(Washington, DC) – In advance of the expected snowfall, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that DC Public Schools will be closed on Monday, January 6. The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting 5-9 inches of snow mixture in the District, starting Sunday night between 9 and 11 pm. Heaviest snowfall is expected from 4 am to 10 am on Monday, January 6, with the potential for 1-3 inches per hour during this time. According to NWS, the District could experience some sleet/freezing rain mixture Monday morning into Monday afternoon, and intermittent precipitation is expected until Tuesday morning followed by freezing temperatures throughout the rest of the week.

Earlier today, Mayor Bowser declared a Snow Emergency in Washington, DC that will remain in effect through at least the end of the day on Tuesday, January 7. While the snow emergency is in effect, motorists may not park on snow emergency routes and vehicles parked on these routes may be towed. Find a map of the snow emergency routes at snow.dc.gov. Drivers are asked to move vehicles off the routes as soon as possible. Beginning Sunday evening at 9 pm, vehicles still parked along snow emergency routes will be relocated. To learn where a vehicle has been towed, call the Towed Vehicle Locator office at (202) 541-6083, or go to dpw.dc.gov/page/booting-and-impoundment.

DC Government will operate in a modified posture on Monday, January 6. Essential employees shall report to work as regularly scheduled. All employees who can perform their job duties remotely shall work remotely. Non-essential in-person services will be closed on Monday, January 6.

DPW will not collect trash, recycling, food waste, or Christmas trees on Monday, January 6. Leaf collection has been suspended.

Residential and commercial property owners are encouraged to spread abrasives (e.g., salt, pet-friendly deicer, or non-clumping kitty litter) on their sidewalks before precipitation begins to reduce the possibility of icing and to prevent slips and falls.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to register for important weather alerts from the District by signing up for AlertDC at alert.dc.gov. For preparedness tips and additional details on the District’s snow response, visit the Snow Season FAQ Guide.

Cold Weather Emergency and Shelters

A Cold Weather Emergency remains in effect. During a Cold Weather Emergency, the District provides additional services and supports to protect residents from life-threatening illness and injuries associated with severe cold weather. Extended outreach to vulnerable residents is underway to assist unsheltered and vulnerable residents with accessing shelters, warming buses and other resources. 

Residents are encouraged to stay vigilant and to help neighbors experiencing homelessness in need of shelter by calling the Shelter Hotline. To request free, accessible transportation for yourself or someone else, call the Shelter Hotline at (202) 399-7093 or by dialing 311. Transportation to shelter is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you believe there is an immediate medical emergency, call 911.

For all animal emergencies, including pets left outdoors in extreme weather, call the Humane Rescue Alliance at (202) 723-5730.
 
The following shelter locations are open:
 
Shelters for Women  

• Harriet Tubman – 1910 Massachusetts Avenue, SE
• Pat Handy – 810 5th Street, NW
• St. Josephine Bakhita – 6010 Georgia Avenue, NW (7pm-7am only)
• Eve’s Place – 2210B Adams Place, NE
• 11th Street Swing Space – 1009 11th Street, NW
• CCNV-2 South – 425 2nd Street, NW
• KBEC Family Life Center – 4100 South Capitol Street, SE

Shelters for Men  

• 801 East Men’s Shelter and Overflow – 2722 Martin L. King Jr. Avenue, SE
• Adams Place – 2210 Adams Place, NE
• Emery Shelter and Overflow – 1725 Lincoln Road, NE  
• New York Avenue Men’s Shelter – 1355 New York Avenue, NE
• Federal City-1 North and Drop-In Center – 425 2nd Street, NW
• Church of the Epiphany – 1317 G Street, NW (7pm -7 am only)
• Salvation Army – 3335 Sherman Avenue, NW     

Shelter for LGBTQ+  

• Living Life Alternatives – 400 50th Street, SE  

Families seeking emergency shelter can call the Shelter Hotline at (202) 399-7093 or 311 at any time day or night.
 
Residential Snow Clearing

Residential property owners who are not enrolled in the Sidewalk Shoveling Exemption Program are required to clear snow and ice from their sidewalks within the first eight hours of daylight following the end of a snow event. ServeDC urges residents to volunteer to clear sidewalks for senior residents and those with access and functional needs through the DC Volunteer Snow Team. Residents can register for the DC Volunteer Snow Team here.

Businesses and Streateries

Commercial property owners are required to clear snow and ice from their sidewalks within the first eight hours of daylight following the end of a snow event. DPW recommends that restaurant owners along the treated routes bring in all furniture and other elements within the outdoor dining areas, except for the barriers. Failure to do so may result in damage to the furniture or other streatery materials.

Business owners should clear their sidewalks, parklets, and streateries of snow within eight daylight hours of the storm’s end. Business owner/permit holders are responsible for clearing out all snow within the outdoor dining area and ensuring sidewalks are accessible.

Safety and Preparedness Tips

• Stay inside if you can. Cover up and limit exposed skin when you go outside.
• Check on your neighbors and learn the signs of hypothermia, especially in young children, the elderly, and those with access and functional needs are the most vulnerable in our community.  
• Find your snow shovel and make sure it is adequate.  
• Check and apply your supply of abrasives – deicer, rock salt or non-clumping kitty litter – and get more if necessary.
• Avoid driving during the worst part of the storm. If possible, only travel during daylight hours, don’t travel alone, and stay on main roads instead of taking shortcuts.
• Have enough over-the-counter and prescription medications for your family and pets.
• Make sure your gutters are cleared of leaves. Call 311 to report clogged storm drains/catch basins and other non-emergency hazards or damage.
• Keep your vehicle’s fluids tanks – gas, water, antifreeze and windshield wiper – full.
• Have a flashlight, blankets, and scrapers in your vehicle before a storm begins.
• Install a battery-operated or battery back-up CO detector in your home and/or replace the batteries in existing devices.
• Do not use a gas oven, generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline burning device inside your home, basement or garage.
• Avoid frozen pipes by allowing a small trickle of water to run through the pipes.

The District Snow Team will continue to monitor the weather forecast and adjust its response as necessary. For more information about DC’s snow program and preparing for winter weather, visit snow.dc.gov.

 

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