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Updated: 7:57 a.m.
A dangerous and potentially life-threatening storm system is bearing down on Alexandria and the broader Washington region Monday, with the National Weather Service warning of severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes and damaging wind gusts of 70 to 80 mph — with the potential for an isolated stronger tornado — this afternoon and evening.
Alexandria City Public Schools announced at 7:57 a.m. that all schools and offices will dismiss two hours early due to the forecast of severe storms. All afternoon and evening activities on ACPS school grounds are canceled.
Under the early dismissal, Morning Preschool will dismiss at 10 a.m. Afternoon Preschool will begin at 10:15 a.m. All afternoon and evening activities at facilities — including field trips, athletic events, band and other extracurricular activities — are canceled. Breakfast and lunch will still be served to students.
ACPS is asking that authorized receivers, parents and guardians be present at bus stops as necessary.
The cancellations extend to all programming provided by community organizations or the City of Alexandria held in ACPS facilities or on school grounds. Families are encouraged to check with their community service provider or the city's Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities regarding any changes to scheduled activities due to the expected weather.
The NWS Baltimore/Washington office issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook at 6:07 a.m. Monday covering the Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria area, warning that severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds and tornadoes are likely this afternoon and evening, with the potential for significant damage. Wind gusts of 70 to 80 mph are possible, as is an isolated stronger tornado. A Gale Warning is in effect for all area waters through 1 a.m. Tuesday.
Neighboring school systems had already acted before ACPS's announcement. Arlington County Public Schools announced a 2-hour early dismissal. Fairfax County Public Schools will close three hours early. DC Public Schools will dismiss students two hours early, with afterschool and evening activities canceled.
Showers and thunderstorms are likely through the morning hours, with conditions intensifying after 3 p.m. Temperatures will climb to a high near 73 degrees under breezy conditions, with south winds of 15 to 20 mph and gusts reaching as high as 34 mph ahead of the storms. The chance of precipitation stands at 80 percent.
Conditions are expected to deteriorate sharply overnight. The National Weather Service is forecasting a 100 percent chance of precipitation Monday night, with severe storms possible through 11 p.m. Temperatures will then plunge to a low around 31 degrees, with west winds gusting to 33 mph.
The City of Alexandria is urging residents to stay weather aware. Residents are directed to sign up for emergency alerts at alexandriava.gov/eNews, monitor a NOAA Weather Radio, download the FEMA mobile app, enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on their mobile device, and follow @AlexandriaVAGov on social media. More information is available at alexandriava.gov/alert.
This story is developing and will be updated.
