Let's complain about the weather

[ncjohn]

I know we've had other weather discussions here but I figured I'd make this one more general.

After getting blitzed last week and being out of power for about a day, we got hit with  snow again this afternoon that is coming down at a pretty good clip. It was predicted as a "wintry mix" that was to be more sleet and rain than anything else. Personally I'm happier with the snow, though it could still turn to sleet during the night.

Either way, we may be in general kept off the streets again tomorrow if it doesn't turn to rain at some point and melt this off as it is supposed to. If it stays snow most of our people won't be able to make it in to work and I may have to take one of the 4 wheel drive vehicles and head out to the local ski slope.

John
 

[jsiegman]

other than being cld, January was rather nice to us. Never mind that nearly all of it was 10-15 degrees below average on the average. And yes, the rumors of panic in the streets during the few hours of sunshine were greatly exaggerated. Overall, January wasn't really that bad - it was only a pain.

JKS

[ncjohn]

We have ended up seeing one of the strangest weather things today I have encountered. We got a quick couple inches of snow yesterday afternoon before it turned to rain. The rain continued through the night and as of about 1:00 PM was still going. Yet the snow remains and has not been melted off even though it never went below freezing in that entire time frame.

I'm at something of a loss to explain this one.

John
 

[reen]

Can't figure that one out either, John.

James, we've had the same kind of January. Very little snow.
This mid-Atlantic state storm passed well south of us.
Even with a city highly prepared for a northern winter,
24 inches of snow calls many things to a halt for a
day or two.


Now here's a photo that a northerner can empathize with:

[The U.S. Capitol building, this date.]


 
Yup. Seen evergreens with this weight of snow.
Now that's one - big - snow.


Glad It's Not Here  

[jsiegman]

The two things most city and suburban dwellers complain about the most is the traffic and the weather.

A picture is woth 1000 words.

If you are wondering where I am going with these two statements, it is simple --- take a look at this page.

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/subindex/traffic/traffic_cams

There are three groups of cameras -- I-90 (Kennedy), I-55 (Eisenhower) and other. Pick other. You will see the intersection of I-290 and I-294, about 3 miles southeast of my house. You can get an up-of-date view of both our weather and traffic and I don't have t spend 30 minutes trying to come up with the right words to describe it.

JKS

[ncjohn]

The picture I just saw didn't show much to complain about in either the weather or traffic department. Especially after looking at the one from D.C. I just saw on the news a bit ago that one of the areas around DC got 32".

We warmed up to a pretty nice 45 this afternoon. Headed over to our local ski resort this morning with my BIL and had some fun though it was the typical east coast ice skiing until right before we left.

John
 

[jsiegman]

The picture I just saw didn't show much to complain about in either the weather or traffic department. Especially after looking at the one from D.C. I just saw on the news a bit ago that one of the areas around DC got 32".

True enough, although it has been hovering around 10 to 20 most of this week. Other than only going above freezing one or two days in January and having sunshine only one or two days as well, it really isn't that bad. Since i don't have to go out but two days a week (one i I get real lucky) it's actually quite bearable.

As far as the traffic, that intersection doesn't get very bad on Sundays. Actually, that intersection rarely gets congested, even during rush hours. You should see some of the others though. They rival any parking lot that any city can produce.

JKS

[reen]

Uh-oh, James. Just saw the report of snow heading for Chicago.

Apparently, the D.C. area and Baltimore are expecting another 10 to 20 inches.
Have to say that I've never seen a sizeable snowstorm followed so quickly by another, of similar magnitude.
This picture looked somewhat familiar, in terms of 26 or 27 inches.




reens

[jsiegman]

This isn't exactly weather (we are getting hit with about a foot of snow)  but I am feeling left out again.

The news on TV us talking about a magnitude 4.3 earthquake with an epicenter about 30 miles west of me. They are saying that the switchboard s lighting up with phone calls from the western suburbs (ME!) about th quake, peple being thrown from bed, etc. I didn't feel a damn thing ! Always in the neighborhood and manage to completely miss it again.

JKS

[Alan]

This isn't exactly weather (we are getting hit with about a foot of snow)  but I am feeling left out again.

The news on TV us talking about a magnitude 4.3 earthquake with an epicenter about 30 miles west of me. They are saying that the switchboard s lighting up with phone calls from the western suburbs (ME!) about th quake, peple being thrown from bed, etc. I didn't feel a damn thing ! Always in the neighborhood and manage to completely miss it again.

JKS

Understand feeling "left out."  Is that a bad thing?

[reen]

This isn't exactly weather (we are getting hit with about a foot of snow)  but I am feeling left out again.

The news on TV us talking about a magnitude 4.3 earthquake with an epicenter about 30 miles west of me. They are saying that the switchboard s lighting up with phone calls from the western suburbs (ME!) about th quake, peple being thrown from bed, etc. I didn't feel a damn thing ! Always in the neighborhood and manage to completely miss it again.

JKS

I couldn't believe it - when i read of the earthquake near Chicago,
along with a foot of snow. What time did this happen?

reen


 

[jsiegman]

The snow was over the last day and a half. The earthquake was a few minutes before 4 AM. I had just gotten off the computer games, checked the TV guide online, and started reading my e-mail when it occurred. So i was awake, alert, sitting in a chair so there is no reason for me not to feel it.

The only thing that makes even less sense is what the newscasters were saying in their little "We gotta look intelligent by having some unprepared commentary on the story amongst ourselves" act. Both extremes were encountered from those who didn't notice a thing to those who felt it s much that they slipped a bit, almost losing their balance.

In another attempt to appear intelligent, they interviewed a seismologist and kept trying to get her to discuss how it might be linked to the deepest snow storm we have had in 30+ years. After two or three careful answers, she finally stated bluntly that earthquakes are not linked to seasonal weather, period. The newscaster looked rather disappointed.

JKS

[reen]

quote: jsiegman
After two or three careful answers, she finally stated bluntly that earthquakes are not linked to seasonal weather, period. The newscaster looked rather disappointed.

 

Whoaaaaa! Those wind chills didn't cause the earthquake?
Trying to wrap my mind around temperature... influencing the movement of tectonic plates.

Does Al Gore know about this?


reens

[Alan]

Does Al Gore know about this?

 

[reen]

 


reen

[ncjohn]

Well, it appears we're in for some more snow down south tomorrow. Atlanta is expecting a couple inches and they're even predicting some down into the Florida panhandle! We're right on the top fringe so we may or may not see much of anything here. Usually though, when  it comes up from the Gulf side, we are more likely to have it come around the mountains and drop some on us.

[reen]

 

Bird walking North, to avoid the snow.

 

 
 


anon
    

[ncjohn]

I'm about ready to join that bird, Reen.

Maybe I'll head to Vancouver; at least they don't seem to be getting much snow there! 

[jsiegman]

No, but they are so upset about that they are importing it from other places.

JKS

[reen]

Maybe they could send some of this to Vancover:



 
 

reens

[Lana]

I think i'd cry if i woke up to that much snow!
It's two winters now i have yet to even put on
my snow boots...i am happy in my sneekers!

I am with the bird if the snow lands here!!!

Lana

[reen]

Uh-oh.

http://www.accuweather.com/regional-news-story.asp?region=eastusnews

8 to 12 inches tonight, thru Wed. afternoon. Then a 'monster' storm to follow
on Thurs and Friday.

Have to bring the car to the dealership Wednesday at 7:30 AM.
Normally take a cab home, but not tomorrow. I'm going to wait
until the work is accomplished. Hope that we don't lose power,
but we'll be ready in any case. Have a tankful of gas, treats and goodies
brought home today, plus some extra treats for Pussy La Rue.


Ready for Snowflakes, on the shores of the Hudson 

[Lana]

Oh reen, even if i am too old and sore to do this, i still dream about being brave
enough to build forts in the snow, snow angels, and catching a flake on my tongue!...
Besides that...snow sucks!...but it is so pretty!

Do hope the snow does not make it to difficult to go back and forth from the dealership!

Lana

[reen]

quote: Lana
Do hope the snow does not make it to difficult to go back and forth from the dealership!

As it turned out, I'm an old campaigner, when it comes to northeast winters.
The man who keeps us shoveled out in the winter, was here at 6 AM
to clean off the car and shovel the next layer of snow that had fallen
during the night. Big ridge of snow, left by a plow, but not to worry.  

At 6:45 AM, I backed up a bit, and then went forward, gliding over the snow ridge,
letting  the back of the car fishtail, so that I was now exactly in the middle of the road.
[Lots of cars parked at the curbs, on both sides of the street, so not much leeway to maneuver.]
There were very few cars on the road that early,  and I made it to the dealership before the plow got there,
and then got the car out of the way when the plowing began. Was at the dealership until around 11 AM,
and then drove back into our own driveway, over another! ridge of snow.

Slow and easy, is my motto, in a really slippery snowfall. Easing off the gas pedal -
and dropping down gears - when needed.
Now we're getting ready for part 2 of the snowstorms. It warmed up this afternoon,
and helped to melt some of the existing snow. Hoping that weekend temperatures
will escort whatever snow falls, Thurs and Fri, back into the water cycle.  

Experienced Motorist  

[Lana]

LOL...you certainly can handle yourself in the snow, girl!

BTW...who did the driving in those conditions?

Lana