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Weather in the D.C. area has been fairly mild in the past few weeks, but that’s all expected to change this Tuesday. DCist reported that The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the region from 7 p.m. on Monday through 2 p.m. on Tuesday. The storm also now has a name, Storm Stella.
Expect snow, sleet, and about six to 10 inches of snow. Wind gusts are expected to reach 30 miles per hour. When it comes to how bad this storm might be inside the Beltway, The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang’s Winter Storm Impact Scale measured Storm Stella as a two out of five, with one being mild and five being the worst of the worst.
Already, shoppers in D.C. have begun their rush to grocery stores, over 200 plows are ready, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has begun updating their service information.
Precip should begin some time around 9p tonight, plus or minus 2 hrs. Snow initially won't stick w/ temps above 32. https://t.co/O5ZQ9NmQ4s pic.twitter.com/cBIsRdSwbS
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) March 13, 2017
On Monday evening, expect a regular weekday schedule for the Metrorail with a closing at midnight, the typical time. The rail system will reopen on Tuesday at 5 a.m. Trains may run less frequently, and the Blue and Yellow lines will continue single tracking. No shuttle buses will operate between the Franconia-Springfield and Pentagon Metro stations.
When it comes to the Metrobus, service on Monday evening may be delayed or detoured depending on the road and weather conditions. Additionally, bus service changes are likely on Tuesday. WMATA recommends using the Metrorail as an alternate if possible.
On Sunday, in anticipation of the snow, several city departments began pre-treating certain roadways and sidewalks around public areas, according to WTOP.
Any power outages can be tracked through Pepco’s website.
For a list of emergency shelters and warming sites, be sure to check DCist’s article here.
• D.C. Prepares For Winter Storm With Snow Predictions Of Six To Ten Inches [DCist]
• Major and messy winter storm bears down on Washington: What to expect and answers to frequent questions [The Washington Post]
• D.C. area braces for March snow with mad dash to grocery store [WTOP]
• Metro Snow Service Advisory [WMATA]
• Weather Prediction Center [National Weather Service]