As Washington prepares for what will be a long weekend of inaugural celebrating, we can only imagine the shock many out-of-towners arriving today might feel. It won’t just be the crowds, nor will it be the 5,000 porto-potties lining much of the Mall. It’ll be the weather. Today may well turn out to be the coldest day in a decade in the region according to some, with wind chills bringing the temperature into the single digits. Fortunately, we should see a little warming in the coming days — or so says that Capital Weather gang — but nothing to draw us out of the 30s. It’s on days like these that we wish we had bought a Slanket or Snuggie — you know, the blanket with sleeves — instead of having mercilessly mocked them.

O’Malley Moves to Abolish Death Penalty: The Post and WTOP are reporting that Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley has is moving to abolish the death penalty in his state, following the recommendations of a state panel late last year. O’Malley has pledged to push for abolition during the state legislature’s current three-month session, though he is already facing opposition from Senate President and fellow Democrat Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. O’Malley beleives capital punishment is too expensive, unequally used and largely ineffective as a deterrent. Miller believes, well, not much — he’s just old. Sayeth Miller to the Post: “When you’re middle-aged, your mind is pretty much set on issues like this.”

Light Rail Favored for Purple Line: After 20 years of debate, it looks like the 16-mile suburban transit system known as the Purple Line is finally coming into focus. The Post reports that the Montgomery County Council voted yesterday to endorse light rail over a rapid bus system, even though the rail option is significantly more expensive. The Montgomery County Council and Prince George’s County Council are expected to second that vote in the coming weeks; Governor O’Malley will have the final say.

Briefly Noted: A full ton of beef to be served at National Harbor inaugural event … 10,000 National Guardsmen to be on hand for inauguration … Virginia schools take hit under Gov. Tim Kaine’s budget cuts … Newsflash! Traffic to snarl Tuesday commutes.

This Day in DCist: On this day in 2008, Stephen Colbert got himself into the National Portrait Gallery and Virginia debated banning bumper nuts. In 2007 a D.C. job hunter looked for advice in an strange place.

Picture taken by beingkenzo