District Operations Resume on Delay as Mayor Extends Snow Emergency

Mayor Bowser Orders Delayed Opening for Government and Schools

As Washington D.C. continues to grapple with the aftermath of recent winter weather, Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced that District government offices and D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) will operate on a delayed schedule today, Thursday, January 29, 2026. Under the current order, DCPS campuses are opening on a two-hour delay to allow teams additional time to clear walkways and ensure student safety. District government agencies are scheduled to open to the public at 10:00 a.m.

The Mayor emphasized that while the city is moving forward with operations, the decision to delay was made out of caution due to lingering ice and extreme cold. An Extreme Cold Alert remains in effect across the city, prompting the District to keep hypothermia shelters open for residents in need. Officials are encouraging anyone seeking warm, safe transportation to a shelter to contact the 311 Shelter Hotline.

Snow Emergency Extended Through Friday

The District Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Snow Team have extended the citywide snow emergency through 9:30 a.m. on Friday, January 30. This extension carries significant implications for residents and commuters:

• Parking Restrictions: Motorists are prohibited from parking on designated snow emergency routes. Vehicles found parked on these routes are subject to being ticketed and towed to ensure plows have clear access to major arteries.
• Service Suspensions: There will be no household trash, recycling, or food waste collection today. Residents are advised to keep bins off the curb to avoid interfering with snow removal efforts.
• Travel Warnings: While primary roads are being cleared, the Mayor’s office warned that secondary streets and sidewalks remain treacherous due to the deep freeze.

Official Government Meetings and Legislative Deadlines

Despite the weather-related disruptions, several government sessions and administrative deadlines remain on today's calendar. The Office of Employee Appeals (OEA) is holding a board meeting at 9:30 a.m. virtually via Webex to address pending personnel matters. Later this afternoon, the D.C. State Board of Education’s Educator Excellence Committee is scheduled to convene at 4:00 p.m. to discuss ongoing teacher retention and professional development initiatives.

Furthermore, today marks a critical administrative deadline for the D.C. Council. According to the Council Period 26 legislative calendar, today is the deadline for filing waiver requests and emergency notices for the upcoming Legislative Meeting scheduled for February 3. This ensures that the agenda for the first major voting session of February is finalized despite the winter emergency.