Winter storm hits Washington as it moves across US East Coast

A winter snowstorm blanketed the nation’s capital Monday, closing government offices, snarling travel and grounding the president’s helicopter.

People participate in a snowball fight organized by the D.C. Snowball Fight Association, on the National Mall in the snow, in Washington, Jan. 3, 2022.

Up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) was forecast for the District of Columbia and parts of Virginia and Maryland.

A member of President Joe Biden's security detail walks across the tarmac before the president deplanes Air Force One during a winter snowstorm at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, Jan. 3, 2022.

Dozens of flights were delayed or canceled at the city's three main airports, according to FlightAware.com’s misery map.

A quarter of the flights at New York’s three major airports were delayed or called off as well.

Rob Lucchesi cross-country skis along the National Mall, in Washington, Jan. 3, 2022.

A woman poses for a photograph beneath a snow-covered statue at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall, in Washington, U.S., Jan. 3, 2022.

Snow falls at the White House in Washington, Jan. 3, 2022.

People push a huge snowball as a husky runs beside in front of the Washington Monument, in Washington, Jan. 3, 2022.

The Washington Monument appears among snow-covered trees in Washington, D.C., Jan. 3, 2022.

President Joe Biden arrives on Air Force One during winter snowstorm at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, Jan. 3, 2022.

A couple walk along the National Mall during a snowstorm in Washington, U.S., Jan. 3, 2022.

A person walks along a path as a large United States flag waves in gusty wind during a snowstorm, Jan. 3, 2022.

A couple walk with their child up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during a snowstorm in Washington, Jan. 3, 2022.

A man walks past snow-covered trees during a snowstorm in Washington, U.S., Jan. 3, 2022.

Snow falls at the White House early in the morning in Washington, Jan. 3, 2022.

The sun sets behind snow-covered trees on the National Mall, Jan. 3, 2022.

A jogger makes her way along the National Mall during a snowstorm in Washington, Jan. 3, 2022.

Downed trees cover the sidewalk outside the Internal Revenue Service during a snowstorm in Washington, D.C., U.S., Jan. 3, 2022.

Snow-covered cable and power lines crisscross a backyard alley in a neighborhood in Washington, D.C., Jan. 3, 2022.

Late afternoon sunlight hits the west face of the White House after a winter storm over the capital region, Jan. 3, 2022.

Bikes sit idle and covered in snow at a bike share station in a neighborhood in Washington, D.C., Jan. 3, 2022.

The U.S. Capitol is seen following a winter storm along the National Mall in Washington, Jan. 3, 2022.

The Marine Corp Memorial of Iwo Jima is seen after a winter storm, Jan. 3, 2022.

Snow falls during a winter storm over the U.S. capital region, Jan. 3, 2022.

Birds search for food in the snow as snowfalls of 5-10 inches blanketed the Maryland suburbs of Washington, Jan. 3, 2022.

The sun sets over the Tidal Basin as the Jefferson Memorial is seen through snow-covered trees in Washington, Jan. 3, 2022.

A cross-country skier is seen on the National Mall amidst heavy snow in Washington, U.S., Jan. 3, 2022.