BS: Is it snowing where you live?

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 02:33 AM

We got our first snow of the the year tonight, here in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. The weather bureau predicts we'll be snowed in by morning. It's very pretty just now, with maybe an inch on the ground.

I remember a time when I thought it NEVER snowed in California - but when I first moved here permanently in 1973, we had to take the train because the highways were closed by snow. I had been stationed in Monterey in 1971 in the Army, but didn't experience California snow until 1973. I'm chicken when it comes to driving in the snow - there are steep drops off the roads around here in the foothills, even steeper than in the High Sierra. I could roll a hundred feet downhill off our driveway if I slipped off the roadway.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Midchuck
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 07:21 AM

I remember a time when I thought it NEVER snowed in California - but when I first moved here permanently in 1973, we had to take the train because the highways were closed by snow.

Lyrics to "California Snow" (Tom Russell & Dave Alvin, I think) follow:

Peter.



I'm just tryin' to make a livin'
I'm an old man at thirty-nine
With two kids and an ex-wife
Who moved up to Riverside
I'm agent on the border
Drivin' back roads every night
Mountains east of El Cajon
North of the Tecate line.

Where the California summer sun
Will burn right through your soul
But in the winter you can freeze to death
In the California snow.

I catch the ones I'm able to
And watch the others slip away
I know some by their faces
And I even know some by name
I guess they think that we're all
Movie stars and millionaires
I guess that they still believe
That dreams come true up here.

But I guess the weather's warmer down in Mexico
And no one ever tells them 'bout the California snow.

Last winter I found a man and wife
Just about daybreak
Layin' in a frozen ditch
South of the interstate
I wrapped 'em both in blankets
But she'd already died
The next day we sent him back alone
Across the borderline.

I don't know where they came from
Or where they planned to go
But he carried body her all night long
Through the California snow.

Sometimes when I'm alone out here
I get to thinkin' about my life
Maybe I should go to Riverside
And try to fix things with my wife
Or maybe just get in my truck
And drive as far as I can go
Away from all the ghosts that haunt
The California snow.

Where the California summer sun
Can burn right to your soul
And in the winter you can freeze to death
In the California snow.

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Amos
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 10:37 AM

That is one strong song, PEter. Thanks for the frisson.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 10:43 AM

That weather's rolling into Arizona, now. There are blizzard warnings for the northern part of the state -- 2 feet of snow predicted for elevations over 6000', and wind gusts to 50mph. There will be snow visible on the mountains above us here for sure, rain in town, temp not to get out of the 50s today in Tucson.

~ Becky in Tucson (very southern Arizona)
happy to have different weather -- November was a record warm one.

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Alice
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 11:13 AM

Skiff of snow, but the below zero temps are the bad part.
Last night the cold water pipe to the kitchen faucet froze - the first time in over 22 years of owning this house that I've had a frozen pipe, although I had a frozen drain from that sink last winter. Thankfully today it was not bad enough to break, just an easy fix by opening the cupboard and setting a heater nearby. I'm not looking forward to driving over the continental divide to Butte today. Dangerous cold.

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 11:25 AM

Oh, it's gorgeous this morning - and we're snowed in. No way I'm going to drive a mountain driveway with 8 inches of snow. My stepson is desperate to get to college today because he doesn't want to miss a calculus quiz. We told him he can walk to the freeway and hitchhike.

I remember times when I was stuck in snow and my boss in San Francisco was threatening me with hellfire and damnation if I didn't get to work. I ignored him, and wiser minds above him prevailed. Sure is nice not to have obligations, to be able to stay home and enjoy it instead of fighting it.

Whoo-eee, ride me high - Joe ain't goin' nowhere!
(but I'm sorry for my angry stepson. Now he's cursing the telephone, pacing back and forth, and detracting from the peaceful beauty of the snow. Oh, well.)
-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: open mike
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 02:15 PM

Yesterday I drove up into the mountains to gather greenery for wreaths. I had to go a long ways before i found living trees...
the fire from last year wiped out 60,000 acres of forest around here.

I make wreaths with grape vines from my garden...
some of them survived the fire and put out new growth this year.

then i tuck bay laurel leaves in with sprigs of red Toyon berries.

I found some huge sugar pine cones and some fragrant fir boughs
and as i was returning the snow was starting...a great way to
celebrate winter.

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: gnu
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 02:43 PM

The sticky stuff we got is still stuck as it stayed coald today. But, we have rain coming in by Thrusday.

Joe. I used to work at a Crown Corporation and my ex worked Directly for the Federal gov't. She would call me when they got word to go home during a storm. I would start to get ready to leave and say the rest of them were nuts to stay in such a bad storm and to dock my pay if they felt I should stay. Of course, before I would leave the building, the order to evacuate would be given.

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: ClaireBear
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 03:03 PM

There was snow falling at the summit as I drove from Scotts Valley to San Jose this morning -- just an occasional flake, a light dusting on the landscape, and white mountain icing on all the trees, and no snow or ice on the road yet: just enough to be gorgeous without being the least bit treacherous. I feel so blessed!

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 07:03 PM

Finally! We have a skiff of light snow in the Banana Belt of Colorado. All around us, in the mountains, there is plenty coming down and, of course, they've had lots more before this. I love the way it damps down sound...it is a beautiful hush which brings sounds of nature more clearly than over the rush of a regular day. I don't think we'll get much, but it sure is pretty.

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Amos
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 07:11 PM

We have lukewarm water falling down on us, like yesterday's shower. Is this the snow of which you write each year? I am told the shower will be over soon and I can get into my tee shirt again. This sweater is itchy.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: gnu
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 07:29 PM

Amos.... you know!

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 08:48 PM

Don't believe him -- rain on a day with a high of 59 is not "lukewarm".

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: maire-aine
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 10:04 PM

We had our first flurries this morning (just north of Detroit MI), but it stopped by mid-day. Real wet snow/rain in the forecast for Wednesday and beyond.

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Amos
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 10:24 PM

Well, that water went away, and it is pleasant out again, although only the moon is shining. The grass here is green and very happy for that lukewarm shower.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 11:15 PM

D'ja hear that? Detroit's first snow came today and was just flurries. Here in the California Sierra Nevada Foothills, we measured 10 inches.
Sure was pretty.
-Joe, born in Detroit-

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: open mike
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 12:59 AM

i went to the woods today to gather fire wood...and got snowed on..
made the getting of the wood that much more imperitive!
warms you once, when you put it in the truck and once more when you unload it and once more in the stove...

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 04:52 AM

We've been getting dire forecasts for about a week now, consistently indicating that "disabling snow and freezing rain" will hit within 24 hours. Thus far, 24 hours have passed about 4 times (4 days in a row) with only a light dusting of snow lasting a half hour or so this evening - with no visible remnant an hour after it faded.

About 50 to 70 miles north of us however, they have had 5 to 7 inches of snow, with some traffic difficulties on the interstate. Around 70 miles to the south there are reports of significant amounts of freezing rain. And the Interstate (I35) that clips the southeast edge of town has had "poor travel conditions" east by northeast of here for about the past two or three days.

The evening news tonight (well, yesterday) predicts some freezing rain on the streets for the morning commute; but I expect to sleep through it.

We've had daily high temps of around 45F (7C) or a little above until Sunday, but it has been dropping and today's topped off at about 25F (-4C), low around 12F (-11C), and the radar and satellite views look like it may continue colder, enough to cause some deterioration in travel (and other outdoor) activities in the next few days. The cold front that's reportedly headed our direction seems to be losing most of it's moisture so it's unlikely we'll get a decent snow, at least for a week or so; but there's a good probability of some intermittent icing.

I plan to stay indoors for a while, until things are a little more stable. (Cold weather doesn't agree with my mature body functions like it did when I was child of 50 or so.)

John

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 04:26 PM

No snow in the apple, but we had some Saturday. Sposed to rain tomorrow. It's cold, ice on the steps for two days; and reports say getting colder

I hate winter.

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: gnu
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 04:51 PM

Our forecast was changed at between 11AM and 4PM, but only slightly, from 2 to 4cm of snow tomorrow night to... Snow at times heavy beginning early in the evening changing to ice pellets then to periods of rain after midnight. Snow and ice pellet amount 15 to 25 cm. Rainfall amount 5 mm. Blowing snow in the evening. Wind southeast 20 km/h increasing to 40 gusting to 70 in the evening then becoming southwest 30 overnight. Temperature rising to 8 by morning.

They are a bunch of kidders! Hahahaha... hehehehee... hee.. wha?

Amos... go mow the lawn.

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Rowan
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 06:01 PM

Sorry to rain on your snow parades, folks, but here in our version of the New England it's sunny and hot. My tank could do with some of your wet. But camping by Nariel's trout stream with warm nights and warmer days will remind me of y'all.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 07:05 PM

The update for US Weather Today isn't pretty.

Locally, we're still not seeing much except a light dusting of snow and patchy light ice. Air temps right at freezing, so problems are only on isolated sheltered areas and bridges.

Across the US though, it looks like it's not a good day for a drive in the country. The misery is 3,000 miles wide and 1,500 deep.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: gnu
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 07:20 PM

We are wider and deeper and north of you. Maybe WE should take a drive south.

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 07:27 PM

I'll be darned if we didn't get more than that skiff! The valley actually has about 6-8 inches AND, most unusually, there was wind with it, so we've got drifts which remind me of Wyoming, some of them are 3-4 feet, piled up against any object in its path. It really is beautiful, but treacherous for driving, esp. for transplants from AmosLand:-) who don't know how to drive in it. Supposed to get more tonight. Amazing.

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 07:52 PM

we're expecting lots of rain in Maryland the next 24 hrs, then some of that very cold weather...

(*grin*...must 'prove' that global warming is a fake, huh?)

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Amos
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 11:15 PM

The terrible rains have passed, gnu, during which I was driven to extremes. I turned off the sprinklers!! Can you believe it??

The outside temperature is winter at its most deadly--a mere 59 degrees.

Tomorrow will be better. I am almost to the point of mkaing a fire just to maintain my home bonhomie. Burning wood!! Imagine!!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Alice
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 11:34 PM

-18 below zero right now
too cold to snow

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Janie
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 11:42 PM

Alice, I am not nearly such a gentle soul as you.




Even so, I would not want your winter weather.

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: maire-aine
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 12:19 AM

Well, we got snow in Detroit now. Went to the session up the road ('bout 5 miles) and there was about 1 inch on the ground when I came out, just before midnight. It was a little slippery driving home, but not too bad. These were big, fat, fluffy flakes that make for good packin' snow. But it's supposed to turn to rain in the morning, making for lots of slush.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Alice
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 11:18 AM

I was out driving around town calling on customers yesterday in the below zero weather. It really slows things down and makes it harder to be productive. Right now I'm doing paperwork and phone work to stay inside this morning until it warms up a bit more to possibly a high of 3 degrees. The big prong on my 3 prong plug for the headbolt heater on the car is bent and I could not bend it back in place to plug it in. The car has been able to start, but the hotel wall where I'm parked has outlets if I could plug it in.

Believe me, if I could afford it, I'd be down in San Diego in Upstart Crow, drinking coffee and buying books, and looking at the ocean.

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 11:37 AM

Poor Amos, I do feel for you!

Snowing big time here in Maine.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: ranger1
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 12:00 PM

Charlie, you are being too kind to Amos. I can think of other things to say to him...

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: frogprince
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 12:07 PM

Right now we have just enough to whiten up the grass good; it only shows on the shady spots of the blacktop driveway. We have more substantial stuff predicted by tonight.

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 12:10 PM

It difficult to illustrate, in photos, the depth of the snow when the dog won't stand still for contrast, but here are a FEW which kind of show how much we've got in the valley...MOST unusual amount! I like our house "guardian's" coif.:-)

It is sunny, cold, though not as cold as where Alice is, supposed to get to the teens, but it will be i below tonight, which is unheard of down here! There is still wind, too, which does make it feel much colder.

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Jeri
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 12:12 PM

Yesterday, the guys across the street who hang out at the guy cave were putting plow blades on trucks. Today, they're using them. Last week, people were running outside in shorts. I'm not going to make it to the gym today, but I will put my tall rubber garden boots on and sally forth to find my snow shovel where I left it last Saturday, at the bottom of my porch steps. Then, I'll get my upper body workout and some cardio in.

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Amos
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 01:12 PM

HEy, guys, don't be hard on me. You need me for hope!!! :D



A

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 01:30 PM

Calgary should be two cities.
The north part of town is unprotected from the strong winds that come from the west and down the Bow Valley. Three days ago they got a big blow with snow and some drifts are up to six feet. Cars buried, and streets blocked, a mostly residential area.

The south part of town is protected by some low hills and is a little south of the main wind tunnel from the west. Only about 3 inches of snow and strong wind but not the 100 kilometer blow on the north side of town. No real problems.

The city had to concentrate on major throughways, so the north-siders had to wait 2-3 days to get the streets in their neighborhoods passable; the air was warmed by their cussing.

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: gnu
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 03:23 PM

The next one has not started but I wish it would... seems like the longer it takes to get here (within a few hours) the more snow it's gonna have. The forecast started with a hopeful 4"... now we are at 10". SNOW DAMMIT!

Great lakes Canucks got smacked eh? I heard 800mm... er 80cm... over 30".

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 03:58 PM

We got mostly rain, gnu. A slushy mess. But better than a few feet of snow.

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Jeri
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 04:27 PM

The 6-8" predicted was a bit more than 12, and as I shoveled, it got meltier and heavier. I got my workout anyway. Now it's just sloppy wet snow that will freeze overnight.

I'm not a big tourist, but right now a beach and a bucket of margaritas doesn't sound too bad, and IT'S NOT EVEN WINTER YET!

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Amos
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 04:41 PM

Jeri:

You got a pied-a-terre about five minutes from La Jolla Shores.

C'mon down any time. :D


A

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 04:48 PM

Well, we got our 8 to 10 inches of snow followed by sleet but we're all plowed out and ready for the next storm.

Jeri-

"A bucket of margaritas" sounds just like what Judy would like to work on as well. She went into work as usual but they closed the State offices at noon and she was able to make it home in no more than twice the usual time. I then chewed her out for parking her car face-in at our parking lot; it's a lot easier to blast out face-out when the plow truck comes.

Charley Noble in Maine

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: gnu
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 05:03 PM

Amos... they're dressed in black suits of some kind. To prevent skin cancer from so much sunlight? Do you have to wear that all the time? PJs too?

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: maeve
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 05:22 PM

We have somewhere between 8-12 inches of heavy wet stuff with more falling as it switches over to sleet and driving wind. My wrist does not approve of me shoveling out the driveway by myself.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: gnu
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 06:31 PM

What's up with the tractor, m?

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 08:41 PM

gnu-

The black wet suits are to protect the swimmers from the killer jellyfish, not to mention the industrial pollution.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: frogprince
Date: 09 Dec 09 - 08:45 PM

Not much snow yet, but the freezing wind out there is EVIL tonight.

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 10:06 AM

Evidently I spoke too soon about the impact of the storm here. I just got a call from my mother who lives in her farm house on the coast and one of her massive chestnut trees came down last night smashing two big holes in the roof of her house.

We've got calls in with the power company, the tree surgeons, and the roofers. I'm heading down to photograph the damage. Sounds like a real mess but at least it's no longer raining.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: maeve
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 10:38 AM

Gnu- Tractor is TL's. Neither my hurt wrists nor my one 15 minute turn at driving it are sufficient for safely using the tractor to plow. Shoveling is temporarily crippling, but I won't run the shovel into the house or a greenhouse. :>)

Finished digging out the mailbox. Sprinkled ashes. Sun is warm and wind is calm for now. Getting cold this week; better haul more wood. Wonder why I am tired.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Is it snowing where you live?
From: maeve
Date: 10 Dec 09 - 10:52 AM

Charlie- I meant to ask if your mom is safe. Need any help? She is a treasure.

maeve