BREAKING: Arlington Schools, Federal Gov’t Closed Due to Wind Storm

(Updated at 6:30 a.m.) Arlington Public Schools are closed today (Friday) due to weather concerns.

All schools and offices are closed, APS announced this morning, though custodians are being asked to report at 6 a.m. “regardless of your regular shift.”

Elementary and middle schools were already scheduled to be closed due to parent-teacher conferences, but those conferences have been cancelled, as have “extracurricular activities, interscholastic games, team practices, field trips, adult education classes, and programs in schools and on school grounds.”

Marymount University, meanwhile, is also closed.

Federal government offices in the D.C. area are closed due to the wind storm, the Office of Personnel Management announced early Friday morning.

Due to safety concerns, Virginia Railway Express service has been cancelled for today. Reagan National Airport is encouraging travellers to check the status of their flight before coming to the airport. Power problems have been reported on Metro’s Blue and Yellow lines, causing delays, while the rest of the Metrorail system is running every 12 minutes with reduced speeds above ground.

As of 5:30 a.m., Dominion is reporting more than 9,000 customers without power in Arlington already.

Already, there have been reports of trees, branches and other debris down in Arlington, and the dangerous winds are expected to continue throughout the day. Residents are being encouraged to stay indoors whenever possible and to remain in the lower levels of homes.

More via social media:

Major high wind expected today into this evening. Strongest winds will occur between now and noon time when frequent gusts to 65 mph are expected. Check our latest public information statement for the latest wind gust reports. https://t.co/fBwUKs97Jq #DCwx #MDwx #VAwx #WVwx

— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) March 2, 2018

https://twitter.com/ArlingtonVaFD/status/969489464883064832

Blue/Yellow Line: Expect delays to Mt Vernon Sq. & Largo Town Center due to a power problem at King Street.

— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) March 2, 2018

Wind update (5:50 a.m.)
• Metrorail operating every 12 min/line with reduced speeds above ground for safety
• Metrobus & MetroAccess operating; delays possible due to downed trees
• Please travel only if necessary
• Metro offices closed, essential personnel must report#wmata

— Metro (@wmata) March 2, 2018

High winds are expected to continue for much of the day today in the DC area. Many airlines have issued weather waivers for travel in the Northeast, including for DCA. Please check the status of your flight before coming to the airport & stay safe!

— Reagan Airport (@Reagan_Airport) March 2, 2018

VRE Service Canceled Today 3/2/2018 Out of an abundance of caution due to the severe winds, and based on feedback from our host railroads, VRE will cancel service today, March 2, 2018.

Regular service will resume on Monday, March 5, 2018.

— VRE (@VaRailXpress) March 2, 2018