First snow

[Dee]

It's 4:00 in the morning. Fluffy snow is falling in the darkness outside my windows. I wish it would stay that way, but it will be mixed with rain later today and turn to mush on the roads and sidewalks. You haven't lived till you've been splattered with slush by a careless passing motorist racing mindlessly along.

Last night I watched the first snow come floating down
And land on the streets of this sleepy town
Well, I got out my mitts and I got out my hat
Ain't it funny how the season change just like that

(Lynn Miles - Last Night)

[Amy in Vermont]

We had a couple of inches yesterday morning. I love it as much as I hate it.

[Roady]

Yup the usual first storm news in my neck of the woods
In Westminster on Route 2, police responded to three crashes yesterday morning, one of which was a rollover by Exit 24B with minor injuries. There also were fender-benders along Route 2 in Leominster, Lancaster, Fitchburg and Sterling, Sgt. Bousquet said. State police in Athol called conditions on Route 2 “horrible,” with “cars off the road all over the place.” There was a serious accident outside of Worcester County in Erving.

But I anticipated this disaster and got our early just as the roads were getting white. In fact shortly after I crossed Route 128, I heard on the radio that the storm had just reached the 128 area so I was just ahead of the snow all the way into Boston.

I'm lucky - if the roads are bad I can stay home and work another day.

[Dee]

Winter is not supposed to arrive till December 22 this year. Did I oversleep by a month? Even the birds that normally head south seem confused.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Photo%20Shoebox%20VI/earlywintermorningNov202007.jpg

I bet there's a lot of cursing and swearing in those cars as they crawl along on their morning commute. ;)

[Oak Kitten]

Roady,

Thanks for the update from my old homestead (Fitchburg). Since I moved to the south, I have always been critical of the way folks around here freak out at even the threat of snow - and ridicule their inability to drive in it, or to know when NOT to drive (ice storm) at all. But from that report, it sounds like the folks in the Wachusett Valley are equally inept. Have you had in influx of immigrants from the south recently? It is probably just a bunch of fools in 4-wheel drive SUVs that think those vehicles render them immune from the laws of physics.

Oak

[Dee]

Well, it only took me three days of procrastinating, but there’s now an Apple Crisp in the oven. I didn't have quite the 6 Tbsp of butter the recipe calls for, but it might turn out okay. I wasn’t about to venture out in the mini blizzard for more. :cool:

[Dee]

Take this:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Photo%20Shoebox%20VI/ACtakethis.jpg

Add this:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Photo%20Shoebox%20VI/ACaddthis.jpg

Get this:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Photo%20Shoebox%20VI/ACgetthis.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Emoticons/smile.jpg

[KarenSews2]

Dee, MMMMmmmmm!! I'll be making pun'kin pies later today--and starting some of the food for tomorrow.

Oak, I had the same issues when we lived in Tennessee. I swear, if they heard a flake fell six counties away, everything closed! And the Kentucky Fried Chicken on the AJ Highway was usually the first to shut the doors!! :rolleyes:

As to the snow, I was out last week when we actually had a few flakes--and that was the extent of the snowfall that day. I have not heard when we are supposed to get real snow around here. In fact, right now, I have the door open to let in some fresh air! Wendy, want to go sit on the porch with me?? :)

[Dee]

Snowfall warning for: City of Ottawa

10 TO 20 CENTIMETRES OF SNOW LIKELY BY THURSDAY NIGHT

AN APPROACHING WINTER STORM FROM MISSOURI WILL BRING THE FIRST WINTER STORM OF THE SEASON TONIGHT AND THURSDAY. MANY REGIONS EXTENDING FROM LAKE HURON EAST TO THE DUNDALK HIGHLANDS IS CURRENTLY SEEING RAIN BUT AS THE TEMPERATURE FALLS TO NEAR FREEZING THE RAIN WILL QUICKLY CHANGE OVER TO WET SNOW AND ICE PELLETS THIS AFTERNOON AND THEN SNOW TONIGHT. NEAR 10 CENTIMETRES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED TO FALL TONIGHT WITH AN ADDITIONAL 10 CENTIMETRES TO FOLLOW ON THURSDAY. HIGHER SNOW AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED TO FALL OVER HIGHER TERRAIN. REGIONS ACROSS EASTERN ONTARIO INCLUDING OTTAWA HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED SNOW FROM A PREVIOUS DISTURBANCE AND WILL CONTINUE TO SEE SNOW FALL TONIGHT AND INTO THURSDAY. TOTAL SNOWFALL AMOUNTS NEAR 15 CENTIMETRES BY THURSDAY NIGHT ARE POSSIBLE AS THE WINTER STORM SLOWLY MOVES EAST ACROSS THE LOWER LAKES TONIGHT INTO NEW ENGLAND BY THURSDAY NIGHT.

Time to warm up the dog sled.

[aabram]

Just WET here :(

[diver_boy]

Humid and mild here. i think about 58 in nyc now.
yesterday was much colder. :-/
i hate this weather.

[Amy in Vermont]

Thursday, November 22
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/images/msnbc/wea/36/12.gif Day: Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High near 40F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
Night: Rain and snow in the evening. A snow shower or two late - otherwise, mostly cloudy. Low 26F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precip 50%.


Happy Day off to me! I think a day long snooze is in order!

[Kath of the Guitar]

I miss the snow around the holidays, haven't made a snowball in quite awhile.
Dee, thanks for reminding me! Like you, I would always venture out late at night.....mostly I miss walking in it, and hearing the crunch crunch under my feet....God do I miss that.:( But I have to say the weather this time of year is beautiful in sunny Fla.
Karen, got those pies cookin yet?
mmm....pun'kin, don't put them on the porch window.....;)
Wendy, wanna go eat???
Enjoy your DAY-OFF Amy, Play some guitar . :D

[Bat]

I miss the good New England snows, too, Kath...it's rainy here in Cinci, and very warm today= mid sixties all day, and still around 60 now--good sweatshirt weather!
Supposed to get much colder tonight as a front blows through later, and chances of flurries tomorrow late. White Thanksgiving??
Have a great dinner everyone!

[lucille]

Wendy, want to go sit on the porch with me??


Hey Karen, if it means pun'kin pie, I'll sit anywhere you want me to.:) I'll meecha there KTG.

I doubt if we'll see a white Xmas - not that Geelong ever has.:D

[Dee]

Well the snow we got is here to stay. It's -21°C wind chill out there this morning. Thank goodness the sun is out in full force. I have outside things I need to get done this morning. BRRR! Time to fill up on some hot oatmeal and toast.

[DaveM]

Just about buried here....naturally, the weather forecast was for "a chance of flurries". Sheesh. I am in my second day of being housebound. Shoveled the sidewalk of course but those who are paid to do so have done nothing similar to local roads....

But as a Minnesotan, I will grin and bear it. The oil tank is full, the bills are paid, and my affairs are more or less in order. Presumably things will be moving soon enough. Meanwhile, I remind myself of my Scandinavian heritage and its credo that life is supposed to hurt. And I am more or less at peace.

[Dee]

WINTER STORM WARNING FOR: CITY OF OTTAWA
Issued at 5:00 AM EST SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER 2007

HEAVY SNOW CONTINUING THEN MIXED WITH FREEZING RAIN THROUGH MIDDAY. THIS IS A WARNING THAT DANGEROUS WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE IMMINENT OR OCCURRING IN THESE REGIONS.

A MAJOR WINTER STORM FROM COLORADO IS MOVING OVER THE GREAT LAKES. THIS WINTER STORM HAS A LARGE AREA OF HEAVY SNOW AND FREEZING RAIN ASSOCIATED WITH IT EXTENDING FROM THE COLORADO AND NEBRASKA AREAS ALL THE WAY UP TO THE GREAT LAKES AND NORTHERN ONTARIO. THE LEADING EDGE OF THE SNOW HAS ARRIVED INTO TRENTON AND WILL CONTINUE TO MARCH STEADILY NORTHEAST ACROSS THE DISTRICT REACHING OTTAWA EARLY THIS MORNING. OVER SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO NEAR WINDSOR FREEZING RAIN OR ICE PELLETS HAVE ENDED AND RAIN IS EXPECTED THIS MORNING. REGIONS NORTH AND EAST OF WINDSOR AND SOUTH OF A LINE FROM GODERICH TO MOUNT FOREST TO PETERBOROUGH AND OVER TO KINGSTON WILL SEE NEAR 10 CENTIMETRES OF SNOW ACCUMULATIONS BEFORE BECOMING MIXED WITH FREEZING RAIN OR ICE PELLETS LATER THIS MORNING OR MIDDAY. THEN THE PRECIPITATION WILL CHANGE OVER TO RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON. UP TO 15 CENTIMETRES OF TOTAL SNOW MIXED WITH ICE PELLETS IS POSSIBLE OVER AREAS CLOSE TO THE NIAGARA ESCARPMENT INCLUDING THE WESTERN SHORES OF LAKE ONTARIO INCLUDING THE CITY OF TORONTO. REGIONS OVER EASTERN ONTARIO INCLUDING OTTAWA AND GATINEAU WILL SEE SNOW BEGINNING EARLY THIS MORNING WITH THE HEAVIEST SNOW FALLING OVERNIGHT INTO MONDAY MORNING. SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 10 TO 15 CENTIMETRES ARE POSSIBLE BY MONDAY MORNING WITH AN ADDITIONAL 10 TO 20 BY MONDAY EVENING. DANGEROUS WINTER TRAVELLING CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED ACROSS ONTARIO AS THE SNOW MAY POSSIBLY BE HEAVY AT TIMES WHICH CAN CAUSE BRIEF WHITEOUT CONDITIONS. FURTHERMORE ROADS WILL BE SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY DUE TO FREEZING RAIN AND ICE PELLETS. TRAVEL PLANS SHOULD BE ALTERED ACCORDINGLY. AT THIS POINT IN TIME THERE IS STILL UNCERTAINTY IN THE TRACK OF THE LOW INTO THE GREAT LAKES THIS AFTERNOON. IF THE LOW TRACKS FURTHER NORTH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF THE PRECIPITATION WILL FALL AS RAIN OR POSSIBLY FREEZING RAIN. ALTERNATELY IF THE LOW TRACKS FURTHER SOUTH THE SNOWFALL AMOUNTS WILL BE HIGHER THAN CURRENTLY INDICATED IN THE FORECAST.

I am into day three of a nasty head cold, but I really must go out for some supplies this morning since tomorrow looks worse. I could use some fresh air too after two days housebound, but this is ridiculous! (I never should have fired those servants.)

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Emoticons/snowman.gif

[hoops]

i woke up this morning at 5 drank my breakfast and dressed for my after meal walk, when i opened the door i was plesantly surprised by the light snowfall that must have started about an hour before. i got out into it and the sound of snow falling in the early morning cannot be beat. the crunch of your own feet underneath you and the way the slightest sound seems like an echo in a beautful country canyon. i took about three of four steps and realized that it was a LOT colder than i thought it was...gotta admit, this kinda put a kink in things the cold is not good to my body. but i continued my walk the full 2+ miles ( cause i have to walk for at least a half an hour or the "meal" won;t make it to my stomach) as the day wore on the snow continued to fall very slowly and lightly thru my mid day meal walk and my dinner walk and it is supposed to continue thru the night with an accumulation of about 12 inches or so. the snow is like the cleanser of the world, it seems to take down with it all the dust and grime that is in the everyday wind, the air feels crisp and full of life and fresh in the lungs. when i lived on my country road at my parents house, it would be days before that loveliness was really disturbed. now that i live in the midst of the city, by night fall, the noise was back and the sides of the roads were brown and grey, but while taking my dinner walk, i listened carefully to Janis singing and the crunch of the snow beneath me keeping time it became qucickly like a dance that i wanted to dance so badly that i could think, and see, and be in nothing else but the movement of the dance. winter is cold and hard, my car sucks in the snow, warming up seems to take forever when you walk in the front door and the moisture from the melting sticks to clothing and to feel and hands and faces. but winter is pure white and virginal in it's lovliness, unmatched in it's purity. for that i feel deep love for the winter snows and await their coming with anticipation and joy, it's the new that washes away the old and makes the world clean again so that the tender spring can grow in when it's gone.
peace
hoops

[Dee]

Nice description, Hoops.

The snow we got overnight is still mostly unspoiled except where they’ve plowed an early morning path through the parking lot behind my building. I believe we got close to 10 inches overnight and are expecting four more today.

Lets go throw ourselves down over in that field and make us some snow angels.

[Dee]

Boy was I off. Now they are saying we'll get another 8 to 12 inches of snow today on top of what's already there. :eek:

[hoops]

welp, my 40th year is gonna do me in yet. this morning i woke and was surprised not to find the roads covered in snow. the sidewalks where i walked were covered in ice and toe roads in slush. ok fast forward till i'm driving to work, i make my turn off onto zena rd without a hitch ( tho i was tired as heck for some danged reason ) just a few hundred years ahead was the first turn, it wasn;t qa sharp one by any standard and i was driving no more than 20 mph then the road straightened out but my lovely vehicle kept turning right thru the other lane and into a nice ditch. i wasn;t going fast enough to get hurt but danged i could have hit a bunch of trees , somehow i did not. i tried to start the car just to make sure it still ran and it did, but it wouldn;t move backward cause the ground underneath was full of a kazillion leaves and too soft for the tirs to get a hold of. my plan, get some of the fallen branches shove em under the tired for traction and back out of the ditch...then i got out of the car and i noticed the rear tired were a good three feet off the ground...there would be no backing out and not pushing out (plan B...foiled) i called work and the tow truck and the police and 20 minutes, and $100.00 later i was on my way to work. If another danged thing happens to my car, or me, i'm selling my car and getting the danged motorcycle. so what it's cold...i know my time is clicking away...i'm gonna enjoy it! just kidding.
peace
hoops

[Dee]

Try to stay out of the ditches Hoops. :eek:

Well it just keeps getting better and better. (Excuse me while I blow my nose again. Head cold. HONK!)

Coldest winter in years, Environment Canada warns

"The weather phenomenon La Nina will bring Canada the coldest winter in nearly 15 years, Environment Canada warned Friday.

Environment Canada's temperature forecast shows the majority of the country will experience a "temperature anomaly" of below-normal temperatures through the months of December, January and February.

Much of Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Alberta and parts of British Columbia and southern Ontario will also see above-normal precipitation.

David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada, told The Canadian Press that the temperature and precipitation abnormalities are likely the result of the weather phenomenon La Nina.

La Nina, meaning the little girl, is the appearance of cooler-than-normal waters in the eastern and central Pacific Ocean.

"La Nina is thought to occur due to increases in the strength of the normal patterns of trade wind circulation," Environment Canada's website says.

"For reasons not yet fully understood, periodically these trade winds are strengthened, increasing the amount of cooler water."

These cooler waters result in wetter-than-normal conditions in the northern hemisphere and changes to the jet stream over North America....

Coldest winter in years, Environment Canada warns (http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071130/cold_winter_071130/20071130?hub=Canada&s_name=)

[hoops]

dang dee, you guys just don't get a break!!
peace
hoops
PS as i passed the place where i went into the ditch there was someone else in the exact same place today!

[Bat]

Better keep the car, Hoops...you wouldn't be going anywhere, even slowly, on a motorcycle in snow!

[stardust]

Bat, is it snowing there now? I just heard we are getting 2-5 here tonight.

[hoops]

bat...you don;t know me very well ;) remember me and sister rose...the bus drivers, the sidewalk runners...if it moves, i'll drive it just kiddin
peace
hoops

[Bat]

Hi Terrie...we got a dusting which sorta got slushy in the sun, then froze again...typical for Cinci, we can't get away from the ice, somewhere.
It was dusty again around noon, then quit. Just a dismal, dreary, direful little day here. ::::GLOOOOOOOM;::::::(


Hoops, maybe with steel soled shoes.....

[Dee]

dang dee, you guys just don't get a break!!
peace
hoops
PS as i passed the place where i went into the ditch there was someone else in the exact same place today!

Oy! Well there you go. You've started a new trend.

The sun actually came out for about two minutes today. Nonetheless it's still only -9°C / 15°F and feeling like -17°C with the wind all day long. And to gripe a little more, they are saying it's going to be the coldest winter in fifteen years. :eek:

[hoops]

Dee, it has been unusually cold here in NY too. with temps in the teens and low twenties...this is weather we usually don;t see till Feb. it's not looking good for a comfortable winter...maybe i will have to get studded tires for my motorcycle...sheesh
peace
hoops

[DaveM]

We had the usual (and always entertaining) bunch of SUVs in ditches, everyone who believes that having 4 wheel drive provides additional braking apparently finding out in a hurry. The ditches were full enough to attract the attention of the local newspaper (which really isn't worthy of the name but that's another matter), which ran a picture and some comments about the apparent inability of the drivers of the vehicles in question to judge road conditions.

Several of them (or one and several friends or one with several screen names) took offense and FLOODED the paper's online version with screeds about how it was all the fault of the people who drove too slowly in front of them and/or wouldn't speed up when tailgated or what have you. One fellow said the next time someone wouldn't get out of his way he was going to ram them "and then the accident'll be your fault and you'll have to buy me a new truck". Another claimed he "keeps a surprise in his glove compartment" for drivers who annoy him. So far as I know, the vitriol is still flying over there.

Anyway, just as a warning: should you find yourself in Northern Minnesota and come upon and SUV in the ditch, DO NOT stop to help. In fact, if you see an SUV anywhere in this region, stay as far away as possible. Better still, avoid Northern Minnesota unless en route to escape into Canada.

[Dee]

Perhaps it would help if they let OnStar do the driving? OnStar does do the thinking for the brainless driver does it not?

:rolleyes:

[hoops]

davem, isn't it interesting...it seems that people in NY with the same sort of vehicles seem to have the same thought pattens... i wonder if it is a new personality type...wonder what they call it in the DSM-IVr?
peace
hoops

[DaveM]

Dee--OnStar is smarter than any random half-dozen of these people put together. The problem of course is that if you mention this to them, they are far less likely to thank you for the lesson than they are to set your house on fire and shoot at you when you come running out.

I do think Vehicle Surrogacy Syndrome ought to be in the DSM somewhere. I mean, they currently have a "mental illness" in there which has no listed symptom, and another for which the primary symptom is happiness. If those are diseases, I'm not sure I want to know what some of the "ordinary" behavior out there is.

[hoops]

i almost got rearended by one of the *&^(er's ( Lovely people in large 4x4 vehicles) today and i was just following the 5 people in front of me. the road out in front of my apartment is ice, covered in a light snow...slip-o-rama and i am hearing cars speeding past as i write...i wonder what is happening at the stop sign just 50 feet up the road...i'm not hearing anyone stop. i wonder if dee can come up with a holiday song for slipping in a winter death trap.
peace
hoops

[hoops]

just came in from my after "dinner" walk. now, i don;t take much note to what the weather will be unless it is brought up in my presence, most cause it doesn;t matter i still have to get out there in it and walk to get the damned meals to start to move in the direction of my stomach. so tonight when i stepped outside and nearly hit my can falling on the ice from the downcoming sleet, i was a bit surprised. the majority of the sidewalks around me are blue stone which are like walking on sandpaper (she says with sarcasm) and as i walked the sleet poured down aharder and harder...it had almost stopped when i first stepped out, so i slid for the 2 plus miles of the walk, doing all i could not to fall yet creating enough motion to cause gravity to work better than it normally does. so when i reached home again i was soaked and covered in freeze and cold and i still feel the liquid in my esophagus. that's all i wanted to say... thank God i have feet that work and arms that can carry.
peace
hoops

[Dee]

EEEP! :eek:

Winter storm warning for: City of Ottawa

A NEAR-CRIPPLING SNOW STORM WITH HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW AS WELL AS SOME ICE PELLETS TONIGHT AND SUNDAY.

A MASSIVE WINTER STORM IS ABOUT TO STRIKE MUCH OF SOUTHERN AND EASTERN ONTARIO WITH NEAR RECORD SNOWFALL AMOUNTS. LATEST ANALYSES INDICATES THAT THE DEVELOPING LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM IS MOVING INTO WESTERN TENNESEE PRECEEDED BY A BURGEONING AREA OF MODERATE SNOW WITH SOME FREEZING PRECIPITATION EXTENDING NORTH TO LAKE ERIE. THE LOW WILL MOVE NORTHEAST TOWARDS THE LOWER GREAT LAKES AND INTENSIFY RAPIDLY AS IT REACHES OHIO SUNDAY MORNING THEN TRACK ACROSS NEW YORK STATE INTO NEW ENGLAND SUNDAY NIGHT. THIS STORM TRACK WILL PLACE MUCH OF SOUTHERN AND EASTERN ONTARIO DIRECTLY UNDER THE BRUNT OF HEAVY SNOW. A FEW CLAPS OF THUNDER ALONG WITH BURSTS OF VERY HEAVY SNOW ARE ALSO LIKELY. PATCHY AREAS OF SNOW HAVE AFFECTED PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN ONTARIO TODAY AS WELL AS A LAKE SNOW BAND MEANDERING ACROSS TORONTO. THERE IS A CHANCE THAT THIS BAND MAY INTENSIFY THIS EVENING OVER TORONTO GIVING LOCALLY 5 CM OR MORE. THE BRUNT OF THE MAIN SNOW EVENT WILL BEGIN THIS EVENING IN THE SOUTHWEST AND RAPIDLY ENVELOP ALL REGIONS EAST TO OTTAWA IN THE OVERNIGHT HOURS. COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF SNOW AS WELL AS STRONG WINDS CAUSING BLOWING SNOW ARE EXPECTED. FREEZING RAIN IS ALSO POSSIBLE NEAR LAKE ERIE. WIDESPREAD SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 20 TO 30 CM ARE EXPECTED IN MOST AREAS TONIGHT AND SUNDAY. SOME LOCAL AMOUNTS OF 40 CM OR MORE ARE QUITE LIKELY IN A FEW AREAS BY SUNDAY NIGHT..ESPECIALLY FROM THE WEST END OF LAKE ONTARIO AND EASTWARDS INTO FAR EASTERN ONTARIO. SIGNIFICANT BLOWING SNOW IS EXPECTED TO ACCOMPANY THE HEAVY SNOW DUE TO STRONG NORTHEAST WINDS GUSTING TO 60 KM/H WHIPPING UP THE FRESHLY FALLEN SNOW AND CAUSING WHITEOUT CONDITIONS. IN ADDITION FREEZING RAIN IS POSSIBLE ESPECIALLY NEAR LAKE ERIE FOR A FEW HOURS OVERNIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING AS MILDER AIR PAYS A BRIEF VISIT ALOFT. ICE PELLETS ARE ALSO QUITE POSSIBLE GENERALLY ALONG AND SOUTH OF A LINE FROM GRAND BEND TO NEAR TORONTO AND EAST TO CORNWALL. THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE PREPARED TO CHANGE PLANS ACCORDINGLY TO AVOID UNNECESSARY TRAVEL DURING THIS STORM. THIS MASSIVE SNOW STORM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE NEAR-PARALYZING CONDITIONS AS ROAD TRAVEL ON ANY UNPLOWED STREETS MAY BECOME NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE ON SUNDAY. ALL MOTORISTS WHO MUST TRAVEL ARE URGENTLY ADVISED TO USE EXTREME CAUTION AND PLAN FOR MUCH EXTRA TIME TO REACH THEIR DESTINATION.

[gisli]

Well there has been snow here too, but mostly incredible storms, the worst we have seen.....well since last year. Just this week we have had four storms and expecting another tonight wind has been going up to 40-60 meters a sec. blowing the roofs of many buildings, knocking trees down etc. With it has come warm weather so the snow is almost all gone.

Watch out and take care.

[hoops]

the wind and the rain and the snow are on their way here too...actually i think it is far too cold for rain, but the weather people say it might happen. this has been the coldest snowiest winter in decades. good luck to all of you in the midst of the storms.
peace
hoops

[Dee]

Of all the things I thought we might ever share Hoops, this wasn't one of them. But obviously it is. :eek:

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Photo%20Shoebox%20VI/bigstormDec162007.jpg

It's just beginning to arrive in earnest here in Ottawa now.

Snow
-14°C / 8°F
Feels Like: -26
Wind: NE 39km/hr
Wind gusts: 56km/hr

[hoops]

i hear ya dee, we can do better than this ...lol this really sucks, just too much at one time.
peace
hoops

[Dee]

Yah, it's gonna be a lonnnnnng winter this year Hoops, but hey, at least we get a White Christmas this time. I seem to recall grass and short sleeves in December last year.

Time to warm up the dog sled. :p

[Amy in Vermont]

We got a 4 or 5 inch dumping this morning. Then we had a break.

Just now, its started up again in earnest, heavy blowing snow, supposed to go all night and add another 6-10 inches before it quots in time to go to work in the morning.

I don't mind snow, but I agree.. its looking like a looonng winter!

[Dee]

As snow storms go, this really isn't that odd. Having it arrive a week before Winter (officially) does might be tho. :o

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Photo%20Shoebox%20VI/Dec162007backlot.jpg

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Photo%20Shoebox%20VI/Dec162007windowsnowdrift.jpg

[hoops]

that's the oddest part, that it is so early, as i recall winter didn;t really start till january last year...it is going to be a longgggg winter...far to long for my liking.
peace
hoops

[Darlene]

Right now in East Tennessee it's 30 degrees (2 degrees below freezing). We expect some snow this evening. I know for you guys that's not bad but for us, well they may even close the schools. Big laugh!!!!!!!:p

[DaveM]

The weather here in and of itself would be much easier to bear were it not for the sudden arrival of seed catalogs in the mail, the appearance of flower bulbs in stores, and the plethora of fishing shows on television. Which, by the end of January, I tend to regard as high entertainment.

[hoops]

davem, i'm so sorry to hear this...it must be BAD where you are
peace
hoops

[DaveM]

Oh, we usually laugh about it until the end of January or so. But this year winter came in with a bang--over a foot of snow in one dump just over two weeks ago, followed by two weeks of mostly subzero temperatures. We have already had almost as much snow and cold as we generally get in an entire winter! So this year, it's getting old a bit faster than usual.

Special thanks to those who sent Christmas cards which did not have winter scenes on them....

[hoops]

because my car sucks so badly in the snow it has brought to my memory something that happened many years ago. Those of you from Canada and the northeast know of a place called the "snow belt" it is a pth of land that stretches across the finger lakes and mush of the northeast. in the snow belt getting four feet of snow in a day is not uncommon and can happen several days in a row. My sister who lives in buffalo ny lives in the snow belt, last year she got seven feet of snow in 12 hours and the snow didn;t stop for three days...but that is not the story i'm telling.
My grandmother lived in the snow belt near utica ny in a little town way out in the woods on a lake known as boonville (fitting isn;t it). she worked in utica which is more than a half hour away on a good day. during one winter blizzard when she was about 75 or so, she was driving home on the major highway known as route 12 north, a long stretch of highway with a high speed limit. people who live near there, for the most part, are good drivers inthe snow. this was an especially bad storm that left the field of vision about one foot in front of her. someone behind her went to pass her and sent her car into a spin, as it was so hard to see and so slippery other cars followed, by the time she was knocked into a snow bank she had been hit 12 times. thank God cars in those days were tanks. someone finally stopped and it happened to be someone she knew ( she knew everyone ) and it was decided that she be taken home and call the police from there. when she got home the "Troopers" were called and would be there soon. my aunt who lived next door, came over to stay with her. good ole Gram mixed herself up a stinger to calm her nerves. My aunt "Mom the troopers will be here in a minute so you think a drink is a good idea?" without missing a bit Gram replied "If they want one I'll make em one when they get here."
peace
hoops

[Agnes]

Yeah, we've got snow here. Not much, fortunately, but still; the dogs love it! (kids too, but those I don't watch as often :D)

[DaveM]

Some dogs absolutely love snow. My neighbor has a black lab that just goes crazy in fresh snow....it's a joy just to watch! I have no idea what the thrill is but she sure loves the stuff!

[Roady]

Seems like every friggen morning the past two weeks has been like Joys of Winter (http://youtube.com/w/?v=FIcXWO3Defc)

[Dee]

Now THAT was funny, bless his poor simple heart. :p

Thanks for my first laugh today, Roady!

[Dee]

Brace for floods (http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=ae49aef8-f11b-4a98-8ef5-ae2c4119dcb4&k=65597)

As the predicted high temperature for Sunday edges up, the city is warning residents of a flood risk.

Environment Canada says Ottawa could see a high of 9C :eek: on Sunday, accompanied by significant rainfall.

The city is asking homeowners to uncover drains near their residences, to give meltwater and rain a chance to run off rather than pool up and turn streets to ice once sub-zero conditions return Sunday night and for Christmas Eve.

The sloppy conditions on Ottawa streets will be the product of a storm system coming out of the American southwest. Unlike last week's storm which dumped 37 centimetres of snow on the city, this storm will take a northern track, with the centre staying to the west of Southern Ontario.

Areas to the east of the storm will find themselves in the flow of warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico that could bring as much as 20 millimetres of rain to Ottawa and the Ottawa Valley. The rain and warm temperatures will turn city crews from snow clearing duties to clearing drains and thawing out catch basins to handle the run-off.

Residents could help the effort in the meantime by clearing off drains near their property, a city spokesman said...

Overnight Saturday the thermometer will fall to 3C, then rise to the expected high of 9C, before starting to fall to an overnight low of -10C. The high Monday, Christmas Eve, with precipitation changing to snow, is expected to be 0C.

Christmas Day, should see a fresh coat of snow on the ground as there is a 40 per cent chance of flurries.

[Darlene]

It would be kind of nice if you have planned to stay in this season and if you have warmth, food, and water. Would be even nicer if you had a fire place. A lot of work fireplaces but for me worth the work. I lived in a home heated with a wood stove or fireplace for most of my life.

Darlene

[Dee]

It would be Darlene, but the only person I know with wood stoves is my boyfriend and those are up at his cabin in the woods, so that's out of the question.

[hoops]

i love to watch dogs who love the snow...it's like...well... like having their favorite toy, their favorite food and their favorite bitch all in one.

roady,
i love your frankness. i'm sorry it's been a pain, but hahahahahahaa
peace
hoops

[Bat]

At least you didn't have to contend with cold, clammy, soggy foggy weather like Cincinnati usually gets in the early winter...just enough snow and sleet and ice to look pretty and be deadly to the goofy drivers who seem to forget from year to year just what that stuff is.
...but today it is beautiful...clear blue sky with a few high fluffy clouds, sunshine galore, and 60 degrees (F).
That will change in the next few days, but it's a happy day today!

[marjan]

Here's a picture of my view from my bedroom window this morning ..

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d181/DKCS/Various/winter2007.jpg

[Dee]

The frost on the trees is just beautiful Marjan! Lucky you to have such a view to wake up to each morning. :)

[hoops]

marjan,
that is gorgeous! what a beautiful place you have! nice placefor a rudie party :)
peace
hoops

[Dee]

I was hoping this wouldn't come to pass but it seems it will.

After our massive snow storm last week, a massive rainfall is coming today. It's only raining lightly at the moment and 2°C but heading for 9°C this aft with heavy rain.

Maybe Santa will bring me a nice canoe? :o

[Bat]

What a gorgeous photo, Marjan! That was taken pretty EARLY, wasn't it? (I would have missed it.)

Sorry, Dee, I expect I'll be using my canoe before long; it rained pretty heavily last night--see, I told you it would change!
Today is cold and getting colder by the minute, with winds 22mph gusting to 40+. It's dropped 20 degrees just this morning. The clouds are that heavy, special dark gray that says 'snow', but so far nothing. They are moving fast, so maybe will end up in Pittsburgh or points northeast.

Tomorrow is supposed to be fairly sunny again. Wait 5 minutes and it will change.

[Dee]

Sorry, Dee, I expect I'll be using my canoe before long; it rained pretty heavily last night--see, I told you it would change!

You mean this green eyed rain monster, Bat?

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Photo%20Shoebox%20VI/thegreeneyedrainmonsterDec232007.jpg

I wouldn't have minded if you kept it down in there in Ohio a while longer, I really wouldn't. :o

[marjan]

It was around 10am when I took that photo and it lasted only for a few hours :( it is all gone and temps are rising so no white Xmas in the Netherlands

Noel whenever you are able to make the trip to my country I ensure you I will organize a party for you :D

[hoops]

i just came in from the rain ( yes yes, i know enough tocome in from the rain) coming down in torrents...till i got inside. i Hope like heck it doesn;t freeze tonight.
peace
hoops

[Dee]

Well the wet of it all may not be as bad as I thought. Looking out the window, the parking lot behind my building seems rather dry this morning, thanks to the strong winds that blew all night and are still blowing. And there is still snow, tho the grass is visible in places.

Guess I won't be needing that canoe today after all.

[Bat]

Yep, that was the green eyed monster that had us all wallowing for a while. Cold, clammy and, yesterday, very high winds constantly, gusting to 50mph. Not at all a nice day or night...but today is gorgeous again: sunny and cool.
I don't know what Christmas day will be like, nor do I care, since I plan to go Nowhere and do absolutely Nothing except throw a roast at the oven and open presents and play all day!
Hope your Christmas is bright and warm, full of love and good cheer, everyone!

[Dee]

As it happened, I spent most of today running to and fro doing some last minute shopping. Not that I didn't have my Christmas shopping done days ago, just that a person still needs to eat when the stores are closed, and from now to New Years it will be bargain hunting madness out there.

Although it was breezy all day, the sidewalks were dried by the wind and the sun even came out for a while . . . until a mini blizzard hit mid afternoon. Oy. Is it any wonder I’m discombobulated half the time?

Tonight will be a Christmas Eve meal of leftovers from when Jimmy was here on Saturday, then a nice relaxing evening of DVD watching.

Happy Christmas Eve everyone!

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Holiday%20Clipart/littleangel.jpg