Record
The fifth snowstorm of the winter is winding down in the D.C. area this Wednesday evening. Precipitation hasn't stopped completely, we'll probably spend most of the day tomorrow (if not longer) digging out, and we're told to expect high winds tomorrow that may bring down trees and power lines.
Still, there's some joy to be extracted from the fact that, even if it doesn't snow another flake, the region appears to have registered the most snow of any winter season since records have been kept. Our 55.6 inches to date topped the previous record (54.4 inches the winter of 1898-1899) by more than an inch. A new record! And wow, that's measured officially for Washington DC at Reagan National Airport, which always has far less snow than most other parts of our area.
Off the Record
One effect of all that snow, coming down copiously and with a strong wind behind it today, was that the U.S. Capitol, where the Senate and Congress might be meeting today if it weren't snowing, was completely obliterated from view. You couldn't see it from a block away. (I've looked for a photo to reproduce here but can't find one; I suppose nobody wants to publish a picture of something that isn't there.) Still, certain political factions are said to be looking into how they can make the effect permanent.
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