As Blizzard Moves On, #DCDigOut Begins

Winter storm Jonas/Snowzilla/Gorf has moved up the East Coast and left the Capitol Hill area with sunny weather and plenty of snow to deal with. H Street Weather Geek measured just over 22 inches of total snow in the H Street corridor area.

This morning, Mayor Muriel Bowser held a press conference to ask pedestrians and cars to stay off roads as the District Department of Transportation begins to clear streets. She also announced that D.C. Public Schools will be closed tomorrow as the cleanup continues.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority will make an announcement about Metrorail and bus service this afternoon, but is not expected to resume service until tomorrow morning at the earliest.

Because Metro remains closed, Ice Yards at The Yards, which was slated to take place today, has been pushed to next Saturday.

As Capitol Hill area residents emerge from their snow bunkers to shovel, restock or sled, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of the snow in the area:

Pitch In to Dig Out

At her press conference this morning, Bowser once again urged residents and businesses to clear sidewalks in their area to keep pedestrians safely off the streets.

Bowser also renewed calls for residents to volunteer to help their neighbors dig out by joining the DC Resident Snow Team and clearing sidewalks for seniors and neighbors with disabilities.

Residents can also call 202-727-7925 to find out if there is someone nearby who needs help clearing their sidewalk.

#NoSavesies

The Metropolitan Police Department warned drivers today that officers will be ticketing cars that obstruct snow clean up efforts.

Police Chief Cathy Lanier also warned those who must drive that they cannot “save” their parking space after they’ve left.

.@DCPoliceDept Chief Lanier: You can't "save" your parking space on the street just b/c you dug out your car. #NoSavesies

— Public Safety in DC (@SafeDC) January 23, 2016

Have Some Fun

Between the shoveling and the parking tickets, it’s important to remember to have fun in the snow too.

Plenty of children (and adults) made their way to the U.S. Capitol this morning and yesterday to experience the first year of legal snowing on the Capitol grounds.

Judging by the tracks and footprints in the snow, plenty of Hill area residents sled free at the Capitol this year. Tim Krepp, the leader of last year’s #SledFreeOrDie protest that defied the ban by sledding at the Capitol even noted that the ban being lifted may have made the Capitol too mainstream for his band of sledding pioneers.

No one sleds there any more. It's too crowded. pic.twitter.com/VW054AEqW0

— Tim Krepp (@timkrepp) January 24, 2016

For those more interested in throwing snow than gliding on it, a massive snowball fight is being organized between 1 and 2 at Lincoln Park on Capitol Hill.

Lincoln Park DC Snowball Fight!! 1-2pm Sunday 1/24. At statue of President Lincoln in his park @PoPville @theHillisHome @DCist

— philabroad (@philabroad) January 23, 2016

What’s Open?

Many Capitol Hill area businesses will be opening their doors today for diners and shoppers eager to shake off the cabin fever. Here are opening’s we’ve seen so far. Know other places that are open today? Let us know is the comments!

• Metro Mutts at 508 H St. NE is open today
• Sona Creamery at Eastern Market will open at 1 with a limited menu and full bar
• Garrison restaurant at 524 8th St. SE is open
• DCanter Wines at 545 8th St. SE is open from noon-6 p.m. with a mulled wine tasting from 1-4 p.m.
• Sally’s Middle Name at 1320 H St. NE opened for brunch at 10 a.m.
• Argonaut at 1433 H St. NE opened for brunch at 10 a.m.
• Peregrinbe Espresso at Eastern Market is open until 4 p.m. today
• Boundary Road at 414 H St. NE opened for brunch at 11:30 a.m. and will stay open for dinner at 5:30 p.m.
• Granville Moore’s at 1238 H St. NE opened at 11 a.m. for brunch and mussels
• Uni Bistro at 403 H St. NE is open today
• Po Boy Jim at 709 H St. NE opened at noon
•  Hanks On The Hill at 633 Pennsylvania Ave. SE opened at noon with a limited menu and a $10 mix & match bottomless drink special
• Ebenezers Coffeehouse at 201 F St. NE is open until 4 p.m.
• Bluejacket at 300 Tingey St. SE will open at 1:30 p.m. today with a full bar and a limited food menu
• Agua 301 restaurant at 301 Water St. SE will open at 3 p.m. with a happy hour from 3:30-7 p.m.
• The Big Board at 421 H St. NE opened at noon with a full menu
• Barrel restaurant at 613 Pennsylvania Ave. SE is open for brunch

Video via H St. Weather Geek