BUFFALO, N.Y. — From high fashion and colorful coats, to Bernie Sander's viral mittens, Wednesday's Inauguration at the United States Capitol in Washington D.C. was a perfect example of how everyone dresses for the cold... differently.
Wednesday's forecast for the Inauguration called for cool temperatures, a partly to mostly cloudy sky with temperatures only in the low 40s. For an outdoor ceremony in mid-January in D.C., that's not too far from what most would expect weather-wise anyway.
There was never a threat for dangerous cold or impactful snow showers, but a few flurries fell in the D.C. area earlier in the day.
So attendees knew to dress warmly, but comfortably, with coats, gloves and a face mask for the occasion. Other additions included scarves, like the one worn by former President George W. Bush, and mittens, like the ones worn by Senator Bernie Sanders. Many spectators also brought blankets and hats to stay warm while watching the ceremony.
Speaking of Bernie Sander's mittens, it turns out that those mittens were made by a Vermont teacher from repurposed sweaters. You can read more about them here.
Also, take into account that many attendees were sitting for the ceremony on an elevated platform. 40 degrees, cloudy and stationary will have a different feel than 40 degrees, sunny and walking around. Not to mention, not everyone is accustomed to or a fan of cooler weather.
Again, this was another example of how everyone dresses for the cold and how each outdoor occasion, especially in the winter, will have a different feel. This can also be seen through outdoor sporting events, festivals, etc. But from a meteorologist's perspective, better to be overprepared and bring those warm hats, scarves and mittens than not.
And high temperatures officially reached 46 degrees in downtown D.C. on January 20th, fitting for the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States.
