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!
LOL! Are you wrapped in fleece clothing like we are? (No PJs but LLBean or equivalent fleece...)
I've always had a pantry,so except for almost running out of milk in the '79 one,I'm always okay;supply wise. :-)
Muchas gracias
We lose our water along with electricity also - we have well water. A plumber has to 'kick start a pump that provides water for 45 homes'...? I don't get it. Why is that? Fortunately for us, when power is restored here, so is our water.
Reporting from Boston College:
Snowing like a B!TCH. Winds not bad yet, but the snow is starting to get bigger and fluffier as opposed to the fine, powdery snow. No whiteout yet but it is definitely getting closer. We're still looking for 2'+ up here.
In Western New York, it started ~11:30 Am. It didn't stop for 2-3 days. I never saw snow as high as the tops of utility poles before that storm.
Right now between Buffalo and Rochester, about 3/4 mile from Lake Ontario, we have high winds (~40-50 mph) coming out of the North. Drifts across the driveway ~5' high. Very cold - around 2-4.
I'm hoping you are all home safe and sound... :-)
Been snowing since about noon or so,in SW Conn.,we've got about 8 inches (I'm guessing),the wind is whipping up some now,and it's about 12 degrees. I don't know what the wind chill factor is and am NOT going out,so it doesn't matter.
Oh my they're all related. My 20 year old 'grown up' lost his wallet on his way back to school after the Christmas break. Today he sends an e-mail saying he left his cell phone on his desk and when he went back to get it (15 seconds later, ahem) it was gone. Told my 'grown up' son to either begin to pin things to his clothing as I used to do with mittens or carry a purse. Don't think I'll be hearing back for a few days, LOL.
If your vehicle is considered non essential, you best stay home. Snow won't end until early afternoon, if we're to believe the forecasters.
I hope all that snow you get doesn't stop the game tommorrow! Can't wait to see the Steelers get spanked by Mr. Brady and company!
He's working on a system where he can kick start it from his telephone. I expect that to happen around the same time the Clintons are behind bars.
Meanwhile it is still 10 degrees here in Chelmsford, a NH border town about 30 miles NW of Boston and the snow is really coming down now. Picked up nearly two inches in the past hour.
About 1960 the Hudson River froze over and it snowed 24 inches overnight. Everybody stayed home. Why does everybody have to attempt to carry on as if it is summer these days?
About 12 inches so far here in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Still snowing at 9:10 pm Sat night.
It was sunny & warm here in California. I was wearing shorts & a tank top. hehehee
Maybe the Eagles can build snowmen to contain Michael Vick ;-)
Chick, how are you doing in NYC?
very close to the freezing mark here on the south shore of long island right now, eastern long island getting hit hard. cape cod is going to get blasted. weather channel reporter in chatham right now, 30 inches being predicted with hurricane force gusts.
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