Snow covers Washington as US shutdown continues

As a partial government shutdown continues in the US, the longest in its history, residents of the Washington area woke on Sunday to find that heavy snow had fallen overnight.

Snow is seen falling at night in front of the White HouseReuters

Still more snow is expected to fall, but here are pictures showing the scenes in Washington on Sunday:

People sledging on Capitol Hill in WashingtonEPA

Winter Storm Gia brought the first snow of the year to Washington

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People sledging on Capitol Hill in WashingtonAFP

People took to Capitol Hill to sled down the slope

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Statue of Andrew Jackson covered in snowEPA

Snow blanketed a statue of Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, in Lafayette Square

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A vehicle clears snow to create a path next to the White HouseAFP

US Park Service workers had to clear snow from the White House driveway

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People participate in a snowball fight on the National MallAFP

Snowball fights ensued on the National Mall

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Three people wear American Revolution outfits while walking in snowAFP

This group were seen walking in Rock Creek Park dressed in American Revolution outfits

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A man kite surfs in the snowAFP

A man used a kite to snowboard on the National Mall next to the Washington Monument

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A man in a sleeping bag sleeps in the snowAFP

A homeless man was seen resting above a warm air vent near the White House.

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A hawk dives to catch prey in the snow on the National MallEPA

Photographer Ting Shen caught this shot of a hawk diving to catch prey in the snow on the National Mall

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A dog wrapped up in the coat of a manEPA

Vinny the dog was wrapped up warm with its owner in Fairfax Station, Virginia

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