Posted on 01/22/2005 4:04:20 AM PST by SamAdams76
Well all the stops have officially been pulled out by the weather prognosticators. They are on a "war footing." The Northeast is getting a true BLIZZARD this weekend. Not a "nor'easter". Not just your basic snowstorm dumping 6-10 inches in Boston and New York with a mix and changeover to rain along the coast. No! We are talking 20-30 inches of windblown powdery snow in many locations with no chance of a mix with or change to rain whatsoever.
The temperatures are currently running zero or below zero across most of the Northeast this morning so the cold air is in place and fully entrenched. With the high winds expected with this storm, This will be a true BLIZZARD.
So as I sit in the epicenter of it all (my area is expecting over two feet of snow), I thought I'd start this thead so that Freepers can give us reports of how conditions are in there area. And you don't have to be in the Northeast to participate as this storm is currently affecting Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia as it heads to the East Coast where it is expected to undergo what the weather nuts call "bombogenesis" and literally explode into a superstorm as energy is transferred over the comparatively milder Atlantic Ocean.
So there you have it. Even in areas where plenty of snow falls this time of year, you have people running to the supermarket early this morning to "stock up", as if somehow a few feet of snow is going to stop all commerce and transportation for the forseeable future (the reality is that we should be all shoveled and plowed out by Monday morning no matter how bad things get).
The local TV stations around here have gone absolutely bonkers, as they are wont to do. It's even more extreme this year because TV "broadcast" stations are struggling to maintain their relevancy in a high world of internet, satellite radio and many other distractions that consumers have these days.
Weekday "anchors" are being rolled out of bed early this Saturday morning as they throw on their hairpieces and head to the studios for all-day "wall-to-wall" coverage of this blizzard. Seasoned reporters are being sent to Home Depots where people are already nervously buying shovels (even though they likely have 7 or 8 shovels in their garage already) and supermarkets where silly old ladies are buying gallons of milk (that they normally never drink) and loaves of bread (that they will never eat and end up throwing to the birds). Other reporters will be sent into the streets to do interviews with snow-plow drivers and "public safety" officials. More junior reporters are being sent to the sides of highways for liveshots where absolutely nothing is going on presently. But they will stand there nevertheless, filming the traffic going by and commenting on "how dangerous" this highway will be in just a few more hours. Then when the storm hits, these same reporters will retreat to rest areas where they will continue their liveshots as their cameramen instruct them to "sway in the wind" and "hold on to their hats" to help convince the viewers at home that the storm is severe indeed.
Yes, it's going to be a fun weekend in New England and the Northeast in general. But the beauty of this is that is is on a weekend. If we are going to get a true blizzard, the timing just couldn't be much better. We are able to get our normal errands done on Saturday morning and then in the afternoon, we can retreat to our homes and stoke up the fireplace as the snow moves in. Then tomorrow (Sunday), we can sleep late and take our time shoveling out. Then we have a perfect excuse to sit around the warm house all afternoon watching football as THREE out of the four teams still playing are all in the snow-bound Northeast. The ratings ought to be phenomenal, provided the power doesn't go out.
So post conditions in your area here.
Outside my home (approx 30 miles northwest of Boston near the NH border), it is -11 degrees! It is daybreak and the skies are mostly clear with some high clouds. It is COLD out there, almost too cold for snow. But it's coming, at least that's what they tell me!
My son , however, lives in downtown Boston...but...at least he's on the 25th floor.
Wow, -11 degrees. The best to you, SamAdams, and all you Freepers stay warm up there!
Although I was not there in the "Blizzard of 78" , the mother of all Blizzards, I did get to participate in all the Blizzards from 1984 to 2003 that befell the state of Massachusetts. I have since been spared from your torment, as I know live in Georgia, where it is currently 48 degrees and expected to get up to 69 degrees today.
On your run to the Grocery store, do not forget the bathroom tissue.
No snow yet in San Diego, but I'll keep you posted.
Heading out to the store in a few for my usual Sat morning grocery haul.
We have been lucky enough so far this winter with minimal *S* storms.
I knew it wouldn't last forever.
"Aaaugh! Blizzard Warning! The world is ending! Aaugh!"
"Oh. And watch ABC 7 all day so we can freak out for you!"
It's starting to snow pretty good here in Pittsburgh. It started snowing around 5 am and then took a little break and now it is coming down good now.
In Cleveland it's 18 degrees right now with between 6-10 inches of snow expected. However....this weekend Mrs. IndyTiger and I are enjoying the sunshine in Ft. Myers, Florida! Sunny and 76 degrees expected for today!
But we're going back home in a few days...
Snow blower is ready and a load of wood will be here shortly. Let it snow, let it snow!
MoodyBlu
That's bout the size of it M.
I suspect once it really starts that's all we'll be able to find on the local channels here.
It's not like a snowstorm is a rare occurance on the east coast.
This will last for today and part of tomorrow, we'll get plowed out and life goes on, back to work, same as always on monday.
We're all gonna die...!!!
"It's a complete whiteout....we're ALL GONNA DIE!"
Her 20 year old poodle died last year so at least I don't have to worry about her going out to walk the dog in the snow.(She's a tough old bird-retired Navy.)
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