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We will continue to update this story as conditions develop. For the latest updates click here. Tips and reports can be sent to ryan@alexandriabrief.com.
5:50 a.m. Tuesday, March 17 | Final update: 198 customers without power as overnight storms conclude
Monday's powerful storm system has moved through Alexandria, leaving 198 Dominion Energy customers without power as of early Tuesday morning. Crews are working to restore service.
The National Weather Service's 5:45 a.m. Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Alexandria area notes blustery winds expected today behind the cold front, with the possibility of isolated snow showers moving off the Allegheny Mountains. No hazardous weather is expected Wednesday through Monday. The NWS is encouraging spotters to report any storm damage from Monday to the Weather Service.
Dominion Energy is urging residents to stay clear of any downed power lines — assume all lines are energized and dangerous, and remain at least 30 feet away. Report downed lines or outages via the Dominion Energy app, online, or by calling 1-866-366-4357. If using a generator, follow all manufacturer safety guidelines.
This concludes The Alexandria Brief's live storm coverage for March 16, 2026. We will continue to monitor conditions and report on any storm-related impacts throughout Tuesday.
8:37 p.m. | SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for Alexandria until 9:15 p.m.; no outages currently reported
The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Alexandria, in effect until 9:15 p.m. Severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Green Valley to near Bealeton at 8:32 p.m., moving east at 65 mph.
The primary hazard is wind gusts up to 60 mph. Damaging winds could bring down trees and large branches, block roadways, cause localized power outages, and turn unsecured objects into projectiles. Torrential rainfall is also occurring and may lead to flash flooding — do not drive through flooded roadways.
As of this update, Dominion Energy is reporting no active outages in Alexandria.
Move immediately to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building and stay away from windows. Do not go outside until the warning has expired.
5:55 p.m. | Power fully restored across Alexandria
As of 5:46 p.m., Dominion Energy's outage map shows no active outages in Alexandria. The Wind Advisory remains in effect from 8 p.m. to midnight, with gusts up to 55 mph expected.
4:28 p.m. | Power nearly fully restored; Wind Advisory issued for tonight; another storm round possible
As of 4:15 p.m., outages across Alexandria have dropped dramatically to just one customer without power, in the Arlandria neighborhood. Crews have been dispatched and restoration time is listed as reassessing condition — a significant improvement from the peak of more than 400 customers without power earlier in the day.
The day is not over yet, however. The NWS has issued a Wind Advisory for the Washington metropolitan area, including Alexandria, from 8 p.m. to midnight tonight. West winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph are expected behind the cold front. Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects, bring down tree limbs, and cause additional power outages. Drivers should use extra caution, particularly those in high-profile vehicles.
The NWS also notes that another round of gusty showers and thunderstorms may impact the area later this afternoon and evening. Residents should remain weather aware through the overnight hours.
3:18 p.m. | Tornado Watch cancelled for Alexandria
The National Weather Service has cancelled Tornado Watch No. 67 for Alexandria and the broader Northern Virginia and Washington region, effective 3:18 p.m.
Residents should remain weather aware, however, as the storm system is still moving through the area. The Rosemont and Potomac West outages remain active. Continue to monitor alerts and avoid any downed power lines or storm debris.
3:15 p.m. | Outages shift as storm moves in; Rosemont now affected
Two active Dominion Energy outages are affecting approximately 480 Alexandria customers as of 3:15 p.m. The Potomac West outage remains at 433 customers, with crews working and restoration time now listed as "reassessing condition." A new outage has emerged in the Rosemont neighborhood, affecting 46 customers, with crews dispatched and estimated restoration between 6 and 11 p.m.
Residents can monitor outages at outagemap.dominionenergy.com or report issues by calling Dominion Energy at 1-866-366-4357.
3:10 p.m. | City cancels nearly all evening meetings
The city has canceled nearly all remaining meetings on tonight's calendar due to the storm. The Commission on Aging Housing Committee, Visit Alexandria Board of Governors, Social Services Advisory Board, and Environmental Policy Commission have all been canceled, joining the Board of Zoning Appeals and Budget Work Session No. 4, which were previously announced as canceled.
2:46 p.m. | Tonight's budget work session canceled, rescheduled to Wednesday
The City Council Budget Work Session No. 4 — Livable, Green & Prospering — scheduled for tonight at 7 p.m. has been canceled due to inclement weather. It will be rescheduled to Wednesday, March 18, at 7 p.m. at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center, 4850 Mark Center Drive, where it will be held jointly with Work Session No. 5 — Healthy, Thriving & Equitable.
The meeting is open to the public and will be available to watch online at alexandriava.gov/Dockets. Public comments are not received during work sessions but can be submitted online.
1:50 p.m. | City issues formal alert as tornado watch continues; outages holding at 434
The City of Alexandria issued a formal alert at 1:47 p.m. confirming the city remains under a tornado watch until 7 p.m. Public works teams have been deployed to prepare for downed traffic signals and debris removal. Dominion Energy reports 434 customers remain without power.
Residents are directed to the following resources:
— Non-emergency concerns (debris, downed signals, flooding): Alex 311 portal or 703.746.4311. After 7 p.m., call 703.746.4444.
— Power outages: Notify Dominion Energy online or call 1-866-366-4357.
— Police, fire, or emergency medical: Call 911.
— Language access: Email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3960.
For the latest on facility closures and service impacts, visit alexandriava.gov/Alert.
1:10 p.m. | Alexandria Library cancels all programs after 2 p.m.; DASH adjusting service
Alexandria Library announced at 1:03 p.m. that all programs after 2 p.m. today are canceled due to inclement weather. Residents should check the library's website for updates on operating status.
DASH Bus is warning riders to expect minor to moderate service disruptions this afternoon. If a tornado warning is issued, DASH will temporarily suspend all service until it is lifted — riders should seek immediate shelter and not wait at bus stops during a warning. Additional delays or detours are possible due to fallen trees, downed power lines, or road debris.
Lines 103 and 104 will begin early service at 1 p.m. with normal 30-minute frequency. Customer service will be available until 7 p.m. Lost and Found will close at 2 p.m.
Riders should check DASH service alerts before traveling at dashbus.com/alert-list.
12:40 p.m. | Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Alexandria until 1:15 p.m.; ground stop lifted at DCA; outages holding at 433
The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Alexandria, in effect until 1:15 p.m. A severe thunderstorm was located near Bull Run — about 7 miles south of Centreville — at 12:39 p.m., moving northeast at 55 mph.
The primary hazard is wind gusts up to 60 mph. Damaging winds could bring down trees and large branches, block roadways, cause localized power outages, and turn unsecured objects into projectiles. Residents are urged to move immediately to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Remain alert for a possible tornado. The Tornado Watch remains in effect until 7 p.m.
The updated NWS forecast calls for showers and thunderstorms developing between 2 and 4 p.m., becoming more likely after 4 p.m., with a high near 72 degrees and south wind gusts as high as 43 mph. Tonight, showers and possibly severe thunderstorms continue before midnight as temperatures plunge to a low around 31 degrees, with gusts up to 44 mph. Tuesday brings a calmer but cold day, with a high near 42 degrees and an overnight low around 27.
The ground stop at Reagan National has been lifted. The ground delay program averaging 102 minutes due to wind remains in effect through 11:59 p.m.
The primary Dominion Energy outage remains at 433 customers, with estimated restoration between noon and 3 p.m. Residents can monitor outages at outagemap.dominionenergy.com.
12:05 p.m. | DCA ground stop continues; courthouse closing at 2 p.m.; Alexandria outages climb to 433
The Alexandria Courthouse will close at 2 p.m. today due to the threat of severe weather.
The ground stop at Reagan National remains in effect through 12:30 p.m., with a medium probability of extension. The ground delay program averaging 102 minutes due to wind continues through 11:59 p.m. Travelers should check with their airline before heading to the airport.
The primary Dominion Energy outage has grown to 433 customers, up from 395 at last check. Estimated restoration remains noon to 3 p.m.
11:35 a.m. | DCA hit with ground stop, major delays as storm approaches
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is experiencing significant disruptions Monday morning as the storm system moves into the region.
The FAA has issued a ground stop for DCA, in effect from 11:01 a.m. through 12:30 p.m., halting departures bound for Reagan National due to thunderstorms. The probability of an extension is medium, at 30 to 60 percent.
A separate ground delay program is also in effect through 11:59 p.m., with departures to DCA facing average delays of 102 minutes due to wind. The delays apply to flights from across the contiguous United States and several Canadian airports.
Travelers with flights into or out of Reagan National today should check with their airline before heading to the airport.
11:11 a.m. | Outage update: 395 customers without power as of 11:01 a.m.
Three active Dominion Energy outages continue in Alexandria, affecting a combined 395 customers as of 11:01 a.m.
The primary Potomac West outage has grown slightly from 346 to 380 customers, with crews working and estimated restoration between noon and 3 p.m. A second outage affecting 14 customers carries an estimated restoration window of 2 to 5 p.m. A third, new outage affecting 1 customer is awaiting crew assignment, also with an estimated restoration window of 2 to 5 p.m.
All three outages list the cause as pending investigation — and all are occurring before the storm's most dangerous window, forecast for 3 to 7 p.m.
Residents can monitor outages and report issues at outagemap.dominionenergy.com.
11:01 a.m. | TORNADO WATCH issued for Alexandria until 7 p.m.
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has issued a Tornado Watch for Alexandria, effective until 7 p.m. Monday.
The watch — Tornado Watch No. 67 — covers a broad area of Virginia including the city of Alexandria, Fairfax, Arlington, Prince William, Loudoun, Stafford, Spotsylvania and dozens of other localities. It is in effect from approximately 10:50 a.m. through 7 p.m.
A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Residents should be prepared to take shelter immediately if a Tornado Warning — which means a tornado has been detected or is imminent — is issued.
The NWS continues to warn of severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts of 70 to 80 mph and the potential for an isolated stronger tornado, with the most dangerous conditions expected between 3 and 7 p.m. A Gale Warning remains in effect for all area waters through 1 a.m. Tuesday.
What to do during a Tornado Watch: — Identify the safest place in your home or building — an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows — Stay weather aware and monitor alerts closely — Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone — Be prepared to act immediately if a Tornado Warning is issued
More information is available at alexandriava.gov/alert.
10:45 a.m. | Businesses closing early or not opening; check before you go
With severe weather expected to intensify this afternoon, numerous Alexandria restaurants and businesses are announcing early closures or full-day closures on social media. Residents are strongly encouraged to check with any business — restaurant, shop, gym, or otherwise — before heading out today or tonight.
The most dangerous period of the storm remains forecast for 3 to 7 p.m.
10:32 a.m. | Outage count rises as two new smaller outages reported
As of 10:32 a.m., three active Dominion Energy outages are affecting Alexandria customers, with a combined total of approximately 369 customers without power.
The primary Potomac West outage (346 customers) remains unchanged, with crews working and estimated restoration between noon and 3 p.m. The cause remains pending investigation.
Two new smaller outages have emerged. One is affecting 9 customers, with estimated restoration between 2 and 5 p.m. — crews have not yet been assigned. A second new outage is affecting 14 customers, also with an estimated restoration window of 2 to 5 p.m. Both new outages list the cause as pending investigation.
All three outages are occurring well ahead of the storm's most dangerous window, which city and federal forecasters have said is expected between 3 and 7 p.m.
Residents can monitor outages and report issues at outagemap.dominionenergy.com.
10:02 a.m. | North Ridge outage resolved; Potomac West outage continues
As of 10:02 a.m., the larger North Ridge outage affecting 1,256 customers appears to have been resolved. One active outage remains in the Potomac West neighborhood, centered around the Landover Street and Hickory Street area, affecting 346 customers.
Dominion Energy lists the cause as pending investigation, with crews on scene and estimated restoration between noon and 3 p.m.
Residents can monitor outages and report issues at outagemap.dominionenergy.com.
9:32 a.m. | Power outages grow to 1,603 customers across North Ridge and Potomac West
Dominion Energy's outage map shows two active outages in Alexandria as of 9:31 a.m., with a combined 1,603 customers without power out of 71,263 served in the city.
The larger outage, centered in the North Ridge neighborhood, has left 1,256 customers without power. Dominion lists the cause as emergency work, with crews on scene and estimated restoration between 1 and 4 p.m.
A second outage in the Potomac West neighborhood is affecting 346 customers. The cause remains pending investigation, with crews working and estimated restoration between noon and 3 p.m.
The outages are occurring ahead of the most dangerous period of today's storm, which forecasters and Mayor Gaskins have said is expected between 3 and 7 p.m.
Residents can monitor outages and report issues at outagemap.dominionenergy.com.
9:11 a.m. | NWS updates Hazardous Weather Outlook: Damaging winds, tornadoes remain primary threats
The National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington office issued an updated Hazardous Weather Outlook at 8:54 a.m. Monday, reaffirming the threat of severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds and tornadoes this afternoon and evening for the Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria area.
The outlook warns of the potential for significant damage from wind gusts of 70 to 80 mph, as well as an isolated stronger tornado. Strong wind gusts not associated with thunderstorms could also result in isolated instances of wind damage this afternoon.
A Gale Warning remains in effect for all area waters through 1 a.m. Tuesday. Weather spotters have been activated across the region given the severity of the threat.
Another round of strong winds is possible Tuesday behind the cold front.
9:08 a.m. | Mayor Gaskins: Storm risk upgraded to 'moderate,' severe weather expected 3-7 p.m.
Mayor Alyia Gaskins posted a video update at 8:40 a.m. Monday announcing that the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has upgraded the severe weather outlook for Alexandria to moderate risk — level 4 of 5 — indicating an increased potential for significant severe weather.
"The last time we received this categorization was in August of 2023," Gaskins said. "And during that storm there were over 205 reports of local severe weather."
The mayor said the city is monitoring the potential for damaging winds, tornadoes and minor tidal flooding, with the most severe conditions expected between 3 and 7 p.m. along the I-95 corridor.
Among the city's preparations, Gaskins said the Office of Emergency Management is participating in regional coordination calls with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the National Weather Service. City departments are reviewing operational and staffing capacity, ensuring crews are available for downed trees, coordinating with Dominion Energy on potential power outages, and securing loose items at public buildings that could become hazardous during the storm.
Residents can follow the city at @AlexandriaVAGov, visit alexandriava.gov, or sign up for eNews alerts for the most up-to-date information.
8:45 a.m. | Power outage hits North Ridge neighborhood
As of 8:45 a.m., 955 Dominion Energy customers are without power in Alexandria's North Ridge neighborhood, bounded roughly by Russell Road and West Braddock Road. The cause is pending investigation. Dominion Energy estimates power will be restored between noon and 3 p.m.
Residents can monitor the outage and report issues at outagemap.dominionenergy.com.
7:57 a.m. | ACPS announces 2-hour early dismissal
Alexandria City Public Schools announced all schools and offices will dismiss two hours early. All afternoon and evening activities on ACPS school grounds are canceled. Morning Preschool will dismiss at 10 a.m. Afternoon Preschool begins at 10:15 a.m. Read the full ACPS announcement [here].
6:07 a.m. | NWS issues Hazardous Weather Outlook
The National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington office warned of severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds of 70 to 80 mph and tornadoes likely this afternoon and evening. A Gale Warning is in effect for all area waters through 1 a.m. Tuesday.
We will continue to update this story as conditions develop. Tips and reports can be sent to ryan@alexandriabrief.com.
Ryan Belmore
