Posted on 02/01/2011 8:19:01 AM PST by SeekAndFind
A potentially deadly winter storm is making its way eastward across at least one-third of the country this morning, bringing with it a combination of heavy snow, ice and freezing temperatures.
In what could be the worst snowstorm the country has seen in more than 40 years, more than a foot of snow may fall on a 2,100-mile stretch from New Mexico to Maine, weather forecasters said.
Blizzard warnings are in effect for nine states with the storm expected to significantly affect Oklahoma City, Kansas City, St. Louis, Detroit, Des Moines, Iowa, Chicago and Milwaukee, Wis.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate said the snowstorm will pack a powerful punch and warned residents to be prepared.
"This is not something that's sneaking up on us," he said. "It's been well-forecasted. We know it's going to be bad … prepare like it's bad."
This winter weather comes on the heels of an upper-level storm system, according to the National Weather Service.
Besides snow, rain will create icy conditions in southern Missouri, central Illinois, Indianapolis, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pa.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
Yep. I’m feeling some that global warming, or climate change, here in Albuquerque. Schools are closed, ice on the roads. Cold day all around.
Flyover country is routinely ignored except for dramatic tornado footage. I’m in the Tulsa OK vicinity and this storm is likely going to result in a new record snowfall amount. We are also experiencing wind gusts up to 40mph causing drifts and whiteouts. Traffic is at a standstill, including emergency services. State troopers are resorting to driving their personal 4WD vehicles in order to get around to stranded motorists and the National Guard is assisting by moving them to shelters.
Dallas has about the same, an inch or so of glaze on all the streets. The local weather babe was showing one of the big highways and saying “this is not a still shot y’all, this is live streaming video of I-35.” From that one pic you could see a couple dozen semi trucks all splayed around, looked like somebody dropped a box full of toy trucks and kicked them around with their foot.
What is amazing is two days ago it was 70F and I didn’t think there was any way the sleet would freeze and glaze over like it did, but currently it is 18F with 40mph gusts. To quote Spiccolli “Gnarly!”
We have an inch of crunchy stuff as well, waiting on the snow. Nice day to head to the dragstrip!
On a certain this almost makes sense. I watched that Joe Bastardi video with him showing a warmer area of air to the north, like up in Canada, and a patch of VERY cold air over the US. Seems like if it was warm where the ice is the air would load with moisture and when it contacted the cold area it would snow like crazy.
What I can't sort out is I've read stories saying the Arctic ice is way low and others saying it is way up. I don't know how to get to the truth about that. I think the CO2 scam is total BS, it is a tiny part of our atmosphere whereas water vapor is a powerful GHG, but you don't get that from the media. All you hear is it is our fault.
I think a little warming could be a good thing. The Vikings used to farm in Greenland and people used to grow grapes in England. The climate on this planet has never been stable, it has always cycled between warmer and cooler.
Either way, who cares? What happens to this planet is out of our hands except on a very limited scale. Yeah, we could do a better job of not poisoning things, but the climate is controlled by the sun in a big way and we can't do anything about that.
In what sense? Area covered, I guess? Certainly not in terms of total snowfall depth, cold, ice, wind, duration or any of the other things that can define worst storm in a paricular location.
Don’t worry about a thing. With union snow plow operators you will hardly notice.
Blizzard conditions here in western CO, anybody have any photos?
Travel warning
The federal government has issued a travel warning due to the cold weather.
They suggest that anyone traveling in the current blizzard conditions
should make sure they carry the following:
- Shovel
- Blankets or sleeping bag
- Extra clothing including hat and gloves
- 24 hours worth of food
- De-icer
- Rock salt
- Flashlight with spare batteries
- Road flares or reflective triangles
- Full spare gas can
- First aid kit
- Booster cables
I looked like an idiot on the bus this morning.
LOL
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.