My car did not start this morning. Any thoughts as to why?

Earlier this morning when it was about 14 degrees F out, I got in my car to go to work. I noticed there was snow on the windows. In my early morning stupor, I thought it was light enough for the windshield wipers to remove. So as soon as I started my car with my foot pressing on the brakes, I immediately turned on the wipers--it was virtually done at the same time. I saw the wipers start to go up but struggled to lift the heavier-than-expected snow. Then I felt the brake pedal pushing back a bit and that's when the car dying down on me. A bunch of dashboard lights came on while other dashboard lights faded out.. Eventually, everything faded out.

The only light I remember that was on was on the Push Start button.

At some point, within a few minutes as I was trying to figure things out in this panic, I put the FOB key into the slot (it's usually kept in my pocket) and then I started my car as normal. I started up but I noticed everything dashboard light was on while it said my gas was near-empty (It was last seen last full). Here's a picture:

Imgur

(Note where my windshield wipers stop; it was stuck in that position.)

I turned my car back off again. Then I turned it back on and, after a few strange dashboard lights switching on and off, my car started to resume normally. The gas tank was reading as expected.

After a few minutes of making sure everything was working just fine, I drove my usual 30 miles to work and here I am now trying to figure out why..

What happened? I initially thought it was the cold but my car's been through much colder conditions here in Chicago. Did my brilliant decision to use the windshield wipers to remove the heavy snow deplete the car's power?! This is what I suspect, and it probably took some time to recharge everything.

A few specs:
- 2008 Prius, purchased as new. Regular scheduled maintenance are performed at the dealership.
- ~116K miles
- Mostly highway driving

Any inputs would be greatly appreciated as I'm currently looking to sell this car in the near-future.