Washington Agencies to Open Two Hours Late on Monday

Federal agencies will open two hours late on Monday, with the option for employees to take unscheduled leave or telework, the Office of Personnel Management announced Sunday evening.

With weather forecasts calling for the possibility of freezing rain starting in the middle of the night, federal officials made the move in an effort to alleviate rush-hour commuting concerns. 

In a Facebook post, OPM Director Katherine Archuleta wrote, "After working closely with the National Weather Service (NWS) and local departments of transportation, we concluded that a two-hour delay with the option for unscheduled leave or unscheduled telework offered the maximum flexibility for federal employees and their families in the Washington D.C. area. While roads have been pre-treated, the NWS expects rain or freezing rain after 3:00am, becoming all rain after 9:00 a.m. when temperatures are expected to be above freezing."

Last Tuesday, OPM kept agencies open when forecasts called for the possibility of snow, which fell in larger-than-expected amounts, snarling traffic during the morning rush.