Widespread Power Outage in NW DC

9:30pm update: Power has been restored in Cleveland Park.

9pm update: Parts of Georgetown, Brightwood, Hillcrest and Brookland are also without electricity.

Update: Metrobus service will stop tonight, Wednesday, by 9:30pm. For more information visit http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4816.

8:30pm update: Power is out in large parts of Cleveland Park, Glover Park, Shepherd Park, and Tenleytown. There are unconfirmed reports that a transformer blew.

If you have no electricity you're not alone. A large swath of Cleveland Park and beyond is without power.

Preceding the power outage was some brilliant snow-thunder.

It may be a cold night for a lot of people.

Snowmageddon Revisited

Today's snow won't approach Snowmageddon proportions. Just in case you forgot what last winter looked like, here are some snapshots from Snowmageddon 2010. On February 10, 2010, Washington, DC broke its snow record, with 54.9 inches of snow. The previous record was set during the winter of 1898 - 1899, with 54.4 inches of snow.

Recommended: YakTrax to Keep You Safe on Icy Sidewalks

Our companion email list, the Cleveland Park Listserv, is a treasure trove of recommendations. We want to share on All Life Is Local, on a periodic basis, the best recommendations that have been posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv. You'll be able to search All Life Is Local for "contractor," "plumber," "computer tech," "auto body shop" -- whatever you need. The search box, in case you have trouble finding it, is to the right.

Since you can't count on all homeowners, the city, or landlords to shovel the snow, you need a way to keep yourself safe when you encounter snow and ice in your way.  Here's what has worked for me: YakTrax. These pull on over your boots or shoes and give terrific traction. They're like tire chains for your feet. Great for walking the dog, coming home from work, taking a winter walk. You might want to keep a pair at home and a work, just in case you're caught off guard by a sudden winter storm. Just remember to take them off before you step inside onto your nice tile or wood floor, so that you don't scratch the floor.

Have a safe winter!

Good Morning: It's a Mitten day

You're not going to be alone if, when you step outside this morning, you go "brrr." After a nighttime low in the lower 20's, it will warm up today only to about 30 degrees.  But with winds of about 25 miles per hour, it's going to feel as if it's in the mid-20's with the wind chill factor.

While it's still to early to predict with certainty, the possibility exists for a major snowstorm in the mid-Atlantic and New England between December 12 - 14. Something's coming weather-wise during that period: Look for either a possible blizzard or just heavy rain.