I worked in Anacostia back in the early 90’s and hated DC drivers when it snowed. Once I snuck through Rock Creek Park (no traffic and fresh snow) instead of braving the Beltway.
I thought I’d seen every dumb thing you could do in a car in snow in DC. Not even close. Albuquerque is much worse. Now I live in the mountains and anything under a foot is no big deal.
Understand about PA, lived near Erie in the late 70’s.
Thanks for starting this thread.
Ryan Hall Y’all says he’s streaming live throughout the storm, now streaming live for “pre-storm” predictions, if anyone interested:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NaRVBLj7KPI
I’m enjoying the weather on the coast of California. That’s when I’m doing be prepared. Enjoying cocktails on a deck and watching the ocean..
I’m enjoying the weather on the coast of California. That’s when I’m doing be prepared. Enjoying cocktails on a deck and watching the ocean..
I recall a huge blizzard few years ago in the DC metro area. We were lucky that there was a farm protest on the mall and many tractors were parked there. The tractor owners volunteered to drive across the metro area delivering firefighters, medical professionals, and others to their work places. I recall as a young boy seeing a large tractor picking up a neighbor for such purpose. Carter was president then.
How’s about a good ole Texas ice storm?
In Houston I stayed home out of self-defense. I would not put one wheel on the road down there with those folks on ice or snow. It was plain nuts!!!
Welcome to winter... It only happens every year. Snow, cold, etc., etc.
Spring is on the way and then summer... When it gets hot again, and then it will be fall or as some people call it... Autumn. The four seasons have always come and gone and always will. Despite the huffing, puffing and hyperventilation of Al Gore and his minions.
It is time to resurrect The Coming Ice Age!
I have pictures of snow on the ground in the San Francisco Bay Area, circa 1977.
I also love to share this video:
The Laurentide Ice Sheet.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wbsURVgoRD0
If this Ice Sheet had a voice, it would be saying: “I’ll Be Back! When it returns, it reaches deep into the continental United States.
Temps will fall below zero in over a dozen states.
Wind chills of -50f in much of the upper plains and mid west. Milwaukee!
Meanwhile where I am is boring. 40F in the mornings with fog, 60F and sunny in the afternoons.
Day after day.
My area of MA might get two feet of snow. Which is a lot, but at least it’s not going to be ice here. I’ve been through a bad ice storm — those are bad news. Two feet of snow is an inconvenience, and maybe we will lose power for a bit. But it’s not the end of the world. I refuse to panic.
N. GA.
Came back from the Gulf of America Tuesday, stopped for milk, eggs, a couple meal items. Good to go with that and what was already in the pantry, refrigerators and freezer. Have generator with ~200 gallons of propane. Less than I’d like, but it is what it is. Not going anywhere until it melts, assuming we get something.
Show Me state, MO. East Central. NWS started at 3” then close to 6” now close to 8”. Stocked up on firewood for the wood stove.
Put probably 600 lbs in the bed of the 2wd truck today. Tires are not bald but not great so we’ll see how she goes. I work Fri - Mon which is when it will hit here. Got some PTO and will probably take some, if nothing else, just so I can head to work when it’s light out instead of 4:30 am.
Ordering new tires from ebay first thing in the morning but that won’t help for this storm.
8” is a lot for here and hopefully it won’t be wet snow that takes down trees that fall on power lines. I’m very rural up against the National Forest so that happens here.
No biggie. I grew up in MA and was 13 during the blizzard of ‘78 when we got three feet in a couple of days.
Where the hell is our Global Warming?
BEFORE THE STORM (24–48 HOURS AHEAD)
❄️1. Charge all phones, power banks, tablets, and rechargeable lanterns.
❄️2. Fill vehicle gas tanks in case stations lose power.
❄️3. Get cash in small bills in case card systems go down.
❄️4. Pick up prescriptions and essential medications early.
❄️5. Download movies, books, and maps for offline use.
❄️6. Identify one warm room in the house to “camp out” if power fails.
❄️7. Locate water shut-off valve and breaker box now, not later.
❄️8. Set fridge and freezer to colder settings to hold temperature longer.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
WATER AND PIPE PROTECTION
❄️9. Drip faucets on exterior walls when temps drop below freezing.
❄️10. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air circulation.
❄️11. Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor spigots.
❄️12. Cover outdoor faucets with insulated caps or towels.
❄️13. Know how to shut off water quickly if a pipe bursts.
❄️14. Fill jugs, buckets, or bathtub with water for flushing and washing.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
FOOD AND KITCHEN PREP
❄️15. Keep 3–5 days of no-cook food: peanut butter, tuna, bread, crackers, canned meat, fruit cups.
❄️16. Have manual can opener available.
❄️17. Buy shelf-stable milk or powdered milk if needed.
❄️18. Freeze a few water bottles to act as freezer “ice packs.”
❄️19. Keep a cooler ready to move fridge food outside if power is out and temps are below freezing.
❄️20. Avoid stocking large amounts of perishables right before the storm.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
HEAT AND HOME SAFETY
❄️21. Gather extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm layers.
❄️22. If using a fireplace, confirm chimney is clear and have dry wood.
❄️23. Never run generators or grills inside garages or homes.
❄️24. Test smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors.
❄️25. Have at least one flashlight per person plus spare batteries.
❄️26. Use battery lanterns instead of candles when possible.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
VEHICLE AND TRAVEL
❄️27. Plan to avoid driving once freezing rain begins.
❄️28. Bridges, overpasses, and shaded roads freeze first.
❄️29. Keep in the car: blanket, water, snacks, phone charger, gloves.
❄️30. Replace old wiper blades and top off washer fluid.
❄️31. Park away from large tree limbs when possible.
❄️32. Assume flights and travel may be disrupted for days.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
POWER OUTAGE PLAN
❄️33. Unplug sensitive electronics to avoid surge damage.
❄️34. Keep one battery radio or weather app for updates.
❄️35. Use surge protectors for TVs and computers.
❄️36. Know where warming centers may be in your parish.
❄️37. Have extension cords ready if using a generator outside.
❄️38. Keep refrigerator closed to preserve cold air.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
PETS AND LIVESTOCK
❄️39. Bring pets indoors with extra food and water.
❄️40. Provide outdoor animals with unfrozen water sources.
❄️41. Add straw or blankets to outdoor shelters.
❄️42. Keep leashes and carriers accessible in case of evacuation.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
MEDICAL AND SPECIAL NEEDS
❄️43. Keep a written list of medications and dosages.
❄️44. Store a small first-aid kit with thermometer and basic meds.
❄️45. Have backup batteries for medical devices.
❄️46. Identify a place with power you could relocate to if needed.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
PROPERTY PROTECTION
❄️47. Move vehicles away from trees or power lines.
❄️48. Secure outdoor furniture and lightweight items.
❄️49. Avoid trimming trees during the storm—do it beforehand.
❄️50. Photograph property for insurance before conditions worsen.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
DURING THE STORM
❄️51. Do not drive unless absolutely necessary.
❄️52. Assume downed lines are live and dangerous.
❄️53. Use only safe indoor heating methods.
❄️54. Check on neighbors, especially elderly, by phone if possible.
❄️55. Report outages to utility companies rather than 911 unless it’s an emergency.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
AFTER THE STORM
❄️56. Walk carefully—ice may refreeze overnight.
❄️57. Check pipes for leaks as temperatures rise.
❄️58. Throw out refrigerated food if above 40°F for more than 4 hours.
❄️59. Avoid DIY electrical repairs around downed lines.
❄️60. Be patient—restoring power after ice can take several days.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
KEY REALITY FOR SOUTHERN ICE EVENTS
❄️A quarter inch of ice can bring scattered outages.
❄️Half an inch can cripple travel and power for days.
❄️Ice is more dangerous than snow for the Deep South
(I’m not sure the original author of this or I would tag/ give credit!)
I am north east of Atlanta.
Forecasts call for freezing rain Saturday night through Sunday.
Forecast are subject to change.
Whatever happens, we are prepared for it.
That is what every one should think about in advance.
Probably to late for many to think about it now.
This is the first of a quite a number of days when I haven’t felt cold here in Florida.
Funny thing, it snowed here in Panama City, FLA a year ago but today it was 74 degrees.
I was up in upstate NY this morning. Big snow drifts and gale force winds generating whiteout conditions.
We are making we are well stocked foodwise for the next several days.