dc snow sequel

not only snowflakes but the accumulated snow itself came knocking on my window today.
the second round of snow brought another 10 to 15cm/4 to 6 inches over night and into the afternoon today.



















whatever burgeoning activity there was yesterday on the streets and sidewalks has been literally muted again. we only hear the wind, which is much stronger than over the past five days, blowing around the corner of the house. seldom cars roll by silently on the barely visible road.















no wonder. the wind creates white out conditions from time to time. it is also much colder than the past few days. on sunday we merrily hiked for about five hours through the winter landscape. while briskly walking we didn't even need gloves. today the frosty air crept through the cotton easily chilling fingers and toes during just ten minutes going around the block.
















turning off from 14th street into a side road that normally is two lanes wide, we entered a white field. sidewalks were even worse off. whatever shoveling people did before has been undone. barely anyone is outside except for a couple of brave dog walkers. no one really makes another attempt at digging out their cars or clearing the side walk.















no buses run, the metro -- i read online -- apart from a police car i saw a plough truck. as usual with the shield in the air so not to touch the snowy road... federal offices have remained closed today.















the only thing left to do is to stay at home where luckily electricity, warm water, and the Internet keep running. yesterday's business partially was to prepare for today so as to have enough food, which we also luckily have.

let's see what my window view can offer tomorrow.


here's a description of the situation which puts this weather anomaly into perspective by the washington post:

"It's not often we witness a 100-year-plus record fall. Perhaps it's fitting it went out in such extreme fashion today. As reported here earlier, National Airport's preliminary (2 p.m.) snow total of 54.9" for the 2009-2010 winter thus far puts D.C. above the previous high mark of 54.4" set way back in 1898-1899. Baltimore has also broken its all-time record with this event.

Snow will gradually diminish through early evening as the precipitation shield slowly drifts to the north and east, but strong winds gusting to around 50 mph will continue through the evening causing ground blizzard conditions and drifting snow.

Through tonight: Any leftover snow departs this evening and skies clear. Winds remain strong, gusting past 50 mph early and easing just a bit late. Temperatures range from the low-to-upper teens for lows.

Tomorrow (Thursday): Unlike the dig out from Snowmageddon's wet snow, this one will present challenges from drifting. Strong winds continue for much of the day with gusts past 30 mph at times before diminishing late. Sunshine returns with highs probably near or a smidge above freezing in the low-and-mid 30s."