The Alexandria Brief: Monday, March 16

Good morning, Alexandria. Today is Monday, March 16 — the 75th day of 2026, with 290 days left in the year.

A dangerous storm system is bearing down on the region today, with the National Weather Service warning of severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes and damaging wind gusts up to 80 mph this afternoon and evening. Alexandria City Public Schools is monitoring conditions and has not ruled out an early dismissal, while neighboring districts, including Arlington, Fairfax, and DC Public Schools, have already announced they will close early. Temperatures will swing from a high near 73 degrees this afternoon to a low around 31 tonight.

Here's what you need to know today.

~ Ryan

1️⃣ Severe weather threat looms over Alexandria Monday; ACPS announces 2-hour early dismissal

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.

2️⃣ Schools, housing, and transit dominate second budget public hearing

Alexandria City Council held its second FY 2027 budget public hearing Saturday morning at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center, 4850 Mark Center Drive, with five of six council members present. Mayor Gaskins announced at the outset that Councilwoman Jacinta E. Greene was absent due to unforeseen circumstances.

The roughly two-hour session drew speakers from across the city — but ACPS dominated, with the school board chair, the teachers union president, a parent budget committee chair, and multiple parents all appearing to press council to close the $5.6 million gap between the city manager's proposed school appropriation and the school board's request.

3️⃣ Where the City Council candidates stand on housing

All three candidates in Alexandria's April 21 City Council special election have submitted responses to a housing questionnaire from YIMBYs of Northern Virginia, the pro-housing advocacy group announced Friday, as it prepares to possibly issue an endorsement in the race next week.

The candidates are Democratic nominee Sandy Marks, independent Frank Fannon, and independent Alison Virginia O'Connell. The seat was left open when Del. Kirk McPike resigned in January after winning a February House of Delegates special election.

As of Thursday, March 12, 9,864 mail-in ballots have been sent out to voters, and 1,294 have voted early in person. Early voting continues through Saturday, April 18, at the Office of Voter Registration & Elections (132 N. Royal St., Suite 100).

📰 In brief

Commonwealth Avenue reopened after overnight power repairs. The stretch between Mount Vernon Avenue and East Glebe Avenue was closed while crews addressed a power issue. Road reopened around 3:40 a.m. Alexandria Police

Mayor Gaskins previews Thursday's Potomac spill town hall on WUSA9. The mayor discussed safety, testing and resident concerns ahead of the March 19 community meeting at the Lee Center, 7 to 9 p.m. WUSA9

Port City owner on Trump tariffs: "The president doesn't care about small businesses." Bill Butcher joined other Virginia entrepreneurs in a Virginia Mercury piece criticizing the tariffs ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in February. Refunds remain unlikely without years of litigation. Virginia Mercury

Alexandria to deploy sensor-equipped vehicle to map street conditions in real time. Federally funded pilot will test four competing technologies on West End and Old Town routes, with an eye toward citywide expansion

Alexandria native wins four Jeopardy! games, $99,400 before Illinois grocer ends his streak. James Denison, who faced an Arlington rival Thursday, now eligible for Tournament of Champions despite three consecutive wrong Final Jeopardy answers

Virginia Railway Express names first chief operations officer since 2019. Appointment comes as agency navigates Long Bridge construction, eyes major service expansion

Alexandria's 53-degree temperature swing in 22 hours is the largest on record. Official NWS records place Wednesday's record 86°F high and Thursday's 33°F low — with snow — among the most dramatic reversals in the area's 154-year climate history

Alexandria names new T&ES director in department's third leadership change since 2023. Leah Riley brings experience from D.C., Portland and Chicago as the city's largest agency looks to stabilize under permanent leadership

Nominations open for Alexandria's 2026 Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award. Annual honor recognizes environmental leadership in the city; submissions due today, March 16

On this day in Alexandria's history: In 1856, the General Assembly authorized the Alexandria Steam Ferry Company to carry passengers across the Potomac. In 1862, General George McClellan made his headquarters at Virginia Theological Seminary as the Army of the Potomac set sail from Alexandria's waterfront for the Peninsula Campaign — and the number of saloons in the city jumped from 3 to 43. In 1935, Corporal Charles J. McClary of the Alexandria Police Department was shot and killed in Loudoun County while searching for a moonshiner. Historic Alexandria

Today in Alexandria

⛅ Weather

Hazardous Weather Outlook

Showers and thunderstorms are likely today, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3 p.m. Some of the storms could be severe. High near 73 degrees. Breezy, with a south wind 13 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch are possible.

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm tonight before 11 p.m., then a chance of showers between 11 p.m. and midnight. Some of the storms could be severe. Low around 31 degrees. West wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch are possible.

🌖 Sun, Moon, & Tide

🗓️ Things To Do

9 a.m.: Monday Morning Coffee Club at Rosemont Cellar
11 a.m.: Storytime in the Reading Garden — Cuentos en el jardín de lectura at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library CANCELED
1 p.m.: English Language Learning (ELL) at Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
4 p.m.: Sensory Storytime at James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library CANCELED
5:30 p.m.: English Language Learning (ELL) 2 Workshop — Intermediate Conversation at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
5:30 p.m.: Teen Takeover at Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
6 p.m.: Horror Fans Unite — A year-round horror club at Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
6:30 p.m.: Joggers & Lagers at Port City Brewing Company

🎶 Entertainment

219 Restaurant: Just For Fun at 9 p.m.
Clyde’s at Mark Center: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant: Traditional Irish Music at 7 p.m.
Del Ray Pizzeria: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Epicure on King: Open Mic at 7 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Jim West at 6 p.m.
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Colby Sard at 8:30 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.

🏛️ City & Schools

Government: Open | Schools: Open | Flag: Full Staff | Trash, Recycling, & Yard Waste Collection: On Time

6 a.m.: Chinquapin Recreation Center open
1 p.m.: Commission on Aging Housing Committee regular monthly meeting
5 p.m.: Visit Alexandria Board of Governors meeting at 201 N. Union St., Suite 110
6 p.m.: Minnie Howard campus open
7 p.m.: City Council Budget Work Session No. 4: Livable, Green & Prospering
7 p.m.: Board of Zoning Appeals public hearing CANCELED
7 p.m.: Social Services Advisory Board regular monthly meeting
7:30 p.m.: Environmental Policy Commission regular meeting

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