The Washington Monument closed Sunday because of high winds, interrupting the plans of people seeking to enjoy an extra hour of sunshine following the start of daylight-saving time.

Winds reached 35 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 52 mph during a regional gale warning, issued when sustained winds reach a certain range not associated with tropical cyclones.

High winds can damage trees, flying debris and building collapses, according to the National Weather Service. Such occurrences can lead to power outages and damage to buildings and vehicles.

Though the National Park Service issued an apology for the inconvenience of the closing, it’s not the first time inclement weather has caused the historical tourist attraction to be off limits to onlookers.

In 2021, the monument closed for at least four consecutive days because of a lightning strike that caused damage to its electrical system, which took days to repair. Though the structure is routinely struck by lightning at least a few times a year, it was the first time a lightning strike caused issues.

A year later, a snowstorm also caused the monument and neighboring attractions to close to the public. And in 2011, the ground underneath the monument shook because of a rare 5.8-magnitude Virginia earthquake, causing the granite and marble site to close for more than two years and costing up to $15 million in repairs.