DC braces for historic winter storm as emergency declared

Washington DC has declared a state of emergency as a colossal winter storm bears down on the region this weekend, threatening to bring the heaviest snow in a decade along with dangerous ice and subzero wind chills. Mayor Muriel Bowser issued the emergency declaration on Friday, activating a comprehensive response that includes deploying more than 300 snow plows, opening 24-hour hypothermia shelters, and requesting support from the DC National Guard to help first responders navigate the city.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the DC area beginning Saturday at 11 p.m. and lasting through Monday at 4 a.m. Forecasters are projecting at least nine inches of snow in the District, with over a foot of snow possible. The snow is expected to begin Saturday late afternoon and could last through Monday morning, with the greatest accumulation occurring Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Background

The DC region has been preparing for this event for several days as meteorologists tracked the storm's approach from the west. The winter weather will arrive in two distinct phases: first, arctic air will move in Friday night, bringing dangerously cold temperatures. Then, the massive snowstorm will follow, arriving Saturday and bringing heavy snow throughout the weekend.

What makes this storm particularly dangerous is the forecast for a wintry mix as the system progresses. After the heavy snow, freezing rain is expected to move in overnight Sunday into Monday morning. This combination of snow followed by ice creates a double threat to infrastructure and public safety. The weight of ice accumulating on power lines and trees could cause widespread outages across the region.

Key Details

City officials have taken extensive precautions to prepare for the storm's arrival. The DC Department of Public Works is deploying its full snow team, consisting of heavy plows that will treat highways, streets, and elevated structures, along with light plows for smaller neighborhood streets. The Department of General Services has already begun pretreating all DC Government properties, including walkways and entryways at police stations, fire houses, shelters, and schools.

Pepco, the region's main utility company, has mobilized its workforce in preparation for potential widespread power outages. Tammy Sanford, director of electric operations for Pepco, explained the company's readiness:

"We're getting our trucks ready. We're making sure that our facilities are ready. We're also working on hoteling arrangements to get our crews close to the service center, so that if we should experience outages, our crews are ready to go and we can respond."

The utility company will have crews working rotating 12-hour shifts, with every available resource deployed for the event. If outages occur, the company will prioritize restoring power to areas affecting thousands of customers before addressing smaller outages.

Snow Emergency and Parking Restrictions

A snow emergency in DC goes into effect at noon Saturday and lasts through 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. During this period, motorists cannot park on snow emergency routes. Drivers must move their vehicles off these routes by noon Saturday, or face ticketing and towing. The city has provided maps of all snow emergency routes to help residents comply.

Temperature and Shelter Response

Beyond the snow itself, the region will experience dangerously low temperatures beginning Friday evening and lasting through the storm and well into next week. Overnight wind chills are expected to drop below zero. Temperatures will remain below freezing through at least Wednesday afternoon.

In response, the city has opened extended 24-hour hypothermia shelters beginning Friday at 7 p.m. through Tuesday at 7 a.m. The shelters, located across the city, will provide refuge for homeless individuals and others unable to stay warm in their homes during the dangerous cold.

What This Means

The National Weather Service has warned that driving on snowy roads during the storm will be "nearly impossible," and officials are urging residents to limit outdoor exposure and proceed with caution when traveling on roads and walkways. The combination of heavy snow, ice, and extreme cold creates hazardous conditions that could strand motorists and make emergency response difficult.

The broader region is also preparing for impact. Beyond DC, Maryland and Virginia are bracing for the same system. More than 2,300 flights within, into, or out of the United States scheduled for Saturday have been canceled ahead of the storm, with Dallas airports hit the hardest. Baltimore and other Maryland cities are urging residents to stay indoors, and some Maryland schools have already announced closures for Monday.

The storm represents a significant test of the region's winter weather response capabilities. With forecasters warning this could be the biggest snow storm in 10 years, city and regional officials are treating the event with the urgency it demands. Residents are being encouraged to register for weather alerts through AlertDC and to prepare now by stocking supplies, checking heating systems, and ensuring vehicles are ready for potential emergencies.

The DC National Guard has been requested to provide high ground clearance vehicles to ensure first responders can move effectively around the city throughout the storm. This level of coordination between city agencies, utilities, and the military shows the severity of what officials expect to unfold over the next 48 hours.