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 ...
Scary stuff,they just said we have the threat of that for the next 3 hours.Once you hear it snow comes down 3 inches an hour.Just used our George Forman grill someone bought us 4 years ago.Yes we are that far behind.Have a fire going,our little parrot is liking the fire and falling asleep.((((((Hugs)))))))
Not shabby for Bethesda. Lived in the metro area until ‘92, so I know what happens when the white stuff comes down.
Check out my last pic, and it’s forecast to continue until 6am.
Good thing that you've got a nice fire - stay warm, stay safe!
Wow! you may have to blow off the roof when it stops!
Pretty impressive. I ought to call my Mom, she lives in Easton across the Bay.
Holy frozen precip, Batman!
That’s a lot of global warming you have to shovel.
Been shoveling the walks all day, drive way will have to wait till Clint Jr gets home from what looks like and extended sleepover.
If it keeps up until 6am like the forecast says we could get close to 30”.
21” and counting here in WV.
GEEZ!!! It doesn’t want to stop. Then there’s the video of Stupid getting off of AF1 at Andrews this morning in a blizzard, LOL!!!
3 FB notes....
The Div. III Football Championship is being played in Salem, VA where 16” of snow had to be cleared from the field, pushing the games starttime from 11AM till 4PM. The game, between Wisconsin Whitewater and Mount Union(Alliance, OH)was in the 4th Quarter tied at 28, last time I heard.
The games tomorrow between Chicago and Baltimore and San Francisco have been moved from 1 till 4:15 to account for the global warming. And it is no certainty that the game in Baltimore is even played at that time. The Bears are still in Chicago, not being able to fly out last night. They are going to try to leave at 9:45CT tonight and see what happens...
Late update, White Water beat Mount 35-28....
FB note #3.....if the NFL fines Chad Ochocinco for wearing Chris Henry’s jersey tomorrow in tribute, they ought to be ashamed of themselves, whether or not the NFL Players Association will pay the fine or not.....
If it’s supposed to keep snowing till 6AM and the Bears are still in Chicago, I have absolutely no idea how they play at all tomorrow.
And the snow just started in NYC a little while ago. I don’t think we’re done with game times being changed tomorrow.......
Quite Welcome,,,
My house-mate’s son is back in Iraq with the 10th.Mtn.Div.
on his third tour,,,
Prayers Up for the Troops...
Wow = that is a table full of snow! Where are you again?
Nice to have a warm place to be inside with all that coming down!
You’re right about the sound of pine trees in ice storms - they bend over and then they - POP - break.
Here’s hoping we get through this winter without that sound!
When I was growing up, my parents’ house was located on an old farm that had grown up in longleaf pine. When we had a bad ice storm it sounded like a running gun battle outside. We all stayed near the big fireplace in sleeping bags, even though dad ran the generator to the blower for the gas furnace. In retrospect, my dad probably figured that the massive brick chimney (this was an old fashioned open fireplace that easily took 6’ logs, with chimney to match) and the beams around it would keep even a large tree from squashing us all flat . . . .
Wow.
Good thinking by your dad! And good memories!
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