect until 10 p.m.
Downpours are already being reported in the region. Any tornadoes are most likely to occur north of D.C., according to Capital Weather Gang.
Image via National Weather Service DC/Baltimore
(Updated at 7:20 a.m. Thursday) District officials are preparing for a snowstorm Thursday, warning locals to move cars from emergency routes and leave extra time for Metro trips.
An official snow emergency starts in D.C. at 7 a.m. Thursday, with 4 to 8 inches in the forecast for Capitol Hill. More than 200 snow trucks will hit the streets starting at 2 a.m., according to an advisory from the city.
D.C. Public Schools, D.C. government and federal offices are closed Thursday, officials announced.
Rain and sleet are expected Wednesday night into Thursday morning. The snowstorm is predicted to hit during the day Thursday, gradually clearing by nightfall.
Here’s what to expect:
Parking: Drivers are advised to move their cars off snow emergency routes before 7 a.m. Thursday to make way for plows. If your car is impounded, you’ll be charged $350, plus $20 each day the vehicle is stored. Snow emergency routes on the Hill include Constitution Avenue, Independence Avenue and H Street. The full map of snow emergency routes can be viewed here.
Sidewalks: Residents are asked to put salt, de-icer or non-clumping cat litter on sidewalks before the storm hits.
Metro: Efforts will be made to maintain normal Metrorail service, officials said. Buses will run on a moderate snow plan, with some expected detours and delays. A list of planned service for every city bus is available here. MetroAccess service for people with disabilities is suspended until further notice.
More than 770 Metro workers are assigned to snow response, working 12- to 14-hour shifts, Metro said. They’ll have 142 snow blowers, 643 shovels and 2,300 tons of salt for roadways and parking lots.
Photo via Flickr/58067032@N06
Capitol Hill could get 5 inches or more of snow starting tomorrow, the National Weather Service said this afternoon.
A winter storm watch is in effect for D.C. from Wednesday evening to Thursday night.
Freezing rain is expected tonight, followed by more rain tomorrow. Snow is predicted to hit overnight Thursday, NWS says.
Driving may be dangerous as snow and rain hit, creating slick roads and reducing visibility to about a quarter mile.
School closings are a possibility on Thursday and Friday, according to the Capital Weather Gang. The weather bloggers predict a 50 percent chance of at least 4 inches of snow in D.C. as a whole.
Photo via Flickr/smarta
It looks like more snow is on the way.
The latest forecast for the Hill calls for heavy, sudden snowfall between 4 and 8 p.m. Only 1 inch of additional accumulation is predicted by the National Weather Service, but that could be enough to snarl rush hour traffic and make roads slippery.
The wind chill will drop to as low as minus 2 degrees tonight, according to NWS.
A winter weather advisory is in effect for the region through 10 a.m. Friday. There’s a 20 percent chance of snow on the Hill tomorrow, with partly sunny skies. Friday is expected to be sunny and cold. And then on Saturday a mix of rain and snow is predicted to hit.
Photo via Flickr/58067032@N06
