NORTHEAST BLIZZARD - Live Thread - January 22-23 2005

[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!

[ProudVet77]

Just having fun. Haven't had enough coffee to say much else.

[nopardons]

oh,okay.

Just for fun,how many inches to a foot? :-)

[x]

[ProudVet77]

hmmm.....sipping hot black coffee.....
thinking it's a trick question.....
I'll go with 12 but I reserve the right to change the radix of the number I gave you.
Think the snow is getting to me. The heart of the storm is about 100 miles due south of me now, near Martha's Vineyard. It's in the killer position. It's sweeping air and snow in from over the ocean, so we're getting max snowfall rate now. If the storm were to stall where it is the depth of the snow would be truly spectacular. Has happen twice since I've lived here.

[sissyjane]

Just logged on, and I havent read this thread....but I will symphathise with all of you on the "right" coast.
My husband and I moved to the Sierra Nevada mountains a little less then a month ago ; right before a two week snow, rain and ice storm that took two weeks.
We didn't have a clue--plus no television,no computer, and a sh*t load of boxes, etc.
God bless all of you, and good luck to those of you who have never lived in snow!

[ProudVet77]

We'll get through no problem. This storm could not come at a better time, a saturday night with the playoffs the next day on TV. Not many guys are going to even get off the couch today much less drive anywhere. You understand now what real snow is.
When I used to live in NM I recall Taos as having over a 100 inch base in May!!! We also published pictures from Wyoming one year where they had like 20+ feet of snow. The snow "plow" was actually a gigantic snow blower that threw the snow over the steep banks on the side of the road. They were almost verticle and twice the height of this huge truck.

[nopardons]

Not a trick question at all and you are correct...12 inches equals one foot.

It's still coming down,without any letup,here in Conn.,but U don't know if we'll get the promised 30".At least I hope we don't.

Good luck...up your way.

[ProudVet77]

I'm hoping this stuff just stops and goes away. I had cabin fever starting around Thanksgiving.
Depends on where you'd be in CT if you get 30inches. Down towards Mystic is probably going to get pounded. The real issue is how fast the storm moves out. One unreported facet of this storm is that the wind is supposed to be very strong through Monday, so as fast as they plow it, it will blow right back.

[ProudVet77]

Guess I have the early watch. :)
Just heard a report that Falmouth on the cape has 22 inches already. They heard on the scanner that they report 7inches in 1 hour. (Just reporting what I heard, I actually find that hard to believe.)
Pretty cool incident just happened, on channel 7 Boston, a lone car pulled up to the talking head and asked directions to the local hospital and the talking head actually responded well, and didn't try to interview the poor guy.

[Unknown Freeper]

Morning, everyone. Still under blizzard warning here in central NJ. Still snowing at 5:45 am. Weather guys predicting another three to five inches today and one to two feet overall. NJ still under state of emergency. It's a quiet, peaceful and beautiful view outside the window.

Hope everyone is warm, safe and ready for football.

[Mo1]

Checking in from the burbs outside of Philly

We rec'd about 12 inches of snow and it started snowing again .. the weather dude is calling for another 1-3 inches .. and it's bleeping cold outside

The winds have picked up .. which means I have to shovel this crap all over again today .. oh fun fun joy joy

It's days like this I think about moving south

The weather dude is also saying the temps for the Eagles game will be 19 degrees with a wind chill of -5

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

I just went to my kitchen window, and was greeted by a sea of white.

Ugh.

Best get out my Columbia boots.

:)

-good times, G.J.P.(Jr.)

[capecodderathome]

Weather east of Hyannis on CC is wild. Just listened to a fire engine and snow plow both stuck.
Wind now gusting to 50mph. 20+ inches of snow. The lights are flickering. I hope we don't loose power, although I expect to with this wind. I just heard that Marion, MA had a gust to 80mph.
For wx buffs, my barometer is 29.19 and still falling!

[Mo1]

MA had a gust to 80mph

WOW!! .. stay safe

[Elle Bee]

Bubba & the Hilldabeast are here in Key West, the fair-weather ones feel your pain

Former President Bill Clinton greets fans outside Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville on Saturday morning while walking Duval Street.

.

[ProudVet77]

Right now we're getting pretty steady wind at almost 20MPH, with gusts in the low 30s, and we're 30 miles inland and in the lee of a hill in the direction the wind is blowing from. Been in this location for 11+ years now and have never seen it blow this bad. Fortunately I'm in a place that under these conditions does not get buried.

[capecodderathome]

Getting wilder by the minute.
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/box/maps/sfc1.html

[ProudVet77]

Great pic. You have to be a sailor. Is that a double low I see there? We just got into a band of snow and it's dumping on us.
FWIW the lights have blinked here three times so far. In case you don't hear from me for a while, we lose power a lot here. Plenty of vittles, candles, and a propane camp stove. Now if I can just think of a way of keeping the beer cold.
The saddest thing is my little cat who likes to do her business outside is going nuts. She will use the litter box, but really wants to go out. She's been out once already and was surprised how deep it was. :)

[Nachoman]

Now if I can just think of a way of keeping the beer cold

Wouldn't that be one of the easiest things to do?

[Mo1]

Not sure what time the Eagles Game starts today ... but they (on the News) still are trying to clear the parking lot at the stadium

But they are promising they will be ready for the game