Posted on 01/31/2011 8:40:09 PM PST by metmom
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- A monster winter storm took aim at a third of the nation Monday, threatening to lay a potentially deadly path of heavy snow and ice from the Rockies to New England, followed by a wave of bitter, bone-rattling cold that could affect tens of millions of people.
Cities including St. Louis, Kansas City and Milwaukee could be hardest hit, with expected midweek snowfalls of up to 2 feet and drifts piled 5 to 10 feet. Even hardy Chicago could be in for its third-worst blizzard since record-keeping began.
"I wouldn't want to be on the road in open areas tomorrow night," said forecaster Tom Skilling of Chicago television station WGN. "I don't think I'd want to be driving in the city either. The fact is people die in these things. They skid off the road and go wandering around in whiteout conditions."
Warmer areas were not safe, either. The system could spawn tornadoes in parts of the South.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
The NWS links are struggling to load today. They must really be experiencing a lot of traffic. Never seen that before.
Temperatures today in Southern California are going to be a little chilly, about 67 degrees, but sunny, clear and unlimited visibility with a mild Pacific breeze.
On a farm near Columbia, MO. Visibility is about 50 yards and we have about 8 inches of snow on top of the old 4 of snow and 1/2 of ice. My driveway is 3/8 of a mile long and we are expecting 4 foot drifts. I have a heavy 8 foot blade on the back of my JD 6605, 4WD. The wood stove in the basement if going full force and we will keep warm and cook on it if need be. A country boy can survive. These storms add a bit of excitement to life.
Hey, grow a thicker hide...When CA has an earthquake, ya got people here wishing for death and destruction and the worse...
Deal with it.
It’s still snowing heavily here. We’ve had at least 7 inches. Mr. T’s work ordered pizzas in for everyone for lunch.
Wow! Lake effect snow?
Lots of roofs (mostly big buildings with flat roofs, like car dealerships) collapsing all over CT due to the weight of just the snow so far, however the ice will make things even worse - I expect there will be more building, car and/or tree damage.
Snow banks along streets and parking lots are over 10 feet in some areas, making driving conditions really hazardous (you can't see oncoming traffic). We are becoming 'tunnel people'.
This is one of the worst winters we've seen here in years, maybe decades. It's like a Quebec, Canada winter. Enough already! :-(
I fell yesterday. You might consider taking 2 or 3 advil to minimize the inflammatory response—at least you will feel better. I know the pain, but hey, we are still making carbon dioxide and urine.
I don’t think so we only get lake effect when the lakes are still open and the wind blow in the right direction.
I’m pretty sure the lakes are fozen over now.
The snow we are going to get is a general snow fall from the west.
Winter Haven, FL here.
Air conditioner is set for 77...it just kicked on.
Launder, rinse, repeat.
I would expect the Great Lakes area to get it again after the next storm pulls off the coast.
The lakes provide a source of relatively warm moist air and when the cold air from Canada passes over them, it picks up the moisture and dumps it on us who are on the leeward side of the lakes.
It's essentially a giant, natural snow making machine.
The time we usually get it when associated with storms is when the low pressure system is right off the New England coast. As the winds circulate around the low, they come from the NW when the storm is in that location and bring the winds right over the lakes.
The warmer the lakes and the colder the air, the more snow. Lake effect can produce snowfall rates of a dusting to 5 inches/hour for several hours at a time.
I hear you. This winter has been brutal, and it’s just February 1st.
Deal with it.
Give me a break... that is defintely not me. I offer prayers for our FRiends who are struck by disasters like earthquakes, floods, fires, hurricanes, tornados, etc. We have a lot of family members in CA... my husband grew up there. My stepson lost his favorite teacher in that fire that swept through the Oakland hills years ago.
There was one winter a few years ago that where we lived saw 11 FEET in one month alone.
And yes, it was tunnels and 10 foot snow piles everywhere, along with collapsed roofs.
The funniest one I heard of when one town in the area had their DPW garage roof collapse because of snow load.
You’d think if anyone would know better it would be them in a lake effect snow area, but nooooooo....
And considering the community, it’s hardly a surprise.
Wow. I’m not sure how much we’re going to get here, because the forecasts have been so wildly variable. It’s been snowing heavily since 7-7:30 this morning, though, and we’re still in the thick of it.
Yep. And I think there's another "snow event" in the pipeline for us on Saturday.
If it weren't for work and family obligations (mostly the family obligations), we'd be outta here, and in a warmer climate. Preferably in a Red State. ;-)
Wow!
You're not alone.
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