Federal Offices in Washington Close Over Winter Storm

Jack Phillips
By Jack Phillips
January 7, 2020US News
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Federal Offices in Washington Close Over Winter Storm
A U.S. Capitol Police Officer patrols the Capitol plaza as snow falls on November 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. A winter storm advisory has been issued for the D.C. with moderate to heavy snow and sleet that could accumulate 1 to 2 inches. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Federal offices in Washington closed at 1 p.m. ET due to an expected winter storm on Tuesday, said the Office of Personnel Management in an alert.

All employees are required to leave their offices four hours before their normal departure time and can leave no later than 1 p.m., the office said on its website.

“Employees of Federal offices in the Washington, DC area are authorized for early departure. Employees should depart 4 hours earlier than their normal departure time and may request UNSCHEDULED LEAVE to depart prior to their staggered departure time. All employees MUST DEPART at no later than 1:00 pm at which time FEDERAL OFFICES are CLOSED,” its website says.

It says: “Emergency employees are expected to remain at their worksite unless otherwise directed by their agencies.”

According to local station WJLA, a mix of rain, sleet, and snow will hit the area during the afternoon. Several school systems were closed for the day or closed early, and Smithsonian museums are closing at 3 p.m.

The National Weather Service’s local office is forecasting “rain and snow, becoming all snow after 3 p.m.” before adding that the “snow could be heavy at times.”

It added: “Total daytime snow accumulation of around an inch possible.” Another half-inch of snow is possible overnight, the NWS said.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is slated to arrive at the White House to meet with President Donald Trump later in the afternoon.

From The Epoch Times