High Winds in DC Topple National Christmas Tree

The nation's capital has been pummeled by high winds for the past two days. On Saturday, the winds had taken their toll on the National Christmas Tree, reportedly snapping the tree at its base.  The famous tree is planted on the Ellipse, an area located between the White House and the Washington Monument:

via CNN:

The nation’s most energy-efficient National Christmas Tree doesn’t appear to be the nation’s most energy-resistant one. The 42-foot tall Colorado blue spruce snapped at its base Saturday morning in Washington.

While the cause of the tree toppling is yet unknown, the National Weather Service issued a “High Wind Warning” for the DC area Saturday noting that, “heavy wind gusts between 25 and 60 mph” were expected and supposed to be at their strongest right around the time a tipster told CNN the tree was downed.

The first lighting ceremony was hosted in 1923 by President Calvin Coolidge. The 2010 lighting ceremony marked the tree's 85th anniversary.