Posted on 12/18/2009 5:59:52 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
A major storm was expected to bury the Washington region Saturday with what forecasters said could be the largest snowfall to hit the area in six years and the greatest December accumulation in more than 70 years.
Accumulations of 15 inches or more in the city and up to 24 inches in parts of the Blue Ridge Mountains were possible, according to the National Weather Service. The snow was expected to cause significant disruptions for shoppers, travelers and revelers on the last weekend -- and biggest shopping day -- before Christmas.
Especially large amounts of snow could accumulate southeast of the Interstate 95 corridor, where "paralyzing" near-blizzard conditions could occur, said AccuWeather.com chief meteorologist Joe Bastardi.
Snow was expected to start falling early Saturday and to increase in intensity all day, as bands of precipitation, fed by moisture from the Atlantic Ocean and driven by a cold northeast wind, sweep over the area.
Temperatures will remain in the 20s and low 30s, aggravated by gusty winds of 20 to 25 mph, the Weather Service said. The snow was not expected to taper off until Sunday morning.
Severe highway, rail and air travel disruptions were anticipated. Some airlines were canceling flights Friday, and authorities urged people to stay off the roads. Southwest Airlines said it was allowing customers using six East Coast airports to rebook tickets without penalties.
A state of emergency was declared in Virginia, where the National Guard was on alert to help with emergency transportation. In the District, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) declared a snow emergency, effective at 7 a.m. Saturday. All vehicles must be removed from the city's snow routes or they will be ticketed and towed.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Born and raised in Buffalo New York...we know how to drive in snow.
Biggest blizzard I’ve been in was when we moved to Chicago around ‘67. We got 3 feet in one fall. Where there were drifts it was close to 5 feet. We dug tunnels and made an igloo/fort kind of thing. Then it warmed up and froze again making an ice crust on top you could walk on...I was only seven then and didn’t weigh much. Memory I’ll ever forget.
BTW that pic was an hour+ ago and at 14”, since then we got another inch at least. That’s about the rate, an inch an hour.
That’s a pretty hilly drive, you got some ballz! I’m surprised they were even open.
Clint Jr took my Suburban to spend the night last night so we’re home bound. But we went shopping yesterday and stocked up for a month. Let it snow, let it snow, let it SNOW!
Cowboys and Saints tonight.
I heard the Ravens may move their move their game time tomorrow.
I’ll bet it’s a BEAUTIFUL guilt!!!! Take a pic sometime & post it please??
I’m glad you did that... I have a bunch of old ones my sister has bought me... Sure wish they could talk..
Further proof that God has a sense of humor.
WHOA,Thunder snow in Swedesboro Pa with lighting strikes.Husband just made a fire.:)
Wow!!!
Guess you’re eating in tonight?
;)
Never heard of that before.
Are you series?
Had to shovel a path just to take out the garbage.
I doubt anything is open anyway.
Take care of you & yours....
ALL of you living in the midst of this.
Making fun of Gore and the Kenyan are one thing....but I do NOT want any of you hurt...
It looks like the weatherperson was wrong again. It's creeping more into PA than they thought.
Won't even attempt to get out of my 120 foot driveway until they plow the roads tomorrow.
The snow is beautiful. Life is good.
Thank you for this creed.
Sending it to my son who stands watch on a Naval destroyer.
Thunder snow????
We here in lake effect land know exactly what that is, complete with lightening even.
You hear the thunder and look outside and you can’t see 10 feet in front of you.
Clint your pic is amazing as to the depth of the snow. I just took a look at doppler and it looks like the heavy stuff ain’t anywhere near over in all your necks of the woods.
Meanwhile, just about an inch here, and it hasn’t snowed in an hour or so......
Life is good?
Life is always good, my brother!!
Life is better though if Donovan McNabb throws 5 TD’s tomorrow!!!
Or throws for a couple and runs 1 in, same thing!!!
We had "thundersnow" here in Georgia 3-4 years ago when a big front moved through. It was pretty surprising.
Bad ice storm here in '73, a real heavy snowfall (not ice) in '82, and a genuine blizzard in '93. Some small ice storms in between, enough to break some branches and put the power out for a day or so, but nothing spectacular.
It seems like we have had more snow and less ice lately. I remember some very bad ice storms in the late 50s and early 60s, when I was a kid. And you're right, the transformers exploding look like fireworks on the horizon. Also, if you live in a pine grove, the breaking branches sound like heavy machine gun fire.
We have never, EVER, gotten that much snow here! Snowjam '82 was 6 or 8 inches depending on where you were. '93 blizzard was not that much snow but it snowed sideways for an entire day.
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