Freezing snow storm Frida slams into East Coast and compounds nation's COVID paralysis: One million are left without power as up to 11 inches of snow falls, closing testing centers and D.C. government offices
- As much as 11 inches of snow fell in the District of Columbia, northern Virginia and central Maryland through Monday afternoon
- Gusts of up to 35 mph were experienced making travel all the more difficult due to the hazardous conditions
- More than 3,000 flights were cancelled at airport hubs along the East Coast
- A quarter of the flights at New York's three major airports were delayed or canceled as well
- The snow grounded President Joe Biden's helicopter. He drove to the White House from Andrews Air Force Base in suburban Maryland after a weekend in Delaware
Nearly one million people are without power on Monday evening after winter storm Frida slammed into the East Coast earlier in the day dropping as much as eleven inches of snow on the region.
The storm closed government offices and schools in DC and forced airlines operating out of hubs throughout the northeast to cancel more than 3,000 flights.
Snow blanketed the District of Columbia, northern Virginia and central Maryland, New Jersey and North Carolina throughout the afternoon. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter storm warning for the area until at least 4 pm EST Monday.
Most of the snow fell in parts of eastern Virginia to the eastern shore of Maryland, much of Delaware and southern New Jersey. Frida is set to move out into the Atlantic this evening, meaning parts of the United States that sit north of DC should be spared the worst of its bad weather.
Snow falls along the East Front Plaza during a storm on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Monday
A snowman is seen in front of the Washington Monument after a snowstorm in Washington, D.C.
People play in the snow after a snowstorm in Washington, D.C., just in front of the famous Washington monument
The U.S. Capitol Building is seen after a snowstorm in Washington, D.C., which shuttered multiple federal offices
A snowplow works near the White House after a snowstorm in Washington, D.C., with the president's address blending in with its wintry background
A person crosses the street as snow falls during a winter storm over the capital region on January 3, 2022 in Washington, DC.
Snow falls over the U.S. Capitol Building on Monday, in Washington, D.C.
Snow falls at theWhite House as the first snowstorm of the season hits Washington DC
A U.S. Capitol Police officer directs visitors away from the hillside after a number of tree branches had fallen, amid a snow storm
Diane Santos, originally from Brazil, films a Facebook Live video as she experiences her first snowfall
Will Modi, left, reacts after being hit by a snowball by Nicole D'ercole , right, during a snow storm on Capitol Hill
Much of the storm has now left the coast and is heading out into the Atlantic, however freezing temperatures remain
Up to 18 inches (3 feet) was expected in part of Maryland and 12 inches (2 feet) in New Jersey. Other cities along the the I-95 corridor including Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia were likely to receive between 1 and 5 inches of snow
A snowplow removes snow around the Lincoln Memorial following a snowstorm in Washington on Monday
A couple walks towards the United States Capitol by the Reflecting Pool following a snowstorm in Washington
A person walks a dog as snow falls during a winter storm over the capital region on Monday
Snow falls over Blanton Road in Hanover County, Virginia
Downed trees are seen blocking an Amtrak Auto Train during a major winter snow storm hitting the Northern Virginia area
A tree lies across Scotchtown Road in Hanover County, Virginia, during a snowstorm
Trees laden with snow lie on Blanton Road in Hanover County, Virginia
Trees unable to bear the weight of the snow collapsed onto the roadside
Downtown Richmond as seen from the VCU Broad Street parking garage on Monday in Richmond, Virginia
Snow spotters for the National Weather Service reported accumulations of 11.5 inches in the D.C. suburb of Capitol Heights, Maryland, and 10 inches in Rose Hill, Virginia, by the time the storm wound down Monday afternoon.
At Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, 6.7 inches of snow was reported. Farther south, in Chancellorsville, Virginia, 12.1 inches was reported.
'It was balmy and foggy yesterday and then 6 inches of snow this morning, not even 12 hours later. That's not something I've seen before,' said Shawn Devroude, 52, a federal worker who braved the blizzard-like conditions in the nation's capital to play with his nine-year-old border collie, MoJo, at the Naval Memorial.
The heavy snowfall, coupled with closings caused by the surge in coronavirus cases, forced much of Washington to shut down. Four of the Smithsonian museums had already closed in late December due to a COVID-19 outbreak, and the National Zoo announced Monday that it would close for the day because of the snow.
People compete during the 'Battle of Snomicron' snowball fight along the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol in Washington
Late afternoon sunlight hits the West face of the White House after a winter storm over the capital region
The U.S. Capitol is seen following a winter storm along the National Mall in Washington
People clash during the 'Battle of Snomicron' snowball fight along the National Mall
The U.S. Capitol is seen at sunset following a winter storm along the National Mall in Washington on Monday
Jamie Earl uses cross country skis while passing East Capitol Street, amid a snow storm on Capitol Hill in Washington
A mother and child play in the snow near the U.S. Capitol as a winter storm hits the Mid-Atlantic region covering Washington
The U.S Capitol is seen through snow covered trees as a winter storm hits the Mid-Atlantic region covering Washington
A person makes their way down Libby Hill Park on Monday in Richmond, Virginia
Callie makes her way to the Short Pump Park with her owners, Jason and Asher Brown, in Henrico County, Virginia
A person makes their way down Libby Hill Park on Monday, in Richmond, Virginia
The U.S Capitol is seen through snow covered trees as a winter storm hits the Mid-Atlantic region covering Washington
People cross the street as a winter storm hits the Mid-Atlantic region covering Washington, DC on Monday
People clash during the 'Battle of Snomicron' snowball fight along the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol in Washington
People make their way down Libby Hill Park on Monday, in Richmond, Virginia
People make their way down Libby Hill Park on Monday in Richmond
A U.S. Capitol Police Officer stands guard along the East Front Plaza during a storm on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Snow falls at the White House in Washington, Monday as a winter storm blows into the Mid-Atlantic area
- After a bruising holiday week of flight cancellations and record surges in Covid-19 cases, a powerful winter storm Monday further snarled US transport and shuttered the federal government and schools.
A winter storm blanketed streets in and around Washington DC on Monday, closing government offices and schools
A person crosses the street as snow falls during a winter storm over the capital region on Monday
A winter storm hammered the capital and other parts of the mid-Atlantic, with up to 10 inches of snow falling
Joanie Madden waits for a shuttle as snow falls in Glassboro, New Jersey on Monday. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for Delaware and much of the Eastern Shore and southern New Jersey
Snow falls over the U.S. Capitol Building on Monday in Washington, DC. A winter storm warning for the District and adjacent counties was issued until late on Monday afternoon
Strong wind gusts and snow falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour made travel treacherous. In Virginia, state police responded to more than 600 traffic accidents, including a crash involving six tractor-trailers. State police said no injuries were reported in the crash.
After a bruising holiday week of flight cancellations and record surges in COVID-19 cases, the powerful winter storm Monday further snarled US transport, with nearly 3,500 flights canceled by 10 am on Monday.
Although New York will be mostly spared, Frida could dump up to 18 inches of snow in the eastern US region, officials said.
Wind gusts of up to 35 mph were forecast, and travel was expected to be very difficult because of the hazardous conditions, the weather service said.
Many COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites were closed in Virginia and in Maryland due to the inclement weather.
The snow also grounded President Joe Biden's helicopter, so he was driven to the White House from Andrews Air Force Base in suburban Maryland, instead of being ferried back to downtown Washington by helicopter.
According to the NWS, the snow storm is expected to affect the East Coast through Tuesday at 7 am.
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning until 4 pm EST Monday for certain areas in the East Coast
A boat is covered with snow as it is docked in Ego Alley in downtown Annapolis, Maryland
Forecast Map of Winter Storm Frida moving across the East Coast
Powerful winter storm packs heavy winds and snow across the East Coast
Wind gusts of up to 35 mph were forecast, and travel was expected to be very difficult because of the hazardous conditions, the weather service said
Forecast map of winter wtorm Frida - Large winter weather system moving across Washington DC and the mid-Atlantic Monday January 3
Lily Siu, left, and Maya Siu play on a snow-covered playground at Federal Hill Park, Monday, January 3, 2022, in Baltimore
A postal worker pushes packages through the snow on January 3, 2022 in Washington, DC
View of a stranded bus as a major winter snow storm hitting the Northern Virginia area cripples traffic at the start of the work week in the new year
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the area until 4 pm.EST Monday
View of a stranded car on the highway as major winter snow storm hitting the Northern Virginia area cripples traffic at the start of the work week in the new year
Snowballs fly during a snowball fight organized by the DC Snowball Fight Association, on the National Mall in the snow
A family walks on a snow covered block of the Mount Pleasant neighborhood on January 3, 2022 in Washington, DC
Two girls visiting from Boulder, Colorado, enjoy the flurries as a winter storm delivers heavy snow to the Capitol in Washington
Snow-covered cable and power lines crisscross a backyard alley in a neighborhood in Washington, DC
Snow blows sideways in gusty wind as a woman strolls with a dog at Federal Hill Park
WHITE OUT AT THE WHITE HOUSE ¿¿ pic.twitter.com/kkBAeS74aD
— Ed O'Keefe (@edokeefe) January 3, 2022
President Joe Biden made a slow return to Washington after spending about a week in Delaware. The snow grounded Biden's helicopter, so he motorcaded to the White House from Joint Base Andrews in suburban Maryland, a slow slog that took nearly an hour.
With snow blanketing the streets in and around the nation's capital, the White House Press briefing was canceled, although Biden's other public events were still on.
Andrea Klein, 23, a graduate student at Georgetown University, welcomed the snow after spending the past two weeks in quarantine when one of her roommates tested positive for COVID-19.
'Things have been feeling a bit stressful in the world lately so to walk around in the snow with friends is a nice return to normalcy,' she said, while strolling around the National Mall taking pictures.
Many COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites were closed in D.C., Virginia and in Maryland due to the weather. Multiple school districts in the region also said they would be closed, delayed or have virtual learning Monday.
Karla Rivas, who is originally from Miami but now lives in Baltimore, experienced her first-ever winter storm.
'I love it,' she said. 'I feel like it´s great to have the seasons.'
A groundskeeper clears the driveway in front of the West Wing of the White House
A view of the city as the first snowstorm of the season hits Washington DC
The National Cathedral is seen as snow falls in Washington
Lily Whitesell with her three children Silvio, Thiago, and Inti Carvallo prepare to descend the big hill behind Lemon Road Elementary during a snow storm in Falls Church, Virginia
Visitors from France enjoy the scenery as a winter storm delivers heavy snow to the Capitol
Wind gusts of up to 35 mph were forecast, and travel was expected to be very difficult because of the hazardous conditions, the weather service said
A man stands covered in snow during a snowball fight organized by the DC Snowball Fight Association, on the National Mall in the snow
Liz Cote, center, watches as her son Ezra Crocombe, 4, left, attempts to sled down a hill as her other son Ori Crocombe, 1, looks on, Monday, January 3, 2022, in Baltimore
Downed trees cover the sidewalk outside the Internal Revenue Service in Washington, DC
The winter storm closed government offices, schools and COVID-19 testing and vaccination centers on Monday with the National Weather Service forecast as much as 10 inches of snow in the region surrounding the nation's capital
A bicyclist rides along the East Front Plaza during a snow storm on Capitol Hill in Washington
Snow falls at the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022
A snowman sit on the Mall near the US Capitol building
Snow blankets the statues of soldiers in the the Korean War Veterans Memorial
Large winter weather system moving across Washington DC and the mid-Atlantic Monday January 3
Much of the mid-Atlantic could see it's first significant winter weather on Monday morning during the commute
Snow blankets a neighborhood in Baltimore on Monday, January 3
Snow flies during a snowball fight organized by the DC Snowball Fight Association, on the National Mall in the snow
A snowball fight organized by the DC Snowball Fight Association
The Weather Prediction Center said two inches of snow per hour could fall in some areas, and thunder snow was possible.
More than 500,000 customers were without power Monday morning as the winter storm warning extended from northern Alabama and southern Tennessee through Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland.
'This is not a very typical setup for us, especially this time of year for us,' said Austin Mansfield, a weather service meteorologist in Virginia. 'When we are talking highly populated areas, increasing accumulation of snow becomes problematic.'
Despite the weather, the public school system in North Carolina's Wake County decided to hold classes for its 150,000 students on Monday. Some questioned that decision.
Following bouts of severe weather over the weekend, more than 610,000 customers are without power across the East Coast.
— MyRadar Weather (@MyRadarWX) January 3, 2022
Here's a breakdown:
¿¿ North Carolina - 181k+
¿¿ Virginia - 146k+
¿¿ Georgia - 120k+
¿¿ South Carolina - 98k+
¿¿ Tennessee - 63k+ pic.twitter.com/JixjkI1Zqi
Virginia State Police said the agency has responded to nearly 560 crashes and 522 'stuck' vehicles just on Monday
'This is exactly why we've been asking only those who HAVE to travel to be on the roads today in the midst of the storm. #VSP troopers, wrecker services, and #VDOT crews are responding as quickly as we can to the multiple stuck/disabled vehicles on I-95 at the #rappahannockriver,' the agency tweeted
Sheriff's Deputies worked for several hours to free more than a dozen stuck/disabled tractor-trailers, and the agency asked travelers to avoid the stretch until conditions improved
Downed trees cover 10th Street outside the Internal Revenue Service during a snowstorm in Washington
he District is expecting up to eight inches of snow from its first winter storm of the season
The sun sets behind snow covered trees on the National Mall
Snow falls during a winter storm over the capital region on January 3
'I was just in the carpool lane at Wake Forest High school and witnessed a tree fall on a car. Huge sparks from the power line above us,' said Twitter user Angela Carter. 'This is unacceptable weather to have parents, teens buses driving on the roads. Make better decisions!'
Meanwhile, Virginia State Police said the agency has responded to nearly 560 crashes and 522 'stuck' vehicles just on Monday.
'This is exactly why we've been asking only those who HAVE to travel to be on the roads today in the midst of the storm. #VSP troopers, wrecker services, and #VDOT crews are responding as quickly as we can to the multiple stuck/disabled vehicles on I-95 at the #rappahannockriver,' the agency tweeted.
Sheriff's Deputies worked for several hours to free more than a dozen stuck/disabled tractor-trailers, and the agency asked travelers to avoid the stretch until conditions improved.
More than 110,00 people in North Carolina experienced power outages near Winston-Salem and Greensboro, according to the Duke's Energy live outage map
A winter storm packing heavy snow rolled into the District of Columbia, northern Virginia and central Maryland overnight
A street is covered in snow in Bethesda, Maryland on January 3
People play with their dogs at a dog park in Washington, DC on January 3
Bikes sit idle and covered in snow at a bike-share station in a neighborhood in Washington, DC
A man walks down a street during a snow storm in downtown Washington, DC
Numerous cars became stuck during a snowstorm in Washington
More than 110,00 people in North Carolina experienced power outages near Winston-Salem and Greensboro, according to the Duke's Energy live outage map.
In the country, more than 825,000 have been left without power.
Snow began falling Sunday night in parts of Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee.
As much as 6 inches accumulated in north Alabama, where authorities reported multiple roads were blocked because of icy spots and wrecks, and businesses, schools and government offices delayed opening until mid-morning to allow time for temperatures to rise above freezing.
The heavy snow was expected to accumulate on roadways and power lines, causing treacherous travel conditions and potentially leaving homes and businesses without electricity throughout the region.
A street is covered in snow in Bethesda, Maryland on January 3, 2022. - A winter storm is bringing heavy snow to Washington, DC and the mid-Atlantic region on Monday
The heavy snow was expected to accumulate on roadways and power lines, causing treacherous travel conditions
Traffic slips going up a small hill on I-495, the Capital Beltway, as snow falls, Monday, January 3
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the area until 4 pm EST Monday
View of a fire truck as major winter snow storm hitting Northern Virginia
A car trapped in snow as snow storm Frida hits the Northern Virginia area
President Joe Biden was finally able to disembark from Air Force One on Monday after he was stuck on board for 30 minutes as airport personnel struggled through the heavy snowfall to bring the stair lift to the door of the presidential plane.
The truck hauling the stairs moved slowly through the thick snow with ground workers helping to push it through the accummulation.
The president was stuck on the plane, waiting on the snowy tarmac while the staff worked to free him and so the tarmac could be plowed.
Biden, 79, walked down the stairs carefully, one hand on the rail and the other held up to his face to brace himself from the driving snow. Snow rained down hard, causing the president to sway as he made his way off the plane.
In an unusual move, a Secret Service agent walked right behind the president on the stairs. Usually they keep a few feet back to stay out of the camera shot. Last March, the president slipped and fell on the stairs while boarding the presidential plane.
The presidential car, known as The Beast, was waiting for him. For the snowy drive back to the White House, Biden used the SUV version of his car instead of the armoured limousine.
It took the motorcade over an hour to make the journey from Joint Base Andrews. Typically, given that roads are cleared for the president and sirens are blaring, it takes about half that time.
US President Joe Biden arrives at Andrews Air Force Base during a snow storm on January 3, 2022, in Maryland
US President Joe Biden makes his way to board Air Force One before departing from Delaware Air National Guard Base in New Castle, Delaware
Biden was stuck on the plane while airport personnel struggled to bring the stair lift through the snow so he could exit
U.S. President Joe Biden's motorcade parks in the snow outside of the West Wing after delivering him from Joint Base Andrews to the White House in Washington
White House staff and reporters walk in the snow outside of the West Wing of the White House
President Biden's motorcade waits for him by Air Force One
Snow is visible on the Presidential seal above the entrance to the West Wing of the White House in Washington
New New York City Mayor Eric Adams deployed the salt trucks Sunday night ahead of what he believed would be 1-3 inches of snow during the morning commute and said a travel advisory would be in effect.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency beginning at 9 p.m. Sunday in five counties, advising residents to avoid travel.
Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington DC declared a snow emergency for the nation's capital from midnight until 7 p.m. Monday.
In Philadelphia, a winter weather advisory has been issued.
After a bruising holiday week of flight cancellations and record surges in COVID-19 cases, the powerful winter storm Monday further snarled US transport and shuttered the federal government and schools.
Many Americans have been scrambling to return home after the Christmas and New Year period, with several thousand flights cancelled since December 24 due to bad weather and airline staffing woes blamed in part on rising coronavirus infections among crews.
With snow blanketing the streets in and around the nation's capital, the White House Press briefing was canceled, although Biden's other public events were still on
The White House is seen as snow falls in Washington, DC on January 3
A sign is pictured at the National Gallery of Art after a winter storm over the capital region on Monday in Washington, DC.
A street is covered in snow in Washington, DC on January 3
Visitors from France enjoy the scenery as a winter storm delivers heavy snow to the Capitol in Washington, Monday, January 3
More than half the flights were delayed or canceled Monday at Washington's three major airports, according to FlightAware.com´s misery map.
A quarter of the flights at New York´s three major airports were delayed or canceled as well. In New Jersey, snow blanketed the southern half of the state, dumping about a foot near the resort town of Atlantic City.
Combined with 2,700 US flights scrapped Sunday and 2,750 grounded on Saturday, the latest cancellations compounded holiday travel misery.
Further disruptions snowballed as a winter storm hammered the capital and other parts of the mid-Atlantic as the snow came down.
'Heavy wet snow and gusty winds could bring dangerous travel conditions and scattered power outages,' the National Weather Service reported in its latest alert, warning of possible 'thunder-snow,' which includes lightning and cracks of thunder.
A winter storm is blanketing streets in and around Washington DC on Monday, closing government offices and schools
A person clears snow off a sidewalk as the first snowstorm of the season hits Washington DC
A woman walks her dog as the first snowstorm of the season hits Washington DC
Inclement weather has forced workers to stay home, but some have had to venture outside in the extreme conditions
A person crosses the street during a snowstorm
The Marine Corp Memorial of Iwo Jima is juxtaposed against the Washington Monument after a winter storm
Federal workers in and around the capital were told to stay home. But with telework becoming routine during the two-year coronavirus pandemic, it was unclear how much of the government would be affected.
Schools around the region were also closed due to snow.
Airports in Chicago and Atlanta -major transit hubs - as well as Denver, Detroit, Houston and Newark were hard hit over the weekend. By Monday the east coast airports in New York, Washington and Baltimore were scrapping the most flights.
A woman named Kayla described her own ordeal Sunday: 'I was supposed to get home at 10:30 yesterday morning. and at this point I've had 3 flights cancelled and one delayed to the point where I missed my connection.'
As much as 10 inches of snow was forecast for the District of Columbia, northern Virginia and central Maryland through the afternoon
Julia and Danielle Vrasure play with their dog, Archie, during a snow storm near the U.S. Supreme Court on Capitol Hill
Snow falls along the East Front Plaza during a storm on Capitol Hill in Washington
Authorities across Virginia and Maryland were reporting numerous crashes and treacherous roads.
The Virginia State Police urged people to travel only if necessary after responding to 82 traffic crashes as of 8 am, as people drove too fast in slick conditions.
The largest snowfall total reported in the Baltimore-Washington region on Monday morning was in Virginia's Augusta County, where a trained spotter in Greenville reported 4 inches, according to the weather service.
Maryland State Police said they responded to nine crashes, three disabled vehicles and 57 calls for service well before the heaviest snow fell.
Flooding made some roads dangerous in North Carolina.
In Washington, the US Office of Personnel Management announced that federal offices in the area would be closed on Monday.
Emergency employees and telework employees were expected to keep working, the OPM said on its website.
Multiple school districts in the region said they would be closed, delayed or have virtual learning Monday. DC Public Schools said students and staff wouldn't be returning to school until Thursday.
With temperatures in the teens forecast for overnight, Virginia State Police warned that any snow that melted during the day is expected to freeze, causing icy and dangerous road conditions. Some school districts in Virginia said schools would be closed again Tuesday.
A 7-year-old girl died Monday morning when a tree fell on a cabin in East Tennessee near the Smoky Mountains, Blount County Sheriff´s Office spokeswoman Marian O´Briant said. She said numerous trees and power lines were down all over Blount County after heavy, wet snow fell overnight. No one else was injured. Officials did not release additional information.
A 55-year-old man Delaware man died after his car ran off the road and hit a tree Monday morning as freezing rain fell in the area, according to the state police. Master Cpl. Heather Pepper said investigators haven't determined if weather was a factor in the crash.
A man walks his dog past the Supreme Court as a winter storm delivers heavy snow to Capitol Hill
A bicyclist rides along the East Front Plaza during a snow storm on Capitol Hill in Washington
A snow plow clears the snow covered road in Washington, DC on January 3
A street is covered in snow in Washington, DC on January 3, 2022. A winter storm is bringing heavy snow to Washington, DC
Snow falls at the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Monday, January 3
Other parts of the country were also dealing with a snowy start to the new year.
As much as 6 inches of snow accumulated in north Alabama, where authorities reported multiple roads were blocked because of icy spots and wrecks.
Western Washington state and Oregon were seeing a mix of rain and snow while heavy snow, gusty winds, drifts and crashes shut down mountain passes and some highways.
Even Florida woke up to a dusting of snow, with temperatures plunging in parts of the Panhandle after typical beach weather Sunday.
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