President-elect Donald Trump announced that his inauguration ceremony will be moved indoors at the Capitol on Monday due to the bitter cold temperatures expected in Washington.
In a post on social media, Mr. Trump said the inauguration will be moved to the Capitol Rotunda because the “windchill factor could take temperatures into severe record lows.”
“There is an Arctic blast sweeping the country. I don’t want to see people hurt or injured in any way,” Mr. Trump wrote. “It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of law enforcement, first responders, police K9s and even horses, and hundreds of thousands of supporters that will be outside for many hours on the 20th.”
Dignitaries and guests will also be moved inside the Capitol, Mr. Trump said, calling it “a very beautiful experience for all.”
A move indoors is very rare for the public ceremony marking the transfer of power. President Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985 was also moved inside the Capitol due to the weather. The temperature that morning fell to a low of negative four degrees, and the temperature was 7 degrees at noon, making it the coldest Inauguration Day on record.
Reagan’s parade was also canceled.
Many thousands of Trump supporters are descending on Washington for the ceremony, which is usually held on the west front of the Capitol with spectators massing on the lawn below and along the Mall.
Mr. Trump also warned supporters that if they decide to come to “dress warmly.” He said that the Capital One Arena in downtown Washington will be open for a live viewing of the inauguration on its massive video screens.
Mr. Trump said he would join the crowd at Capitol One after his swearing-in. The presidential parade will also be moved to the arena, which is home to the city’s hockey and basketball teams.
The inauguration is forecast to be the coldest in 40 years. A quick-moving storm is expected to bring some snow to Washington on Sunday afternoon.
When Mr. Trump is sworn in at noon on Monday, the temperature will be about 18 or 19 degrees, However, the wind chill will make it feel like the temperature is between 5 and 10 degrees.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.