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Over ten days ago, Meteorologist Kevin Martin from OWSweather.com predicted a rare arctic storm to the Western United States, including the Southwestern states. Well, that time has come and Martin's prediction was correct. Kevin Martin predicted back on December 7, 2008 that a rare near historical arctic blast would hit Southern California and the Southwestern states. On December 17, 2008 this blast hit within the 13th-20th window, proving that Martin correctly predicted this arctic blast. Three to Six inches of snow fell in Vegas, with nine reported in higher elevations surrounding the strip. It was a winter wonderland. Snow shut...

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning in effect through 6 a.m. Thursday with 3 to 6 inches of snow possible, even in the lowest levels of the Las Vegas Valley, including the Strip. Snow was falling this afternoon in much of the Las Vegas Valley. Forecasters said heavy snow is possible in the valley and desert areas of Clark, Lincoln and southern Nye counties. An advisory from the weather service this afternoon called the snow event "extremely rare." Forecasters said snow will continue to fall through the afternoon before tapering off Thursday morning. Up to 10...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California's utilities, refineries and large factories must transform their operations to cut greenhouse gas emissions as part of a new climate plan before state regulators. On Thursday, the California Air Resources Board was expected to adopt what would be the nation's most sweeping global warming plan, outlining for the first time how individuals and businesses would meet a landmark 2006 law that made the state a leader on global climate change. It would hold California's worst polluters accountable for the heat-trapping emissions they produce _ transforming how people travel, utilities generate power and businesses use electricity. At...

<p>NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Snow is falling in the New Orleans area.</p> <p>The National Weather Service says a mixture of sleet and snow is falling Thursday morning from Baton Rouge east across much of southeastern Louisiana.</p> <p>The winter weather closed some schools and created hazardous driving conditions.</p>

Falling snowflakes glimmered in streetlights, so wide that they billowed to the ground like parachutes, and so tantalizing that even awestruck adults reached out their hands or stuck out their tongues to catch one. By Wednesday evening, the flakes were big enough to hold their shape for a moment on the street before melting into the pavement, and a dusting had collected on parked cars in some parts of town. The flurries tied a record for Houston's earliest snowfall ever and warmed the hearts of winter weather lovers who have pined for snow since it last made an appearance on...

BEAUMONT, Texas — An upper level storm system dumped as much as two inches of snow on some parts of Southeast Texas, creating icy road conditions and power outages, according to officials. In Texas City, one wreck involved a police car in which the officer was not injured, The Galveston Daily News reported for an online story Thursday. Icy conditions were reported on the Emmett F. Lowry Expressway in Texas City and State Highway 146. A winter weather advisory and freeze warning are in effect until 9 a.m. Thursday for areas east of I-45, said Sam Shamburger, meteorologist with the...

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - December 8, 2008 (OWSweather.com) Rare 50 year Arctic Blast Sets Sights On Southern California. With a week away, and a sure sign of things to come, OWSweather.com is making preparations on the server to handle the traffic from this next event. UJEAS is in line with the majority if not all the other models in keeping a near historical arctic air mass into the Southern California region. With a warm November, Southern California is finally ready for cold storms to make their way in. Resort level snow will be likely next week, and in pretty hefty amounts...

Mayor Richard M. Daley said Tuesday that city crews will cut back on plowing side streets this winter in an effort to save money. The mayor said the city will only plow side streets during weekday union business hours this winter, rather than during overtime hours.

UJEAS outcome for Christmas ... A series of impulses hit Southern California at the end of November, giving the area much needed rain. Cold air continued to plaster the Eastern United States. The trend continues says Meteorologist Kevin Martin.The overall pattern in November was warmer weather in the Western United States, and Colder in the Eastern country. This trend is set to continue this month. UJEAS or Upper Jet Extended Analog System, has a database of over 1/2 million different patterns. Now some of these are not valid in the past. Many ask if these are actual patterns. They...

Heat Miser is cooler, but I think I'm a snow miser ... Snow Miser vs Heat Miser

A heavy, wet snow snapped trees, which fell across tracks. The most affected regions included Zurich, Schaffhausen in the north and the areas around the Gotthard pass in central Switzerland. Passengers moving between Spiez and Interlaken south of Bern were forced to take buses when rail service there was interrupted around 7am. Broken branches and trees blocked roads. Farmers in the Bernese Oberland also awoke to snow-related problems. Damaged fences allowed their cows to wander freely. According to MeteoNews, the Swiss lowlands received the most snow for any October since records began. Zurich received 20cm, beating a record of 14cm...

This is on my list entitled "places that would be amazing to see, but somebody is going to have to pay for my trip".

Heavy snow and gusty winds are continuing in the Billings area, causing hazardous driving conditions, power outages and downed trees and limbs. Most outdoor activities have been postponed including Saturday night's Billings Central vs. Glendive football game. A winter storm warning remains in effect until 6:00 a.m. on Monday in the Billings area while a winter storm warning for heavy snow remains in effect until 6:00 a.m. on Monday. Heavy, wet snow will continue to result in downed tree limbs and power lines as well as create very difficult travel conditions through the weekend. Snowfall accumulations of five to eight...

Boise area could set record if measurable snow falls Friday or Saturday Winter weather won't hit the Boise area anywhere near as hard as eastern Idaho this weekend, but we're still within a few flakes of setting a weather record. The earliest measurable snow recorded in the fall season in Boise was Oct. 12, 1969, according to Megan Thimmesch, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Boise. The term “measurable” for snow includes .10 inch or greater. "We've been getting reports right up here in the Foothills at the Boise/Ada county line and at Ourada Ranch that it started...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - NASA extended the mission of the busy Phoenix lander Monday, saying it will operate the lander until it dies in the cold and dark of the Martian winter. It is already snowing there, above the equivalent of the Arctic circle on Mars, the researchers said. The explorer found evidence that the dust on the surface of Mars resembles seawater in its chemical makeup, adding to evidence that liquid water that once may have supported life flowed on the planet's surface. The Phoenix lander already has operated far longer than expected when it was dropped onto the Martian...

It is now consensus that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are at the heart of the systemic meltdown we are seeing in the mortgage market. They are costing taxpayers billions through their own bailouts and through the role they played in fueling an artificial mortgage boom.But eight years ago, when I testified before Congress that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's "special privileges create a serious hazard to the market, to taxpayers (and) to the economy," my criticism of these sacred financial entities was met with ridicule. At the hearing on June 21, 2000, before the House Financial Services Committee, I...

I just thought this tune is Sarah to a T.

The President and Mrs. Bush are at the WH this weekend. The President delivered his weekly radio address from the WH. In Focus: Freedom Agenda

Tony Snow, a conservative writer and commentator who cheerfully sparred with reporters in the White House briefing room during a stint as President Bush's press secretary, died July 12 of colon cancer. He was 53. The following was apparently written by Tony a couple of years ago. What a strong testimony to the faith of one person. Oh, that we all could be this strong. Blessings arrive in unexpected packages — in my case, cancer. Those of us with potentially fatal diseases — and there are millions in America today — find ourselves in the odd position of coping with...

The toxic Fred Phelps brigade known as "God Hates Fags" invaded the Tony Snow Funeral in Washington, DC. Video

He was dedicated to the domestic church of his family, loved the Lord and His Church and was committed to pursuing excellence in his chosen profession. To him, there was no conflict. All of this he saw as a part of his Baptismal vocation. A convert to the Catholic Christian faith, Tony Snow came into the full communion of the Catholic Church during his years in College. Among those who influenced him was the now well know “Evangelizer” of so many leaders at the intersection of faith and culture, my friend Fr. C. J. McCloskey III. His evangelistic and pastoral...

It was the best decision in my 62 years of professional life as a journalist. I was the Washington Times' editor in chief and looking for a new editorial page editor. Tony Snow was the first and last recommended name I interviewed. The year was 1987. ..... Tony was 32 years old. We had breakfast, lunch, and dinner the same day in a secluded beach location, away from...

Today is Tony Snow’s last day as White House press secretary. There’s no way you can remember Snow’s service to this country without revisiting his edgy exchanges with Helen Thomas.Here then are the Top Ten Tony Snow/Helen Thomas moments from his White House press briefings:

O'Reilly is doing what he does best. Calling out evil for what it is.

Now we must turn down an empty glass for Tony Snow. The expression comes from The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, as translated from the Persian by the English eccentric Edward FitzGerald. The FitzGerald translation also gave us “The moving finger writes and having writ, moves on . . .” and many other quotable lines. Anyway, at one time, journalists, particularly those who worked for newspapers, liked to treat “The Rubaiyat” as a kind of drinking song without music. It was very popular in saloons frequented by journalists, who insisted on being called newspapermen or women. It wasn't really until the...

The President and Mrs. Bush are at Camp David for the weekend. The President delivered his Saturaday radio address. President’s Radio Address. He urged Congress to address the pain that high gas prices are causing our citizens. President and Mrs. Bush were saddened to learn of the death of Tony Snow. REMARKS Vice President Cheney underwent his annual medical checkup today at George Washington Hospital. His heart was declared in stable condition, his spokeswoman said.

Fox News is announcing that Tony Snow has died. Heartbreaking news.

Longtime mountaineer Kent Beverly likes to say he has climbed nearly all of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks, more commonly called “fourteeners,” “I try to encourage people to go other places than fourteeners,” he said. “There’s literally thousands of mountains in Colorado.” This time last year, Beverly had been out for weeks... who usually starts his climbing season on Memorial Day weekend. But that wasn’t in the cards this year. An 11-year high in snow smothered Colorado’s ranges last winter, leaving much of the snowpack yet to melt. “I haven’t really been out because I know there’s a lot of snow,” According...

For the last few weeks, crews have stopped fighting snow to mowing grass, tackling weeds, striping lane lines and sweeping roads. It's back to winter operations tonight. "In 30 years I can only remember two other times when it snowed this late in the season," said Sam Krahenbuhl, Snoqualmie Pass assistant maintenance superintendent. "One time it snowed on a Fourth of July weekend. This is really rare." While it won't snow in the Puget Sound area, records for the lowest high temperature may be broken today and Tuesday. Forecasters said the high temperature today should be 57 degrees, 1 degree...

Aspen Mountain will be open to skiers and snowboarders this weekend, according to Jeff Hanle, spokesman for the Aspen Skiing Co. “Yes, we are going skiing,” Hanle said, though he could not confirm the details. The Skico previously indicated it would consider opening the mountain this weekend, which coincides with the Aspen Food & Wine Magazine Classic. It's unusual but not unprecedented to have skiing on Ajax mountain this late in the season, after Independence Pass already has opened for the summer. But highway crews only last week re-opened the 12,093-foot pass after a particularly snowy winter. Arapahoe Basin, which...

ASHLAND, Ohio (AP) - Former White House press secretary Tony Snow, diagnosed with cancer three years ago, canceled a speaking appearance at Ohio's Ashland University because of an unspecified illness, the university announced Wednesday.

Some trails and campgrounds are still under several feet of snow, keeping them closed, in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Officials said of the 34 campgrounds normally open for Memorial Day, 24 will be open for the holiday weekend. Snow covers the other 10 and most of the trails. "We had unprecedented snowpack this year and above 2,000 feet elevation you will encounter continuous snowfields, or lower, if the area is shaded," said Rodney Mace, a forest recreation staff officer. Campground openings that have been postponed include Silver Springs until May 30, and the following until June 13: Denny Creek,...

If you want evidence of CNN’s use of the 2008 primary season to chart its resurgence in the cable TV news wars, look no further than today’s announcement that the Atlanta-based network has hired former White House spokesman Tony Snow as a “political contributor.” Prior to his stint in the Bush administration, which ended last September, Snow was a dominant personality for Fox News. We could tell you about Snow’s background, but it’d be more fun for you to get it from the Fox web site. The info is not likely to be there long. The official word from CNN/U.S....

Topic: Miscellaneous items Date/Time: 4/21/2008 3:51:11 PM Title: Snow joins CNN as political contributor Posted By: Jim Romenesko News Release For Release: April 21, 2008 Tony Snow Joins CNN as Political Contributor Former White House press secretary Tony Snow will join CNN as a conservative commentator beginning today, it was announced by Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S. A well-known and respected observer of politics with a longstanding news background, Snow will contribute to CNN as the network continues to broadcast winning political coverage. Snow most recently served as press secretary to President George W. Bush from April 2006 to September...

A 50-vehicle pileup has closed I-70 in both directions at mile marker 195 on Vail Pass. The initial accident occurred on the westbound side of I-70 at mile marker 189 in Eagle County. The eastbound lane has also been closed at this time to allow emergency vehicles to access the scene. According to dispatch, there are numerous injuries and several possible amputations. There has been a mutual aid request for backup and many patients are being transported to St. Anthony's Summit Medical Center for treatment. "So far we have one patient in critical condition and two more patients just arrived...

Merry Christmas from Bailey the Unknown Reindeer

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — It doesn't snow often in Louisiana but light snow was a possibility in forecasts for parts of the state. Northwest Louisiana was under a winter weather advisory from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, with National Weather Service forecasters saying the area could see snow and sleet that would make travel difficult.

PITTSBURGH - To the list of simple childhood pleasures whose safety has been questioned, add this: eating snow. A recent study found that snow — even in relatively pristine spots like Montana and the Yukon — contains large amounts of bacteria. Parents who warn their kids not to eat dirty snow (especially the yellow variety) are left wondering whether to stop them from tasting the new-fallen stuff, too, because of Pseudomonas syringae, bacteria that can cause diseases in bean and tomato plants. But experts say there's no need to banish snow-eating along with dodgeball, unchaperoned trick-or-treating and riding a bike...

Biological organisms play a significant role in the formation of rain and snow, according to a study released Thursday by the journal Science. The discovery of these organisms and their importance in the water cycle could help researchers improve climate forecasts and better understand the relationship between the biosphere and climate, the authors concluded. They could also one day be used to bring rain to dry areas, said lead author Brent Christner of Louisiana State University. Scientists have long known that the ice crystals in clouds which become rain or snow need to cling to some kind of particle, called...

GILFORD, N.H. (AP) - Much of this week's winter carnival in Gilford has been canceled, due to too much winter. Parks and Recreation Director Herb Greene notes that the cancellation of 2 events was due to poor road conditions and snow-filled parking lots. Of the three events originally scheduled for Wednesday, the Cardboard Box Sled Derby has been rescheduled to Friday morning.

December 8 - It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our tea and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses Print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow! December 9 - We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the whole world? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had. Shoveled for the...

I'll be on vacation next week, so here's two. First, a new shot of the mountain used for "The Spy Who Loved Me" ski-parachute jump, Mt. Asgard on Baffin Island, Canada. Continuing our theme of Norse mythology in geology, here's a shot of the Jotunheimen mountains of Norway. Part of the range is a national park. The image below is half-size: click for the BIG full-size.

The snowfall continued to inch its way toward record territory across parts of northern New England as yet another storm swept into the winter-weary region overnight. The overnight snow caused power outages in many areas. Public Service Company says at the height of the problem during the night, about 10,000 homes and businesses had no power. Concord has already set a record for the snowiest December, January and February...

I saw this sign on my way to my parents' house yesterday afternoon. I thought the irony was poetic. Enjoy http://www.flickr.com/photos/9342558@N08/2286898088/

BEIJING (AFP) — Freezing weather has again swept through southern China, leaving 180,000 people stranded and causing power outages, just as the region was recovering from the last cold snap, state press said Monday. The latest cold weather has taken a severe toll in mountainous Yunnan province, where heavy snowfalls since Thursday have caused huge problems, the China Daily said. Eighty percent of the two million residents in Qujing city remain without electricity due to the combined impacts of the most recent cold snap and the ferocious weather that first hit southern China in early January. The snowfalls over the...

SIERRA VISTA — A winter storm lingered over Cochise County on Friday, bringing flurries of snow and splashes of rain. The cool weather, however, brought little measurable precipitation through 9:30 p.m. on Friday. And there were few reported problems due to the weather. At the Libby Army Airfield on Fort Huachuca, a National Weather Service monitoring station had measured just 0.11 of an inch of precipitation for the 12-hour period starting at about 6 a.m. At the Sierra Vista fire station on Fry Boulevard, only a trace of rain was recorded in the 24-hour period ending at 6 p.m. on...

These are the words of MSG Timothy Soliz Iraq - In the wee early hours of Jan. 11, the generator powering our containerized housing units, or CHUs, quit working. It didn’t come back on for six hours, and we hit an overnight low of 25 degrees. I woke up freezing in the middle of the night and found myself buried in the abyss of a cold, black metal CHU. I stumbled out of bed and stubbed my right big toe. After screaming a very short prayer…ahem, I think you know what I mean… I managed to find some warmer clothes,...

Snow damage 18.6 million ha of Chinese forest Source:www.chinanews.cn BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The extreme weather that hit China in recent weeks has damaged 18.6 million hectares of forest in 19 snow-afflicted provincial regions, the State Forestry Administration announced here Wednesday. The total included 6.83 million ha of bamboo, 11.62 million ha of woods and 15,333 ha of saplings, according to the administration. The 19 provincial-level areas plagued by snow and cold weather were Hunan, Hubei, Anhui, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Yunnan,Sichuan, Chongqing, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Gansu, Xinjiang, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Fujian, Guangdong and Hainan. The administration has earmarked 4.3 million...

Last night’s snowfall sent Madison’s winter total plowing into the record books, breaking the all-time snowfall record of 76.1 inches in 1978-79. “Anytime you set records, it is sort of a momentous occasion, but it doesn’t mean anything more than we’ll be out just like any other storm,” said Madison streets superintendent Al Schumacher. Jon Martin, University of Wisconsin chair of the atmospheric and ocean sciences department said there is a lot of variability from one winter to another, and it is difficult to put a finger on why this winter has been so snowy. “This is a very abnormal...

Chicago Running Out of Money for Snow RemovalLast Edited: Thursday, 07 Feb 2008, 10:48 PM CST Unlike many suburbs, Chicago still has 200,000 tons of salt to drop on snow and ice-covered streets. But, there’s a problem. City Hall is running out of money. From Jan. 1 to Feb. 4, the city’s Department of Streets and Sanitation had spent $14.1 million of an $18.5 million snow removal budget that’s supposed to last all year. The spending includes $4 million for labor and overtime; $3 million for fuel and vehicle maintenance and $7 million for salt. When the cost of this...