Major Winter Storm Strikes the Capital
The District of Columbia experienced its first significant winter storm of the season on Sunday, covering the city in snow and sleet. This weather event has left much of the Eastern United States grappling with frigid temperatures, widespread power outages, and hazardous road conditions.
Morning flurries quickly turned into freezing rain, with forecasts from the National Weather Service indicating that this wintry mix would continue throughout the night. In response to these conditions, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport canceled all flights, while Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport also faced significant cancellations.
This winter weather marks the beginning of a cold spell for the region, with temperatures expected to drop into single digits. Highs are not anticipated to rise above freezing until next week.
Local authorities are actively assisting stranded motorists and responding to numerous accidents as icy conditions persist on roadways. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser urged residents to travel only if absolutely necessary, suggesting they stay indoors to allow snow removal teams to work effectively.
The Arlington County Fire Department reported a government vehicle slid off South Glebe Road and crashed into a home without causing injuries. Meanwhile, Alexandria Police noted an overturned truck that blocked southbound lanes of Van Dorn Street as crews worked diligently to restore traffic flow.
Despite challenging conditions, some residents took advantage of the snowfall. Nicholas Barrett, a senior at George Washington University, enjoyed riding his electric bike around the National Mall despite nearly crashing multiple times. He expressed his appreciation for visiting memorials like the Korean War Memorial during such weather.
Plans for an organized snowball fight were abandoned when sleet replaced snow early Sunday; however, a small group gathered near the Washington Monument for some impromptu fun despite less-than-ideal conditions.
The National Weather Service reported that by midday Sunday, 5 to 8 inches of mixed precipitation had accumulated across D.C. and surrounding areas. Some regions near Baltimore recorded up to 10 inches of snow.
In anticipation of continued severe weather, Virginia schools announced closures for Monday in several districts including Arlington and Fairfax counties. Maryland schools in Anne Arundel County and Baltimore City also declared closures.
Around 1 million people across various states are experiencing power outages due to ice accumulation from this storm system. Tennessee alone reported over 318,000 customers without electricity.
Lethal consequences have arisen from this extreme cold; two men died from hypothermia in Louisiana’s Caddo Parish while New York City officials confirmed five fatalities linked to exposure during this deep freeze.
