Washington, D.C
Philadelphia, New Jersey winter weather checklist: How to prepare for snow and ice this weekend
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With snow and a surge of Arctic air expected to bring winter weather to the Washington, D.C. region and surrounding areas this weekend, forecasters and emergency officials are urging residents to prepare now, from stocking up on essentials to making a plan for travel, school and work disruptions.
What we know:
Weather models show a significant winter storm could impact the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area late Saturday into Sunday, with snow likely falling across the region and very cold temperatures building in behind the system.
This Arctic blast may usher in bitter cold and frigid wind chills, making it feel much colder than the actual air temperature once snow begins and after it ends.
What is the polar vortex? Why it matters as snow and Arctic cold threaten the Northeast
What to stock at home
Officials recommend having enough supplies to last at least several days in case travel becomes difficult, according to the CDC.
That includes:
- Food that does not require refrigeration or cooking
- Drinking water
- Prescription medications and basic first-aid supplies
- Flashlights, batteries and phone chargers
- Blankets, warm clothing and extra layers
- Baby supplies or pet food if needed
It’s also a good idea to make sure you have rock salt or ice melt and a working snow shovel.
20 November 2024, Lower Saxony, Garbsen: An excavator loads road salt onto its shovel. Photo: Alicia Windzio/dpa (Photo by Alicia Windzio/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Travel prep before snow begins
If you need to drive during or after the storm, preparation is critical.
Before snow arrives:
- Fill up your gas tank
- Check windshield wipers, tires and antifreeze
- Keep an emergency kit in your car with blankets, snacks, water and a flashlight
- Monitor road conditions and weather alerts
Once snow begins, travel can become treacherous quickly, especially on major routes like I-95 and local roads. Officials urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel during and immediately after snowfall.
School and work planning
Snow and icy conditions can lead to delays, early dismissals or closures for schools and some workplaces.
Families are encouraged to:
- Review remote learning or work-from-home plans
- Make childcare arrangements in advance
- Keep an eye on district announcements and employer updates
Planning ahead can help reduce stress if schedules change quickly, according to FEMA.
FILE – A young woman scratches snow and ice from the windscreen of her car. (Carmen Jaspersen/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Stay safe during extreme cold and possible power outages
In addition to snow, dangerously cold temperatures can pose serious health risks, especially if power outages occur.
According to FEMA, extreme cold can increase the risk of hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning and house fires, particularly when people rely on alternative heating sources.
Officials recommend:
- Installing and testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home
- Keeping anything that can burn at least three feet away from space heaters and fireplaces
- Never using an oven, grill or generator to heat your home
- Using generators only outdoors and at least 20 feet away from doors and windows
If the power goes out and indoor temperatures become unsafe, FEMA advises relocating to a heated community space if one is available.
What we don’t know:
The exact total of snow and the duration of impacts depend on the storm’s track and strength. Some models show more snow farther northwest, while others keep totals closer to the I-95 corridor.
Forecasts may change leading up to the event, and officials say conditions can vary widely across the region.
Why you should care:
Even a few inches of snow combined with bitter cold and icy conditions can halt travel, disrupt routines and create hazardous conditions, especially during peak travel times.
Preparing now, before stores become crowded and roads become slick, can help you avoid last-minute stress and stay safe through the storm.
What’s next:
Residents are encouraged to:
- Monitor updated forecasts from the National Weather Service and FOX 5 DC.
- Sign up for weather and emergency alerts
- Follow guidance from local officials as the storm approaches
The Source: This article was written using information from emergency preparedness guidance issued by the CDC, FEMA and local officials.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — A Texas man accused of shooting at a United States Secret Service agent near the Washington Monument earlier this month has been indicted on federal charges, the Justice Department announced Friday.
A federal grand jury indicted 45-year-old Michael Marx with “assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon” and “using, carrying, possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence,” in connection with the May 4 incident, in which a stray bullet struck a teenage bystander.
“Today’s indictment reflects the gravity of the defendant’s actions on one of the most heavily visited public spaces in the nation,” U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said Friday, in part. “The evidence shows Marx not only carried an illegal firearm into DC, but he fired it at uniformed officers, wounding an innocent teenage bystander who was simply visiting the National Mall with his family on a spring afternoon.”
Authorities previously charged Marx with assaulting federal officers with a dangerous weapon, using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents, an undercover Secret Service agent initially noticed Marx trying to conceal a gun on the right side of his body near 15th Street and Madison Drive NW shortly after 3:30 p.m. on the afternoon of the shooting.
At the same time, the motorcade for Vice President J.D. Vance was leaving the White House, passing through the area just up the street.
Uniformed Secret Service officers arrived to provide backup, finding Marx along the path of Vance’s motorcade. The attorney’s office said officers began to give the Texas man verbal commands, but he started running through a crosswalk and eventually fired at one of the agents as he reached the sidewalk.
The bullet struck the teenage bystander, who was walking behind the agent, in the leg, according to the DOJ.
Agents quickly returned fire, striking Marx in the hand, left arm, and upper body, according to court documents.
Court documents state that agents used Marx’s Texas driver’s license, which he was carrying, to identify him as the gunman. Investigators also identified various aliases Marx allegedly went by, including Patrick Michael and Michael Zavici.
While in the hospital, he allegedly made statements to officers, including ”F— the White House,” and “kill me, kill me, kill me,” the DOJ noted in a release.
Police found a Sig Sauer P365 handgun loaded with 9mm ammunition from the street where Marx fell.
4 things to know about the weather:
- Abundant sunshine
- Temps slightly cooler than average
- No rain in sight — again
- Mid-week warmup
May is drawing to a dry, comfortable close, in stunning contrast to the very soggy Memorial Day weather we saw last weekend.
That 10-day stretch of rain put a definite dent in our drought, according to the weekly national drought monitor, but it seems that was the end of the improvement for a while: There’s almost no clouds in sight for the DMV for several days.
Enjoy the many hours of sunshine on Saturday. The high pressure coming in from the Hudson Bay brings a stiff north wind, but the day will also be sunny and comfortable, with highs in the mid 70s.
Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.
The wind will die down after dark, and Sunday morning will be bordering on chilly. Expect widespread mid/upper 40s in most of the D.C. area, with urban centers and bayside communities staying just above 50°. Sunday afternoon will be just a bit warmer, in the mid 70s, but with far less of a breeze.
Highs will be back around 80° for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with overnight lows in the comfy 50s. It’ll be a perfect start to meteorological summer (June/July/August).
QuickCast
TODAY:
Sunshine Abounds, Breezy
Wind: North 10-15mph, Gust to 25 mph
Chance of Rain: 0%
HIGHS: 70° to 75°
TONIGHT:
Clear Skies
Winds Diminish
Wind: Northwest 10-15 mph
Chance Of Rain: 0%
LOWS: 46° to 54°
SUNDAY:
Mostly Sunny Skies
Pleasant Conditions
Light Breeze
Wind: NW 5 – 10 mph
Chance of Rain: 0%
HIGHS: 70° to 76°
MONDAY:
Partly Cloudy
Seasonable
Light Breeze
Wind: West/Northwest 10 mph
Chance of Rain: 0%
HIGHS: 76° to 82°
Sunrise: 5:45 Sunset: 8:26
Average High: 80° Average Low: 63°
Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.
WASHINGTON – A man is in critical condition after falling into the Anacostia River in Southwestern Washington, D.C., Friday night.
What we know:
D.C. Fire and EMS reported the rescue effort shortly after 10 p.m. at James Creek Marina in Buzzard Point.
Crews believe a man fell from the dock into the water.
By 10:30 p.m., crews were able to pull the man out of the water.
Paramedics took him to the hospital in critical condition.
What we don’t know:
Officials did not identify the man who was rescued. No other information was immediately available.
The Source: Information in this story is from the D.C. Fire and EMS Department.
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