In the 2009-2010 winter season, the Washington, D.C., metro region got hit with three major blizzards, breaking the 111-year record for the most snowfall in the metro region, exceeding the last record set of 54.4" in the 1898-1899 winter season. In 2009-2010, Washington National Airport received 56.1" compared to 15.2" average; 77.0" for Baltimore compared to 18.2" average; and 73.2" at Dulles International Airport compared to 21.2" average.

Each of the three major snowstorms had a nickname. The first was the Snopocalypse, which dumped about 14 inches of snow on the Capitol, just days before Christmas. The second, in February, was the Snowmageddon, with 8 to 20 inches. Snoverkill occurred only days later, dropping another 14 inches on the Capitol.

The Snowmageddon and Snoverkill shut down the Capitol completely. No cars could travel on the roads, the metro shut down, and restaurants and stores closed. The city became quiet... and beautiful.

In this image of the Washington Monument taken from a bridge over the Tidal Basin during the Snowmageddon, the storm has just broken, the snow has stopped falling, the clouds are parting, and the sun is beginning to set.

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