U.S. Office of Personnel Management Announces Weather-Related Changes for January 27
As of today, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has confirmed OPM status for tomorrow — Tuesday, January 27, 2026 — for federal operations in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Due to lingering impacts from a powerful winter storm that struck the region over the weekend, federal offices will remain closed with maximum telework in effect for most employees. Telework and remote work are the expectation for eligible workers, while non-telework employees will generally receive weather and safety leave for scheduled work hours. Emergency personnel are expected to report to their duty station unless directed otherwise by their respective agencies.
Call on agencies to prepare for evolving weather conditions has been clear: federal employees should check agency guidance for local updates. The closure announcement applies only to the D.C. metropolitan area and does not automatically affect federal operations outside the region; those decisions rest with individual agency leaders.
Stay tuned for further updates as conditions evolve.
Understanding the OPM Status for Tomorrow: What Federal Employees Need to Know
The Office of Personnel Management’s operating status announcements can directly impact federal employees, contractors, and the public. Here’s what the confirmed OPM status for tomorrow means for federal operations, workforce responsibilities, and affected communities.
Why OPM Issued the Closure Update
An intense winter storm blanketed much of the East Coast over the weekend, dumping heavy snow followed by ice across the Washington, D.C., region. Snow removal operations and deteriorating travel conditions prompted safety concerns for commuters and federal workers alike. In response, OPM issued an updated operating status that keeps federal offices closed on Tuesday and implements maximum telework for eligible employees.
This decision reflects OPM’s authority to determine operating statuses in emergency situations that affect federal workplaces within the Washington Capital Beltway — a jurisdictional focus that ensures coordinated federal workforce management in and around the nation’s capital.
What Federal Employees Should Expect Tomorrow
1. Office Closures and Maximum Telework
Federal facilities in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area will remain closed on Tuesday, January 27. Eligible telework employees must perform their duties remotely. Employees who normally work from a federal office but are not part of a telework program should receive weather and safety leave for the hours they were scheduled to work — unless they are on official travel, off on an alternative work schedule day, or already using preapproved leave.
Emergency personnel, including critical responders and mission-essential staff, are expected to report to work unless their agency issues specific exemptions. This framework ensures both continuity of critical operations and the safety of personnel during hazardous weather.
2. Telework Obligations and Leave Rules
Telework-eligible employees must telework during the closure. According to OPM’s regulations, remote work-ready staff are expected to continue performing their work duties during office closures unless they take other paid or unpaid leave. Weather and safety leave is typically reserved for those unable to perform work safely and who are not telework program participants.
Non-telework employees who cannot safely travel to a worksite due to ice, snow, or dangerous road conditions should generally be granted weather and safety leave for their scheduled hours. This type of leave is a specific category that covers absences due to severe weather and emergency conditions.
3. What Happens Outside the D.C. Area
The announced closure affects only federal offices within the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Federal employees in other states or regions should follow the operating status announcements made by their own agencies or local leadership. OPM’s dismissal and closure procedures encourage individual agencies to make determinations that reflect local conditions and workforce realities.
OPM’s Role in Federal Weather and Emergency Status Decisions
OPM’s authority to issue operating status announcements stems from governmentwide policies that guide federal agencies during severe weather or emergencies. These procedures standardize how closures, telework, leave, and reporting requirements are handled to ensure both employee safety and continuity of government operations.
Emergency Status Announcements
In unusual circumstances, OPM can issue governmentwide operating status declarations that apply to the entire federal workforce across the United States. However, such nationwide announcements are rare. Typically, weather-related decisions are limited to the Washington Capital Beltway, where OPM directly manages status decisions for federal employees.
Telework and Leave Regulations
Under federal code, telework program participants play a central role in emergency operations. Remote work capability allows agencies to maintain mission continuity even when physical offices are closed. OPM’s procedures outline how weather and safety leave should be applied and recorded in agency timekeeping systems.
Implications for the Broader Federal Workforce
The winter storm and resulting closure underscore the evolving nature of workforce management at the federal level. As extreme weather events become more common, OPM’s procedures provide a framework that balances staff safety with operational demands.
Federal employees in the D.C. area are now accustomed to navigating rapid status changes — from closures to telework expectations — and must stay informed through official OPM channels and agency communications.
Telework as a Standard Expectation
The expectation that telework-eligible employees continue working during closures reflects broader federal workplace trends. Agencies increasingly rely on telework to maintain productivity during emergencies, aligning with post-pandemic workplace policies that emphasize flexibility and resilience.
Practical Tips for Federal Employees Affected by Tomorrow’s Status
Stay Informed Through Official Channels
Employees should regularly check their agency’s internal announcements or the OPM operating status page for the latest updates. Many agencies also disseminate notifications via email and internal communication platforms.
Plan for Remote Work
Ensure that remote work setups, including secure access to agency systems and necessary technology, are functioning properly. Telework is mandatory for eligible staff during closures unless other leave is taken.
Understand Leave Options
Non-telework employees should coordinate with supervisors regarding weather and safety leave. In some cases, unscheduled leave options may be available if work cannot be performed remotely.
What’s Next After Tomorrow’s Weather Status
As cleanup efforts continue in the Washington, D.C., region, OPM will monitor conditions and issue further operating status updates if necessary. Federal employees and stakeholders should pay close attention to weather forecasts and official communications, as changes in conditions could prompt adjustments to work schedules or telework guidance.
The continuation of remote work arrangements likely signals an ongoing emphasis on workforce flexibility and employee safety across federal agencies. Decisions like OPM status for tomorrow play a critical role in shaping how the federal government responds to weather emergencies while ensuring continuity of operations.
We want to hear from you — share your experience or questions about tomorrow’s OPM status and how it impacts your work.