It’s all anyone in D.C. can talk about – snow, snow, snow.
Capital Weather Gang is now predicting that as much as 15 to 30 inches of snow could hit D.C. this weekend, and while students (and some faculty) hope for a snow day, other D.C. agencies have already shut down in anticipation of the storm.
While there’s still no word from the federal government on whether or not they will be open tomorrow, here’s what’s already been shut down in D.C.:
The Vern Express resumes service
The Vern Express resumed service at 30 minute intervals at 7 a.m. this morning after officials suspended service at around 8 p.m. last night due to “poor road conditions,” University spokeswoman Maralee Csellar said in an email.
The shuttle opened from 11:15 p.m. until midnight last night to bring students back to their respective campuses, Csellar said. She said the University had staff members posted at the pick-up locations on both campus to provide updates to students and also updated the community through Twitter.
“We thank everyone for their patience during the weather that resulted in challenging road conditions,” Csellar said.
After resuming operation this morning, the Vern Express then began operating on a 15-minute schedule at 8:30 a.m., according to the bus’s Twitter account.
Alert: TVE will begin a 15 minute departure schedule @ 8:30am.
Please plan accordingly.
Thank you for your patience.
We will update later
— TheVernExpress (@TheVernExpress) January 21, 2016
Eckles Library tutoring shut down Sunday
The University cancelled tutoring at Eckles Library on the Mount Vernon Campus Sunday due to weather concerns, according to the library’s official Twitter account.
All tutoring on Sunday night at Eckles has been cancelled due to weather concerns.
— EcklesLibrary (@EcklesLibrary) January 21, 2016
D.C. public schools closed Friday
Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Thursday that the city’s public schools will be closed on Friday. Schools began classes two hours late on Thursday after snow Wednesday night left roads coated in ice and snow.
Bowser apologized for the the city’s delayed response to the weather Wednesday night in a press conference, The Washington Post reported Thursday. She declared a state of emergency in D.C. ahead of Friday and Saturday’s expected snowfall.
“We are very sorry for the inadequate response,” she said. “We did not provide adequate resources at a time when it could have made a difference with the commute.”
D.C. government to close early Friday
Bowser also announced that the D.C. government will close early on Friday because of the impending snowfall.
Due to the blizzard, @dcpublicschools will be closed tomorrow and DC government will close early.
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) January 21, 2016
Howard University closed Friday through weekend
Howard University will be closed Friday until Sunday, the university said in a statement Thursday.
“Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to take caution and adhere to warnings/alerts,” the statement reads. “Essential employees should report to work unless otherwise indicated by their manager.”
Metro closed for the weekend
The Metro will operate from 5 a.m. Friday to 11 p.m. Friday, and remain closed on Saturday and Sunday, according to a press release from the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority.
“Metro will protect hundreds of railcars by storing them in the tunnels during the storm,” according to the release.
Metrobuses will only operate on major routes during the day on Friday, and shut down system-wide starting at 5 p.m., according to the release.
Colonial Health Center closing at noon on Friday
The student health center will be closed until next week, according to an email from campus housing. Students are advised to ensure they have at least a five-days supply of their prescriptions, and can call the numbers listed on the Health Services website for medical and mental health questions.
Federal Government is out, too
The Federal Government is closed starting at noon on Friday, according to the Office of Personnel Management, with all federal offices in the D.C. area closing.
Emergency employees will remain at their worksites, unless otherwise directed by their agencies.
Looking to study through the storm?
Look somewhere other then Gelman: the library will be closing at three on Friday, according to its twitter. If you’re looking to drown your sorrows in a hot beverage, hurry, because its beloved counterpart, Gelbucks, has posted it will also be closing at 1:30 p.m.
Hurry! Still time to visit @gelmanlibrary before #snowtoriousBIG hits, but we are closing at 3 p.m. today 1/22. Be safe out there #GWU
— gelmanlibrary (@gelmanlibrary) January 22, 2016
Gallery has your back
Gallery Cafe will remain open this weekend from 6:30 a.m. to “late night,” according to a sign posted in the window of the joint. If you didn’t stock up enough food beforehand, feel free to satisfy your midnight cravings at this brave cafe.
Limited 4RIDE service
There will be no 4RIDE service Friday night or Saturday, according to a tweet from the Division of Operations. Service will resume on Sunday.
J Street to open for weekend service
J Street, which is normally closed on the weekends, will open in two-hour shifts for breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday.
The Marvin Center dining hall will open from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m, noon to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, according to an update to GW’s advisories website.
The Vern Express suspends service
The Vern Express suspended service at 5:15 p.m. on Friday and weekend service is dependent on road conditions.
The University encouraged students to “consider being on the campus where where they intend to spend their weekend by Friday afternoon to avoid any transportation related issues” on its advisories website.
Alert: TVE will suspend service at 5:15pm today. We will attempt to resume service on Saturday. Please plan accordingly.
— TheVernExpress (@TheVernExpress) January 22, 2016
Jacqueline Thomsen, Lila Weatherly, Ellie Smith, Colleen Murphy and Jeanine Marie contributed reporting.
