The federal government says its Washington-area offices will be closed Tuesday due to a winter storm moving into the Mid-Atlantic states.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management says nonemergency personnel in and around Washington are granted excused absences for the day. Emergency employees and telework-ready employees are expected to follow their agencies’ policies.

A winter storm warning is in effect for the Washington area until noon Tuesday. The National Weather Service is predicting 6 to 8 inches of snow. Forecasters say most of the snow will fall overnight, but there could still be some snow falling between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m.

The federal government’s closure will keep tens of thousands of commuters off the roads and rails Tuesday morning and afternoon.

It’s the first such closure this winter.

(AP)