Looks like OPM got its act together to move the one piece of information offsite that everyone wants. The Feds are closed Tuesday.

Like everyone else in DC, we’ve been watching WMATA like hawks, waiting to hear what their plan for Tuesday is. The word’s just in:

Metro is continuing mostly underground-only for rail service for the time being, but the Blue and Yellow lines have both been restored enough to get into the District, and the Orange line will run completely end-to-end. The hazards of digging out all of Metro’s rail yards out from under two to three feet of snow has just been too much to bear for a system that’s having difficulty getting their necessary manpower to bear in the storm. WMATA’s Doug Karas said in an email, “What worries me is not so much clearing the aboveground track, but digging about 800 trains out of 2-3 feet of snow, clearing the track at the railyards so you can move those cars around and put the trains together.” Read the full Metro press release for details on which stations will be open.

Bus service will continue to be limited on Tuesday.

With a storm bearing down for tomorrow afternoon, threatening to bring 10-20 inches of snow, Metro’s possibly facing (continued) above-ground rail closures and further bus delays/cancellations as we make our way into the rest of the week. Metro is asking for folks to help try to shovel out bus stops, as people in the road waiting for the bus are a traffic hazard, so if you get a chance, help dig out your nearest stop.

This is a picture of the latest suggested transportation method for DC

Logan Johnson, Senior Meteorologist with the National Weather Service, comes through yet again for the readers of We Love DC. The only thing I have to add to this thorough forecast and commentary is this: I am declaring the official #hashtag for this storm (and the whole winter) to be #snowdiculous. You are welcome.

The latest round in the boxing match with Old Man Winter will take the form of yet another powerful snowstorm taking aim on the DC area. In what has quickly gone from a snow lover’s dream winter…to something that now resembles more of a sick cosmic joke…the next storm looks poised to drop snow amounts better measured with yard sticks than rulers.

This latest installment will feature low pressure developing Tuesday near the Gulf of Mexico, and turning northwards. As it does, a new, stronger low pressure will form off the Carolina coast, spreading moisture north into the Mid-Atlantic region, as it interacts with cold air in place to fall in the form of snow.

The National Weather Service has posted Winter Storm Warnings for the DC metro area, and forecasted amounts range from 10 to 20 inches. For a city still digging out from last week’s storm, this will cause further travel difficulties, and as the snow falls heavily again, travel will become difficult or nearly impossible. By now, we know the drill, but staying off the roads and heeding all warnings from local authorities are the way to make it through another large storm.

With snow beginning late Tuesday afternoon and evening, the heaviest snow will fall during the overnight hours and into Wednesday morning. Periods of snow will continue through much of Wednesday, with things winding down by the evening. This storm will feature heavy snowfall, with rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour common during the peak intensity of the storm.

A storm of this magnitude would be significant on its own, but the fact that now possibly three storms have featured a foot or more of snow in the District in one winter is epic. If you are living here during the winter of 2009-2010 and its Snow Blitz, take lots of notes and pictures to share with your grandkids some day, because you’re living right through history.

Somebody make it stop! Save us!

So did you see the big game on NBC yesterday?

You heard me right.

Yesterday’s big game wasn’t played in Miami, aired on CBS, filled with cheesy, stupid commercials. It was right here in DC, in the heart of snowmageddon. It was the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Washington Capitals. And yesterday, that game lived up to every fan’s dream, regardless which side of center ice they were on.

Seriously. Four times a year these two rivals meet – and I wouldn’t be presumptuous at all to claim that both the Pens and the Caps see it as an archrivalry. It’s probably one of the most intense regular-season contest series in all of hockey, and yesterday was no exception. (To drive home the point – I climbed up on my roof to clear it of snow just so my DirecTV dish could receive the game. No AM radio for me!)

‘Rock The Red (Wide) at Verizon Center’
courtesy of ‘clydeorama’

By now, everyone here knows of the result. A 5-4 OT win for the Caps, borne on the shoulders of Ovechkin’s hat trick and Mike Knuble’s OT poke from the crease. It was yet another third period rally by the Caps on their way to an impressive 14 game win streak, the third-best in NHL history.

There were a lot of storylines going into this game yesterday. The blizzard conditions and the massive dig-out that hampered even Caps owner Ted Leonsis; the exhausting travel period for the Penguins from Saturday’s game in Montreal; the concern that fans might endanger themselves going into town for this clash of hockey titans; the ever-present individual rivalries of both team captains. But when you got right down to it, it’s a heated and simmering rivalry between two teams that has continued to boil for over a decade and every game between them is going to be epic.

From start to finish, this game felt not like a regular season game, but a playoff one. The intensity from the players, coaches, and even fans was beyond a normal game. The Penguins came in reeling from a nasty loss to Montreal the night before and needing to prove themselves worthy of their Stanley Cup Champion title; the Caps were ready to prove themselves heirs to that title as well as maintain their impressive streak. While the outcome of the game didn’t result in the handing off of the Cup, it has set the tone for the last two games between them and – if everything falls into place in the postseason – an epic playoff series to come.

Proof? Look at the numbers. Over 70 minutes in penalties, 4 game misconducts, 9 goals – 5 of which by the first and second place goal scorers in the league (Ovechkin leads with 42, Sidney Crosby with 39), 69 shots on goal (35 by Pittsburgh), 49 hits (32 by the Caps), 11 consecutive home wins for the Caps (franchise record), and Caps goalie Jose Theodore’s own personal best of a 10 game winning streak.

Fact is, the Capitals are DC’s best sports franchise now, bar none. Yesterday’s game didn’t prove that – it only substantiated it. They don’t have to prove anything to anyone, not any more.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a diehard Penguins fan. Hard to break 24 years of conditioning, after all. But the Capitals are probably the one rivalry I respect and look forward to every year in hockey now, because frankly, these are two of the best teams on ice these days. And every time they play it’s like Super Bowl Sunday around here. GM George McPhee and Coach Bruce Boudreau have really impressed me with the building and managing of this team; every night they play is entertaining and a showcase of skill and teamwork, you can’t help but walk away rooting for them – even if only a little. Only Flyers fans could be so calloused and cold – but then again, they’re Flyers fans. (Just kidding! Okay, maybe.)

Enjoy the winning feeling, Caps fans. With this team and coaching staff, you’ll get to enjoy it for a long time coming. And I’ve no doubt that soon enough, Lord Stanley’s Cup will make a year-long stopover in the nation’s capital. And I’ll be in line with the rest of you to enjoy it.

Lincoln Memorial covered in snow by Sgt. Simeon Klebaner, US Park Police Aviation Section

Sgt. Simeon Klebaner of the US Park Police’s Aviation division does, though, and while out on patrol snapped some fantastic aerial shots of our fair town smothered in almost two feet of snow.

Yes, I know there’s another storm coming, and you’re all sick of not being able to go anywhere, but look at those photos. They might make you feel better about snomgasm 3.0!

There’s more white crap on the way (seriously, since I am basically suspended in mid-move waiting for delivery of things like my COUCH and my BED, I couldn’t be more over this nonsense), so we thought we’d take a minute to reiterate Kirk’s very sound suggestions for surviving a Snowpocalypse. Kirk’s got the scoop on the supplies you need to have on hand, how not to kill yourself in your own car, and how to keep the snow under control around your home. I quote:

Make sure you’ve got blankets and logs for your fireplace (if you have one), in case you lose heat. Finally, get the appropriate clothing, particularly boots.  There’s a saying that goes “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes.” This couldn’t be more true. Buy warm, water proof gear, and layer it up.

Read it, follow the advice, and make sure you’re ready to stay safe and warm during this next storm. And let us know what you recommend for surviving the Snowpocalypse.

It’s time for another item on the DC Omnivore 100 list of the top one hundred foods every good omnivore should try at least once in their lives.

Let’s see, everyone’s a bit chilly and in need of some rib-sticking stew to belly up before digging yourself out of all this snow, and hey didn’t someone tell me a certain football team from New Orleans won some big deal game last night? So yes, I think it’s time for some gumbo!

Gumbo’s one of those culinary dishes that gives literal meaning to the phrase “America’s melting pot.” A wide variety of influences – Cajun, Creole, Indian, African, French – all come together in a substantial and delicious stew. There are as many different versions of gumbo as there are cooks; even the name’s origins are varied. Is “gumbo” from the Angolan word for okra, or the Choctaw word for sassafras? Should the predominant color be red or green?

There are a few key ingredients that everyone seems to agree have to be present – beyond that, it’s a dish you can have fun experimenting with! And if you aren’t culinarily inclined, there are several restaurants in DC that you can snuggle up in with a pot of gumbo and pretend you’re in New Orleans… so let’s dive in.

Most agree that gumbo as we know it originated in the grand city of New Orleans, my favorite American city after beloved DC, and its ingredients mirror the city’s merging cultures. You’ve got the French soup style of bouillabaisse marrying the Spanish “holy trinity” of onion, celery and bell pepper with the Choctaw sassafras or file powder spicing it all up – or instead of the file powder, the African vegetable okra, especially in the winter. I personally prefer the distinctive richness that okra gives gumbo.

‘dinner3101′
courtesy of ‘carol.baby’

Besides the base of a roux, the trinity, and spice or okra, then you have the various protein combinations. Typically it’s an assortment of shellfish (mainly shrimp), chicken, and pork (mostly sausage like andouille). There’s even a version with just greens for the Lenten season (Gumbo Z’Herbes), though I’ve never seen that outside of New Orleans, it would be fun to try for the vegetarian chef. Gumbo is usually served over plain white rice – the proportions being left up to the cook. Crusty French bread completes the meal. Did I mention it’s substantial?

There are some great recipes out there, but let’s say you just aren’t in the mood to whip up a roux yourself. I have to sheepishly admit that my favorite place to get gumbo is actually downtown lunchtime spot Lawson’s, which features gumbo practically year-round as one of its three soup options at the salad bar. There are some hardcore lovers of this gumbo always lining up for the replacement pot, and I’m one of them as Lawson’s uses lots of okra, chicken and andouille sausage. In the mid-range, Bardia’s New Orleans Cafe serves it up (and you get the added benefit of being able to order gut-busting beignets afterwards), whereas for something more upscale hit Acadiana. And you can even get the file powder version at Johnny Half Shell.

So there you have it, the perfect stew for a wintery day. Please share your favorite places to get gumbo too!

Everything tastes better when it’s free – especially a delicious cupcake.  How can you get a hold of this free cupcake might you ask?  By sharing your best (or) worst pick-up lines with Dupont’s Hello Cupcake.  The “you had me at hello, cupcake” contest continues now through Valentine’s Day.  At least this time you won’t have to worry about rejection – how sweet!

Yes, I realize the vast majority of you are not Lifehacker readers and think this headline ranks somewhere along with “bologna fails at making warm hats,” but some of us were suckered in by this past Lifehacker post suggesting that non-stick cooking spray will help prevent wet snow from sticking to shovels.

If you didn’t try it, don’t bother. It might have worked for one shovel-load – might – but it surely did not make it any easier to get sticky snow off my shovel yesterday. Save your nonstick spray for your shelter-in-place omelet.

SNOW! Snowmageddon, snowpocalypse, snOMG, snogasm, snobama, Tai Shan’s last dump – whatever you want to call it, the frozen white stuff dominated our weekend. (And like unwanted houseguests, will linger for many more days to come.) Even with the nearly three feet of snow dropped in the DC area, many of our area photographers ventured out into the blizzard and its aftermath.

So while you enjoy your snow day, here’s some photos from the “Blizzard of 2010″ for you to enjoy. Probably best if you had some warm tea/coffee/hot chocolate, a roaring fire, and a blanket while you check them out…

”
courtesy of ‘erin m’

‘DSC_4765′
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’

”
courtesy of ’shbaker99′

‘L’Enfant Plaza’
courtesy of ‘Rukasu1′

‘Tow truck in the Snowmageddon’
courtesy of ‘theqspeaks’

‘Snow Ball Fight’
courtesy of ’shbaker99′

‘US Capitol in the snow’
courtesy of ‘treegrow’

”
courtesy of ‘LaTur’

”
courtesy of ‘erin m’

‘DSC_4759′
courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’

”
courtesy of ‘erin m’

’snow tree’
courtesy of ‘christaki’

‘Front loader tire treads’
courtesy of ‘Micha84′

‘A Visitor..’
courtesy of ‘Roger Photos’

‘We had a little snow today, #2.’
courtesy of ‘andertho’

‘Day One after Blizzard 2010′
courtesy of ‘KrS-NrY’

‘Wishing for a Snow Day on Monday’
courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’

‘not fit for man or beast’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99′

‘idle spreader’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99′

Great news from our friends at DDOT: the DC Circulator is running, and all rides today are free!  Keep in mind that there will be fewer buses than normal, and some routes will have changes (like in Georgetown, the Circulator isn’t going up Wisconsin).  But this sounds like a great excuse to escape cabin fever and finally get out to see the rest of the city.  And it’s free!

The word for tomorrow is out, and it’s not good:

For Monday morning, Feb. 8, commuters should expect limited underground Metrorail service to start at 7 a.m., and very limited Metrobus service from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., as icy conditions on roadways and Metrorail tracks continue to be a barrier to providing safe service. MetroAccess service for Monday will be suspended for the entire day.

Blowing snow and re-freezing are the culprits currently keeping Metro from restoring above ground rail service. Regarding Metrobus:

Fewer than two dozen Metrobus lines will be in service on Monday, Feb. 8, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. due to snowy and icy conditions that persist on the region’s roadways. Metrobuses will stick to snow emergency routes to start the day. Customers may want to take advantage of the next bus prediction technology to get an idea when the next bus will be arriving by logging onto Metro’s web site or calling 202-637-7000 and saying, “Next Bus.” Buses are expected to be moving slowly on the roads, which remain slippery.

This is a particularly rough showing for Metro in a time of dire need for the DC Metro area, and it’s not clear when things are going to get better with 4-8″ of additional precip expected this Tuesday night.

THIS JUST IN: OPM has made the call you’ve all been waiting on. The federal government in the DC area will be closed tomorrow! REJOICE!

The Washington Post reports on the decision here. Approximate cost to taxpayers is around $100m per day closed. But go ahead and enjoy that snow day anyway. In other news, it looks like the OPM.gov is actually down from too much traffic. OPM is also a trending topic on Twitter in DC.

Check out the sweet new Aerotrain at Dulles! After making it through my underpants check at Dulles, I was greeted with the new subway system. I got in the front car and managed to get a pretty decent little video of the trip out to the B Terminals (where Five Guys promptly closed when I got there. I waited for that cheeseburger, you douches, why the hell are you closing during snowpocalypse? FOAD!) and now I’m headed out to San Francisco for a week of IT conference sessions.

IAD is up and running for limited flights. Judging by the board, about two thirds the United and Delta flights are cancelled, and the remaining on time. Southwest has cancelled all their IAD flights, but Virgin seems to be up and running. If you’re headed to Dulles, you’d better hail a cab, though, as the Flyer bus is not running, not that that Metro is going to West Falls Church.

DCA is down for the count, with no flight ops planned today, and questionable for tomorrow. I would Tuesday is the earliest planes will leave from National.

BWI is saying “limited if any” service today commercially, but snow removal operations continue apace and I would bet they’ll be operating again tomorrow.

Just like every other hockey fan in the area, I’ve been wondering with baited breath whether today’s noontime matchup between the Washington Capitals and the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins was actually going to happen.

It is.

Now before you get up and rush out the door, some things to consider. First, Metro’s running underground-only, so if you’re beyond the downtown core, you have to drive in because Metrobus is out as well. BUT! Pretty much every city and county official inside and outside the Beltway are begging us to stay home if we can. Crews are working hard to clear streets and trying to restore power to affected areas; you’ll only get in the way (especially if you think you can drive in the snow; chances are, you really, really can’t).

Caps owner Ted Leonsis feels for you – he’s snowed in, too. And, according to his latest blog post, he can’t offer refunds or ticket exchanges for the game today if you can’t make it.

“I have the exact same issues as you do in getting to the game. It is important to realize that weather plays a role in many cities for many games and that as long as the teams, the officials and the building support staffs are in place and the networks can broadcast – it is game on.”

So, do as I am doing today – settle into your living room and watch the game on NBC. Ovechkin and crew may not hear you at the Verizon Center, but they know you’re behind them all the way. Let the epic struggle begin!

Courtesy of www.jasonwennet.com, a Baltimore resident, WeLoveDC has learned that Charm City has rolled out its special snow task force to help deal with the Snopocalyspe.

No word yet on if the ground storm troopers have been deployed or if DC will be implementing a similar task force.