Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-29
HIGH W|NDAND SNOW
SWEEP THE CAPITAL
Residents shiver in Coolest
Weather of the Winter, So
Degrees Above Zero.
MAY CONTINUE FOUR DAYS

Shivering in the coolest weather OF
the winter today, thermometers register
ing 50 degrees (oficiaD above zero early
this morning, the National Capital was
reassured by word which came from the
weather bureau at noon that there was
little likelihood of blizzard.
The city awoke this morning to find
itself in the grip of what seemed a
veritable blizzard, with strong wind
from the northwest sweeping a dry
snow about the streets. The snow con-
tinued the greater part of the fore
noon.
Early morning traffic on the street
car lines of the city was somewhat de-
layed by the storm, but there was NO
serious congestion.
Unsettled weather, with occasional
local SHOWS, will be the portion of the
District tonight and tomorrow. Prof
Henry, the local forecaster at the
weather bureau, predicted today
Says Blizzard Is Unlikely.
There is no telling just exactly when
the snow flurries will stop, the fore
caster said, but it is not likely they
will assume blizzard proportions.
Ordinarily, when the wind turns to
the northwest and there is rising
barometer, as is the situation here,
present occasion the south is upsetting
predictions. Down south the barometer
refuses to rise, and as long as it re-
mains recalcitrant, the capital must ex-
pect unsettled weather, SHOWS and al
most anything else that accompanies
cold weather.
The cold spell will last until the mid
die of next week, at least, the weather
bureau thinks.
Hundreds Forced to Walk.
Hundreds of persons were forced to
walk to work through the storm this
morning, on account of crowded street
cars. Scores awaited the advent OF
every car. and the congestion was SO
great that hundreds preferred to walk.
in fact, were forced to walk. There was
a general slowing up of the street car
service, due to the snow. but no serious
congestion. Trouble on the tracks of
the Washington Railway and Electric
railway early in the morning incon-
venienced many persons employed in
the government printing office. more
especially those living in East WASH
ington. and many peruons were forced
fhermometef,s hung at degrees
above zero until after II o'clock this
morning, and at noon had scarcely
reached degrees.
Skaters were in their element this
afternoon on the tidal basin and the
pelican pond at the Zoo. After the
snow was swept off at noon the skat-
ing places were at their best.
Best of Skating for Enthusiasts.
The low temperature prevailing prom
ises the best of skating for District
enthusiasts fer several days to come.
Owing to the general dryness caused
by a high barometer, the intense cold
this morning, So degrees above zero.
did not seem to many as cold as De-
cember Is and 16. when the thermom-
eters registered 10 degrees above.
Fire engines called out this morning,
especially those of the motor variety.
experienced some difficulty in pumping,
the engines jumping"
a great, thick blanket of intensely
cold air. lying sluggishly over the
country from the upper Mississippi
valley to the seaboard. has plunged the
whole eastern section of the United
States into a cold snap from which the
weather bureau forsees no immediate
relief.
While record low temperatures may
be shown in some places. the cold gen
orally does not equal that of the mid
December snap. 1t is stated, but it is
none the less effective as an agent of
distress and suffering in many 1ocaIi-
ties where there are coal shortages in
tensifled by the increased difficulties Of
transportation and communication.
High Barometer Responsible.
in the language of the weather
sharps, an "anti-cyclone" is RESPONSE
eb1e for the change. This is nothing
less than an extraordinarily high barom-
eter. touching this morning as high
as thirty-one inches. something sell
dom seen in winter weather This con-
djtion. prevailing over a great terri
tory. means that an area of high at
mospheric pressure, impregnated with
cold. has suddenly settled down over
the eastern section. and by its superior
weight and force has crowded out to
sea the low pressure area which con-
tanned all the warmer air.
Around the edges of the high pres
sure area there are rain and snow but
the whole great mass has settled so
sluggishly and gives so little disposi-
tion to move on and give place to
warmer airs that the weather bureau
warns the country 1t may not expect