February 24, 2010
Storm of the Century of the Week Watch - "JUUUUST A Bit Outside!" Division
The same storm that brought a gentle snowfall across Texas on Tuesday will reach the Northeast in the form of an atmospheric monster with damaging winds, blinding snow, torrential rain, huge waves and flooding.In the hardest-hit areas, it will seem more like a "snowacane," as a mere blizzard may not adequately describe conditions of this soon-to-be powerful Nor'easter.
Wind
Wind gusts can reach 70 mph in some areas, just shy of hurricane force. Many locations in the mid-Atlantic and New England will endure gusts topping 50 mph at some point Thursday to Friday.
Winds of this strength will down trees and power lines. Expect flying debris ranging from trash cans to shingles. Significant property damage can occur.
Good luck with that, New England! Fortunately, they're only calling for 1-3 inches and a few gusts down Dee Cee way this time.
I, for one, am heartily glad, as I'm pretty sick and tired of all the snow.
As it happens, I'll be traveling out to the Desert Southwest on biznay next week. Think I'm going to enjoy a few days of sunny, 70 degree weather? Oh, you betcha!
OK, I'm sitting here in NW Vermont with about 2 feet of mashed potatoes on the ground. It took me an extra 30 minutes to get to work this AM only because on 2-lane roads my speed is capped by the flatlander transplant who thinks the first flake is a reason to drive 25 MPH on a properly-sanded road. Once I got to the Interstate I made my way to the passing lane and "convinced" a couple dozen cars to move over in the 26 mile Interstate portion of my daily trek.
Seriously folks, this is Vermont. It snows. Often. And hard. I've lived here for 46 years. If you are so scared of the roads that you can't exceed 25 MPH then why the frack are you on the roads in the first place? Stay home and let us natives move about our daily business at a proper speed. And for Crom's sake stay the hell out of the passing lane on the Interstate. If I had a rocket launcher there would have been a dozen or so burning wrecks on I-89 this AM. Do what us locals do. Buy a Subaru, put on quality snow tires, and travel at 50-55 MPH instead of clinging to the steering wheel with the white-knuckle twin-teated grip of death at 25 MPH.
[/rant]
OK, I feel better now.
Posted by: Captain Ned at February 24, 2010 10:42 PMAnd particularly on hills. You can't get all namby pamby on hills.
Grew up in VT and only had one snow day- it was an all out blizzard.
Posted by: Sarah G. at February 25, 2010 10:37 AMAh, Subarus -- also loved by Pacific Northwesterners, for much the same reason.
Posted by: B.B. at February 26, 2010 01:04 AM
Image courtesy of the lovely and talented 