Heavy snow hits Washington D.C. area, closes schools and cuts power to about 500,000

The U.S. Capitol is seen through snow-covered trees as a winter storm hits the Mid-Atlantic region covering Washington, D.C., on Monday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI Crowds gathered on the National Mall for a friendly snowball fight after a winter storm hit the Mid-Atlantic region. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI Crowds gathered on the National Mall for a friendly snowball fight. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI People cross the street as a winter storm hits. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI A man walks his dog near the Organization of American States building. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI People walk by fallen branches from the heavy snow after the winter storm. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI A worker clears snow off the sidewalk in front of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building near the White House. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI Snow is seen falling at the White House. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI As much as 8 inches of snow was expected to fall in the Washington, D.C., region. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI A National Park Service employee cleans the steps of the Lincoln Memorial as a winter storm hits. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI A view of the Washington Monument is obscured by snowfall. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI Flags fly in the snow at the Washington Monument. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI A woman takes a snowy photo at the World War II Memorial. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI A man walks towards the West Wing of the White House. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI A man walks in the winter storm. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI A woman walks along the reflecting pool near the Lincoln Memorial in the snow. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI

Jan. 3 (UPI) -- A winter storm produced heavy snowfall in the Washington, D.C., area on Monday, prompting a severe weather warning and closures of schools and government offices.

The snow began to fall early Monday and forecasters said they expected as many as 10 inches in some areas of northern Virginia, central Maryland and Washington, D.C.

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Local and federal government offices and schools in the area were closed due to the heavy round of winter weather. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning in effect until at least 4 p.m.

More than 9 inches were reported in Holly Corner, Va., and Waldorf, Md., by early Monday afternoon.

Hundreds of thousands of customers were without power by 12:30 p.m., due to the storm, according to Poweroutage.us. Most, about 400,000, are in northern Virginia.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a snow emergency at midnight Sunday, which closed government offices and put more than 100 plows on the road to prepare for the severe weather.

Bowser said the snow emergency will last until at least 7 p.m.

The District of Columbia Public Schools said students and staff wouldn't be able to return to classes until at least Thursday.

Late Sunday, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management urged emergency and remote-ready employees to be aware of the storm and its impact on closures.

Non-essential travel has been strongly discouraged and bus service will be available only on major roadways, officials said.

Numerous crashes were reported on roads in the Washington area -- including more than 80 in Virginia alone, authorities said.

Airports that cover the D.C. area are also on alert due to the storm and could also close if the snowfall becomes too dangerous for air travel. Three airports serve the Washington area -- Reagan National, Dulles and Baltimore/Washington International Airport.

More than 200 flights were canceled by early Monday afternoon at Reagan National and Baltimore/Washington International, according to FlightAware.

Ground stop orders were given at both airports so crews could clear snow off the runways.

Heavy snow hits D.C. area, closes schools and cuts power to about 500,000