President-elect Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony on Monday may take place inside the Capitol Rotunda as forecasts predict record-breaking cold weather for Washington, D.C. Trump shared the update on his Truth Social platform, citing concerns over public safety.

“The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., with the windchill factor, could take temperatures into severe record lows,” Trump posted. “There is an Arctic blast sweeping the country. I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way.”

The Capitol Rotunda has been designated as the contingency location for inaugurations in the event of severe weather. The last time a swearing-in ceremony was moved indoors was in 1985, when President Ronald Reagan began his second term amid frigid conditions. Monday’s forecast predicts temperatures around 22°F (-6°C) at noon, with wind gusts of 30 to 35 mph, creating a wind chill in the single digits. If realized, these would be the coldest inauguration day conditions since Reagan’s 7°F (-14°C) swearing-in.

Alternate arrangements are being considered for the approximately 250,000 ticketed guests expected to attend the ceremony on the Capitol grounds, as well as the tens of thousands of general admission attendees planning to line the parade route to the White House. Trump announced that some supporters would be able to watch the ceremony from Washington’s Capital One Arena, where he also plans to hold a rally the day prior.

Neither Trump’s inaugural committee nor the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies has provided additional details or confirmed changes to the event plans.

The frigid temperatures are reminiscent of Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration, which saw a relatively mild 28°F (-2°C) compared to the Arctic conditions anticipated this year. With safety concerns paramount, officials are bracing for a historic day in more ways than one.

Credit: AP