Weather forecasters are predicting bitter cold and winds for the area through early next week and the possibility of a snowfall over the weekend that could dampen the spirits of millions flocking to the capital for President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration.
Accuweather.com on Thursday released a forecast that had D.C.’s high temperature at 20 degrees today — the lowest in more than a decade. The weather is expected to be about 10 degrees colder than average through the inauguration with biting winds making it feel even colder.
Accuweather experts are also monitoring a snowstorm that could dump on the capital late Sunday and into early Monday. The District’s infrastructure already is having to deal with the crowds starting to pour into the nation’s capital. Extreme cold and snow complicate matters even more.
Mayor Adrian Fenty’s spokeswoman, Jo’Ellen Countee, said that city leaders met to develop “a snow plan” Thursday but that she didn’t know what the plan was.
Federal officials have promised to put the District on lockdown for the inauguration, shutting down the major bridges into the city and setting up checkpoints in a 3.5-mile perimeter around the National Mall.
Accuweather is reminding spectators to dress warmly with heavy coats and lots of layers.
Terry Lynch of the D.C. Downtown Cluster of Congregations, said he doubted the cold weather would turn off the crowds.
“So many folks have waited a lifetime for this to happen, and believed it never would, that they are going to come out in huge crowds regardless of how cold it gets,” he said.
Several downtown churches will also throw open their doors and offer food and drink to passers-by, Lynch said.
D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton met with federal officials last week and persuaded them to leave several public buildings open during the inaugural so that the public can use them as warming “rest stops.”
