The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced that federal agency offices will be closed in the Washington, DC area on Monday, January 26, 2026, due to the winter storm that is moving across the country.
Weather forecasts anticipate that the winter storm will cover an area of about 1,800 miles, bringing snow and ice to many parts of the south and creating numerous travel disruptions.
According to Accuweather, “The most dangerous and potentially destructive part of a massive winter storm will affect the southern United States, where a glaze of freezing rain up to an inch thick is possible from Texas to the Carolinas and Virginia.”
According to NBC4 Washington, anywhere from 6 to over 10 inches of snow is expected in the area from the storm. Snow is anticipated to begin Saturday evening and continue throughout the day on Sunday.
The DC area is also under a winter storm warning. The status at the time of this writing is that the winter storm warning is set to begin at 11 PM EST Saturday and continue to 4 AM EST Monday.
Office Closure Announcement
OPM’s closure announcement states:
Status: Office Closure
Applies to: Monday, January 26, 2026
Federal Offices in the Washington, DC area are Closed. Maximum Telework is in effect.
Telework Employees are expected to work. Generally, telework employees may not receive weather and safety leave.
Remote Workers are expected to work. Generally, remote workers may not receive weather and safety leave.
Non-Telework Employees generally will be granted weather and safety leave for the number of hours they were scheduled to work. However, weather and safety leave will not be granted to employees who are on official travel outside of the duty station or on an Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) day off or other non-workday.
Emergency Employees are expected to report to their worksite unless otherwise directed by their agencies.
Employees on Preapproved Leave (paid or unpaid) or other paid time off generally should continue to be charged leave or other paid time off and should not receive weather and safety leave.
According to OPM’s guidance for dismissal and closure procedures, federal agencies may grant weather and safety leave to employees unable to travel or work due to acts of God, terrorist attacks, or other qualifying emergencies. Agencies must use the term “weather and safety leave” for such absences and ensure proper recording and reporting.
National Weather Service Alert
The alert issued by the National Weather Service Saturday morning reads:
District of Columbia-Northern Baltimore-Cecil-Southern Baltimore- Prince Georges-Anne Arundel-Northwest Montgomery-Central and Southeast Montgomery-Northwest Howard-Central and Southeast Howard-Northwest Harford-Southeast Harford-Culpeper-Fairfax- Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria-Southern Fauquier-Eastern Loudoun-Northwest Prince William-Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park- 526 AM EST Sat Jan 24 2026 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 AM EST MONDAY... * WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 7 and 14 inches, with highest in the far northern and western suburbs of Washington and Baltimore. Ice accumulations between one and two tenths of an inch. * WHERE...Portions of DC, central, northeast, and northern Maryland, and northern Virginia. * WHEN...From 11 PM this evening to 4 AM EST Monday. * IMPACTS...Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow will likely overspread the area tonight, becoming heavy at times with rates of one to two inches per hour possible at times. A mix with sleet or freezing rain is expected Sunday. Significant icing is possible especially south of Highway 50. Visibility of one-quarter mile or less is possible at times. A prolonged period of wind chills in the teens and single digits continues this evening and lasting through the middle of next week, with sub-zero wind chills possible at times. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. Persons should consider delaying all travel. Motorists should use extreme caution if travel is absolutely necessary.
