Capitol Christmas

December 18, 2000

Cap_tree_border

Provided by: U.S. Senate
Summary authors & editors: Jim Foster

The National Christmas tree, a fir from Colorado, adorns the capitol grounds and gives a warm glow to an otherwise dreary day in the nation's capital. The above photograph was taken on December 14 after freezing rain in the overnight hours produced a coat of glaze across the Washington DC area. On occasion, the air aloft is warmer than it is at the surface, and if the surface temperatures are below freezing, rain will freeze upon contact with trees, cars, roads etc. This sometimes creates beautiful scenery but often results in dangerous traffic problems, broken tree limbs and power outages.

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