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!
I just measured I have 8 inches down here.
I am kinda partial to Honda power products myself, having a 20 plus year old lawnmower,10 year old snowblower and 7 year old generator that have NEVER failed to start on the first pull. As for the size of the generator, you'll need to inventory the power requirements of the essential circuits you want it to support.
But it continues to come down here in Allendale NJ. My wife called from the supermarket 5 miles away a few hours ago, and I begged her to get some wine before she came home, thinking it would be easier to get through this with some fortification. She came back with 12 bottles. Good woman.
Upland, California Local Weather
Current Conditions
Reported at Ontario International Airport, CA
Updated 12:53 PM PST SAT JAN 22 2005
Clear
73°F
23°C Humidity: 38%
Wind: Calm
Barometer: 30.03 in.
Dewpoint: 46°F
Visibility: 9 Mile(s)
You are very mean.
Excellent, an upper classman. What was your major?
I was electronics. Can you believe that GIRLS go to tech now? Oh the Hugh Manatees!
Generators are like cars. Many models and prices. We bought ours after Hurricane Gloria from northern hydraulics but now there are tons of choices. Decide what you want to run and get one big enough. We have a well so we lose water when we lose electricity so we wanted to get one big enough to run the water pump as well as everything else. I use an inverter to run my laptop. Nice and steady.
It is so warm in Louisiana I had to put on the AC.
Chemlsford... Thought you were a neigbor. Right down 27 to Acton and hang a right on Mass Ave (aka Rt 111).
Stay warm!
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I put up with illegal aliens, a RAT legislature that has almost spent us into bankruptcy, and earthquakes. There has to be some benefit to living in this too blue state.
No air conditioning here yet, but maybe later in the week. :)
Honda.
I must now go to the inevitable. I can't put off shoveling the snow otherwise I'll bet shoveling eighteen inches *lol*
In fact, when it was first starting, the pavement was so cold that the snowflakes would shatter into pieces upon hitting it. Normally when a snowstorm starts, the first flakes melt when they hit pavement and it doesn't start sticking (on pavement) until after it's been snowing hard for a while. But not this storm. I think we are going to preserve every flake.
During my walk, it went from a very light snow to a steadily falling snow. During the last leg of my walk, all I heard was the "scrunching" sound of my boots on the pavement. No cars are out there and everybody looks to be indoors except for me, the neighborhood nut case. It looks like we picked up a half inch within the last 45 minutes easy. Of course, this snow is in its very initial stage. The heaviest portion is due to move in around 9PM tonight.
I will have reports throughout the night. The blizzard is now underway here in northern Massachusetts!
We went out this morning, not before the snowfall started. Very slippery in the car, but not too bad underfoot. It is 5 pm here in Jersey now, and it hasn't stopped a bit all day.
But you are right, it is a great day for it. We've got nowhere to go and nothing to do. Just a good weekend to hang out here on the threads and enjoy the weather.
It's now about 10 degrees and snowing hard,here in SW Conn.;been snowing for hours and we have about 5 or 6 inches so far!
Just have John and Ted blow some hot air across Taxachusetts. I have my sleddog Hillary right outside. Lord knows my senator is good for something.
Good luck shoveling your "partly-cloudy". LOL :D
This is why I should be married so I don't have to do this hehehe.
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