Snow With Sunshine: The Pictures

* Windy & Cold: Full Forecast | Later: Snow With Sun - The Explanation *

Presidents' Day sunrise in Oakton, Va., Feb. 16, 2009. What makes this sunrise unique is that light snow was falling from a blue sky above. Because this is a low-resolution and wide-angle image, only a few of the larger flakes are visible. If you look carefully they are small specks above the sun, to the left and right (marked with arrows).

What made Monday's sunrise in Fairfax County unusual was that fluffy snowflakes were falling from a bright, blue sky as the sun rose above the horizon. This is the third time this winter season I've seen snow falling from a blue sky, and I'm actually starting to find it mildly annoying. I suppose I'm like many snow-starved Washingtonians yearning for a good ol' fashioned snowstorm.

Keep reading for more photos and commentary. Check back with CWG early this afternoon for an explanation of how snowflakes can fall from blue skies.

Snow falls from a blue sky, Feb. 16. The flakes appear as black dots against the sky.

Instead of any significant snow whatsoever, we receive rainstorm after rainstorm, and then are teased with sun-filled snow flurries. I just want some dark, slate-gray skies and heavy snow, at least once or twice this season. There's plenty of time for sunshine from March through November.

Light snow falls during the morning of Feb. 16.

Anyway, I guess that's enough for my snow rant. Remember to check back early this afternoon for the explanation that goes with these pictures.