Intrepid Voice of America journalists braved strong winds and blowing snow to photograph the early hours of a massive storm that threatens to dump near-record amounts of snow on Washington
January 2016 Snowstorm in Washington: Day 1

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A sign in southeast Washington welcomes visit to the nation's capital as it braces for a historic snowstorm (P. Datcher/VOA)

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The illuminated dome of the US Capitol could be seen through the wind-blown snow at the intersection of 3rd and E. Capitol streets in Northeast Washington (P. Datcher/VOA)

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The Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building, where the Voice of America is headquartered, is seen through the snow (S. Hossain/VOA)

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Despite the heavy snow, people gathered to make snow angels and build snowmen in front of Washington's Union Station (P. Datcher/VOA)