By Scott Kupor, Director, U.S. Office of Personnel Management
January 27, 2026

I grew up in Texas and have spent most of my career in California, so I’ll be the first to admit snow days were never really part of my life.

In Texas, a little ice meant everything shut down. In California, weather emergencies usually came in the form of earthquakes, wildfires, or drought. So, when I took on this role and inherited responsibility for setting the federal government’s operating status in the National Capital Region, I quickly learned just how much planning, coordination, and precision goes into every decision, especially when winter weather hits.

When severe weather or other emergencies threaten the National Capital Region, one of the most common questions federal employees and their families ask is simple: Who decides the operating status—and how? Now, this most recent storm we probably all saw coming. But the decision to close the government (with maximum telework, of course) is not made lightly.

Here’s what that process looks like.

What “operating status” means

A change in operating status means federal facilities in the National Capital Region may adjust their normal business hours or work arrangements. That can include delayed openings, early dismissals, expanded telework, or other flexibilities.

What it never means is that the federal government stops working.

Even during major events, emergency personnel continue reporting in person, and many other employees shift to telework to ensure critical services continue without interruption. Keeping government running safely and effectively is always our priority.

Operating status changes are most often driven by weather events like snowstorms or hurricanes, but they can also occur in response to other hazards, including public health emergencies.

A thoughtful, multi-step process

Operating status decisions are not made lightly, and they don’t happen often. When they do, they follow a structured, multi-step process that begins well before any announcement is issued.

It starts inside OPM’s  operations center, where our emergency management team continuously monitors conditions that could affect federal operations. When potential concerns arise, the team alerts senior leadership and places OPM support staff on standby.

If a change appears likely, OPM convenes with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments regional group that includes more than 200 partners, such as the National Weather Service, WMATA, regional transportation and public works agencies, school districts, and local law enforcement.

These partners provide real-time, on-the-ground insight into weather conditions, road safety, transit operations, and community impacts. OPM leaders use that information to build a full picture of what’s happening across the region.

Based on that collective assessment, I make the final decision on whether to change the federal government’s operating status.

How we communicate

When a change is made, OPM issues an official alert and updates our platforms so federal employees and agencies have clear, consistent information as quickly as possible.

For the most reliable updates, resources, and operating status announcements, visit opm.gov and follow OPM on social media.

Whether it’s a snowstorm, a hurricane, or something entirely different, our objective is always the same: protect the federal workforce, maintain continuity of government, and make sure federal employees have the information they need to plan their day safely.

Even for a guy who didn’t grow up with snow days, that responsibility is one I take seriously and one OPM works on around the clock.