Occupy DC Buckles Down For Cold Snap

Folks at the Occupy DC encampment in McPherson Square are preparing themselves for the cold snap that is expected to hit the D.C. area in the coming days. It promises to be the most trying physical challenge so far for those who have dwelled in the 100 some odd tents since October.

According to NBC Washington's weather forecast, temperatures are expected to dip as low as 35 degrees overnight into Tuesday, and as low as 20 degrees into Wednesday. Gusts are expected to reach as high as 30 mph as well.

While the weather promises to be a hurdle, an Occupy protester who known as "Bear" says that the group has already made preparations.

"We have been preparing with hot soups, hot foods, hot coffee," he says. "We've got extra sweaters and extra clothing that has been donated. We've reinforced the tents with some of the blue tarps to cut the wind down some, because the wind is the major killer during cold snaps, as we've seen in the past."

In the past, Occupyiers have attempted to erect sturdier structures to better enable them to endure the elements, but such efforts have been taken down by U.S. Park Police. Early in December, as many as 31 were arrested after refusing to dismantle one such structure, and another was built and subsequently taken down without resistance last week.

Asked whether there are any plans to erect another structure in the coming days, Bear says: "Not to my knowledge. That doesn't mean there isn't a plan, I just don't know of one."