Snowpocalpyse 2010

[Etoile]

DC folks, you know who you are...how are you managing with the snow?! We got 20" here (near Fairfax) and I know other areas got more...my mom is in Columbia and she got 34" there!

I'd like to request a minimum of snark from Canadians, Minnesotans, etc - this is DC's 4th largest snowfall by the official count (taken at National Airport), and some areas got more snow than they have since 1772. That's right, this is just about our biggest snowfall in over 200 years! So it's Kind Of A Big Deal for us.

We were very lucky today. I have been unable to help with shoveling because of a sprained shoulder, so my wife has been doing all of it. A few hours ago, the doorbell rang...and it was three day laborers offering to help us. We gave them more than they asked for, we were so grateful!

 

[DVS]

We had the same storm a couple of days ago, but it kind of fizzled out. And even if it hadn't fizzled out, we wouldn't have gotten that much snow.

They say we are suppose to get a major snow storm tonight or tomorrow, but the weather people say a lot of that around here and so we just wait until it actually happens. There was one year when the weather people raised such a fuss about a storm that was coming our way that the whole city sold out of snow shovels. Then, we didn't get much more than a couple inches.

I've always said I would love to be a weatherman. If they're right, they look good. If they're wrong, they just laugh and say the storm went around us or something similar. A lot of the time it just goes south or just north of us.

But, in their defense, it is suppose to be difficult to do weather in this part of the country because we get weather from the west, south, and even sometimes the north. Combinations of those storms can be difficult to judge, I'm sure.

What's coming tomorrow is what was in California. Again, we'll just wait to see if we really get it. Of course, December was a big month here for cold and snow, and January was too...kind of. February is suppose to be more of the same.

So, you have had a lot of snow before in the east. I'm sure your plows are better than ours, too. Was this snow in the forecast or did it just creep up on you?

 

[Etoile]

It was definitely forecast. We had about 5-6" last Tuesday night, and then this snowstorm was Friday-to-Saturday. We're expecting at least 5" more THIS Tuesday night. Add that to the 20"+ from December, and I think we're well on our way to clobbering the 54.4" that is DC's snowiest winter ever (1898-1899).

DC is actually not well equipped for this at all. Our average for the entire winter is usually 17-22". That's the ENTIRE winter, and we've gotten that in 24-48 hours TWICE already! So we're hurting pretty badly here...every jurisdiction has gone WAY over budget for dealing with snowfall.

As for our equipment, I'm not sure - I think when there is this much snow, there's not much they can do!

 

[WriterDom]

We just had a dusting so far this year but it has been very cold all winter. Normally the daffodils would be blooming in February by the end of the month but I don't know about this year. I want to start a garden soon but it keeps freezing every week. Don't really get serious until after Easter but I can do turnip greens and lettuce soon.

 

[intothewoods]

My house is fucking spotless. Mister Man dug out the car. I took a long walk yesterday and today - and it was beautiful out. I'm kind of over it now, but we'll be getting more on Tuesday. This is going to be a long week.

 

[ownedsubgal]

we got about 30" here in Bowie, and with all the wind there are snow drifts much higher than that. Daddy is a perfectionist about such things, so he had me start shoveling in the midst of the storm, friday night. we went out together early yesterday morning, and we have the cleanest car and driest driveway in the entire neighborhood by far. we just came back from the CVS which is just down the street from us, and LOTS of cars in the neighborhood are completely buried in snow. why people leave their cars parked on the street in this weather i have no idea. it's really bad in places where there are cars parked on both sides of the street, making it physically impossible for plowtrucks to come through and hence leaving a huge mess everywhere. people can be soooo stupid.

i'm wondering how long schools will be out, because even 450 (a major road) is a total mess and supposedly there will be more snow on tuesday.

 

[Sweetdaisymae]

Please dont send it over here, we just cant cope with snow, even 10" puts everywhere out of action!
We ran out of grit last time, pls no more!!!

 

[intothewoods]

Mister Man shoveled on Friday too. When I walked around today, most people had dug out their cars and were helping others. Most of the streets have been plowed as well, but it's supposed to freeze tonight. Eek.

 

[00Syd]

I love that for once all of the snow is passing Boston by

 

[sb2009]

This has been horrible for my submission LOL I have been so irritable and have snapped, bitten off heads, told to fuck off, etc my husband for days now. I just can't take all this being cooped up in the house.

I think I owe a few acts of contrition, or probably several. And work for both adults plus school for kids canceled.

 

[stopemocide]

We got a lot of snow in Annapolis. Pretty much everything is closed. Chick and Ruth's was open yesterday though. I still can't get pizza to my dorm.

 

[Etoile]

I have no idea if anything is open or closed here, because I have no way to get anywhere! We haven't been plowed at all, and I can't walk in deep snow, so I'm pretty well stuck here.

We did some shoveling Friday night too, starting early. osg, did your Daddy help you with the snow at all? I think men have an easier time of it than women due to the increased upper body strength. Just a theory though really. Like I said, I haven't done more than 5 minutes of shoveling...my wife yelled at me when I tried to help, because of my injured shoulder.

 

[Netzach]

You'll get no guff from me - deep snow in a metro that's totally unprepared IS a shitstorm. We got quite buried the other day, but the fact that it's a little warmer than normal is nice.

I wonder how H will commute tomorrow...

 

[ownedsubgal]

Etoile, we shoveled together yesterday morning, and for about 30 seconds t. helped too. but friday night during the storm was all me. *flexes sore puny muscles* i am a little faster, but he is much neater and has endless endurance, so he got the bulk of it done for sure.

 

[All_n_GoodFun]

Snowtorious B.I.G

It was definitely forecast. We had about 5-6" last Tuesday night, and then this snowstorm was Friday-to-Saturday. We're expecting at least 5" more THIS Tuesday night. Add that to the 20"+ from December, and I think we're well on our way to clobbering the 54.4" that is DC's snowiest winter ever (1898-1899).

DC is actually not well equipped for this at all. Our average for the entire winter is usually 17-22". That's the ENTIRE winter, and we've gotten that in 24-48 hours TWICE already! So we're hurting pretty badly here...every jurisdiction has gone WAY over budget for dealing with snowfall.

As for our equipment, I'm not sure - I think when there is this much snow, there's not much they can do!

Out here by Dulles we got 32 inches officially and have shoved so much its insane. They said the plows should have the side streets done by Tuesday - just in time for the plow to starting on the next bunch of snow that is on the way.

 

[sb2009]

The only reason our driveway and walkways are passable is because my husband went outside every hour or so and shoveled. It wore him out!!!!! But it was worth it, we can get around. Some of the neighbors were not so industrious and have piles and piles of crap to deal with. Ugh.

 

[Sharpened]

It's pretty brutal. I grew up in Buffalo so I'm used to ridiculous snowfalls but this is up there. I think we got around 32ish inches where I am in MD.

The worst part is the inability to get anywhere. There have been crews working heavily for most of yesterday and all of this morning and there still isn't a drivable path in the area that I'm in. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the main roads are plowed, but it's not particularly helpful when I can't get to them.

I was talking to the people who were clearing my area and they're nervous. It's not digging us out from this, they can do that (although it's obviously taking significant time). But if we get another foot without any time for any of the accumulation from the last storm to melt there will be some interesting challenges.

I remember winters when they had to declare states of emergency in western NY becuase of snowfall for similar reasons. The primary problem was always nowhere to put the snow, and they could get the national guard to come in with dump trucks and litterally haul as much snow as possible out. It wouldn't surprise me if this next storm results in something similar.

I'm also envious as hell about those who have someone to help them with the shoveling. It's hard enough as it is and being out there alone just ads to the unpleasantness.

 

[uptownjoe]

Had 25+" of snow here in Pittsburgh. and they are calling for 6" to 10" more by Wednesday. Are we having fun yet !!!

The only good thing I can see if that the pot holes are filled with ice

Good luck to all

 

[sb2009]

more wednesday? I'm not going to get any fucking hours in at work!!!! and my kids will probably have spring break cancelled!

 

[Noor]

we have been getting snow too, so you must have somewhere else's not ours this time

Minimal enough?

 

[Etoile]

They are saying 10-20" more here by Wednesday night. I have one class on Tuesdays and the professor emailed a few hours ago to cancel it. I'm wondering if the university will even be open - I don't have to go either way, whew.

 

[YourCaptor]

Sunny day, cool breeze, its nice here.

You all want to come visit?

 

[Etoile]

Where's that, YC?

My in-laws are on a cruise, they flew out Friday morning. They were in Aruba today. *sighs*

 

[Earthgoddess]

balto

Baltimore here with over 27 inches, with 12-18 more due Tuesday to Wednesday My children have been thrown out into the snow for hours each day to preserve their lives and my sanity. No plows until late today,all schools shut down until Thursday. Aggghhh and of course everyone is in a panic so all the stores are running out of food? I mean really it's snow not a zombie apocalypse, we all need milk that badly?

 

[Netzach]

Milk eggs and bread, apparently are the things people run on.

It's good to know that in case of zombie attack there will be french toast.