A major storm has blanketed the U.S. capital and other northeastern
cities with as much as 30 centimeters of snow, making it difficult or
impossible for people to travel around the region.
Officials on Saturday implored citizens to stay inside their homes and
avoid driving because the storm was dropping snow faster than crews
could clear it.
Much of Washington's public transportation was shut down as streets
became impassable and snow accumulated on the tracks of the region's
Metrorail system.
The storm also impacted Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City.
Airlines canceled flights, and snowplows cleared the runway at Andrews Air Force Base so President Barack Obama's plane (Air Force One) could land after his return trip from Copenhagen.
The president later joked with reporters that he was glad to see the snow because it reminded him of his hometown, Chicago, (in the midwestern state of Illinois) where heavy winter snows are commonplace.
Many others were not so glad to see the snow. Retailers were forced to
close on the Saturday before Christmas, normally a day of heavy
shopping activity.