Opm orders two-hour delayed arrival as snow prompts delays, closures for D.C.-area schools and federal offices on Feb. 23

opm has issued a two-hour delayed arrival for federal employees in the Washington, D. C. metro area for Feb. 23, offering unscheduled telework or unscheduled leave options as regional snowfall and hazardous road conditions are expected to affect the Monday commute.

Opm delay and what it means for employees

The Office of Personnel Management initiated the two-hour delay Sunday afternoon as snow began to fall and stick to the ground across the region. Federal employees can start their day two hours later on Monday to give local transportation departments time to clear roads. Employees also have the option to take unscheduled leave or to request unscheduled telework. Emergency employees are expected to report to the worksite on time unless their agencies provide alternative directions, and remote and telework employees are expected to begin their day as usual.

Telework, leave and weather-and-safety guidance

Staff should plan to arrive for work no more than two hours later than their normal expected arrival time. Detailed guidance varies by employee category:

• Telework employees not scheduled to telework but requesting unscheduled telework must be prepared to telework, take unscheduled leave, or use other paid time off to cover the entire workday. Weather-and-safety leave is generally not available to these telework employees who do not report to the office.
• Remote workers and telework employees already scheduled to telework are expected to begin their workday on time; they may request unscheduled leave if needed. Weather-and-safety leave is generally not available to remote and telework employees who do not report to the office.
• Non-telework employees, and telework employees not scheduled to telework and not requesting unscheduled telework, should either report to the office and receive weather-and-safety leave for up to two hours past their normal arrival time or request unscheduled leave for the entire workday. Weather-and-safety leave is not available to those who request unscheduled leave.
• Employees who are on preapproved leave, whether paid or unpaid, or who are using other paid time off such as compensatory time or credit hours will generally be charged for that leave or time off and will not receive weather-and-safety leave even if they request unscheduled leave or other paid time off.

Winter weather advisory, accumulations and timing

A winter weather advisory is in place from 5 p. m. Sunday to 10 a. m. Monday (ET) for the District of Columbia, Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Prince William, Manassas and Manassas Park. Forecast messages differ slightly: one local forecast projected total accumulations anywhere between 2 and 6 inches after a rainy start to Sunday, while advisory guidance cited expected total snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches with localized amounts around 5 inches. Northwest winds gusting between 30 and 40 mph are expected overnight through Monday.

Timing, road conditions and regional variations

Meteorologist Mike Stinneford indicated the heaviest snow will be expected in the evening hours and will taper off after midnight. Conditions should improve Monday as temperatures rise and lead to snow melt; however, concerns remain about the potential for freezing come Monday night. Snowfall amounts are expected to be higher in the Baltimore region. Plan on slippery road conditions; hazardous conditions are expected to impact the Monday morning commute.

Schools, local operations and next steps for employees

School systems across the D. C. metro region are delaying their starts to allow streets to clear and for melting to begin. Employees should monitor agency communications for any agency-specific directions, be prepared to telework if requesting unscheduled telework, and plan travel with the expectation of slower commutes and potentially icy conditions overnight into Monday.

opm's action aims to give federal staff additional flexibility for Feb. 23 while sanitation and transportation crews clear roads; details and agency-level exceptions may be provided by individual workplaces.