Arctic BLAST hit Pacific NW

[Ross]

Originally Posted by ronaldhanko

We got hit again today with another foot of snow. I've not seen anything like it - we occasionally get a blizzard, but never have we had such along stretch of bad weather. We have a friend who's in the hospital and dying and can't even get there to see him.

That's a real bummer Ron! It really is. I sympathize and offer my prayers for your friend.

My neighbor asked me this morning if I had ever seen another winter like this one (presuming Cadillac, Michigan). I was able to say, yes. In 1977 we had a freak snowfall of over 4 feet overnight. Started Thursday afternoon and went overnight. Friday morning we had 4 feet on the level. It took the city the next 3-4 days to open even the emergency routes! And that was using highway plows in the city and only 2 lanes for emergency traffic. My wife and I used cross-country skis and backpacks (we had just moved here from southern Oregon ) to go to the local grocery store for essentials (like beer )

Don't think this will be the last weird storm season. It hasn't been the first. But as soon as we can get control over the gas-guzzling SUVs and Hum-Vees and learn to curb our demand for fossil-fuel-generated products, we'll be much better off. I'm just glad I still have my gas guzzling snow blower to help with snow removal

[ronaldhanko]

I can't stand this global warming. I'm cold all the time and I have to shovel too much snow!

[quiltergal]

Most of our accumulation from last week has melted, although there was a light dusting of snow on the ground this morning. So it was sort of a white Christmas. There's this big yellow ball up in the sky that is very bright. I can't remember what it's called though.

Ross, did you catch on the news that China is rolling out a totally electric car that will go 60 miles before needing a recharge? They want to market it in the US, and plan to price it at around $22K. I think GM (or one of the others) has one in the pipeline but it won't be ready for another year or so, and they planned to price it at $40K. Want to hazzard a guess as to why they're going under?

[Paul]

My folks' place is a little north of Ross. Actually as far as snowfall goes, I really haven't seen this as unusually excessive -- this is more like the weather I remember having as a kid in TC. We've just gotten used to the wimpy winters we've had the last several years.

While it can be a pain to drive in, its still quite pretty all the same. Here's a few pics:

[Grandma M]

Paul, Thanks for the pictures. Michigan can sure be beautiful with all the snow on the trees...........if you are inside looking out.

Marilyn

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Grandma M

if you are inside looking out.

Marilyn

And have someplace to put the snow! I've lived here since 1977 and this is the worst year, on average, in all that time - at least for Cadillac. We had one snowfall in 1977 that dropped 4 feet overnight, but nothing like that since then (until now.) I know north of us they get a steady snowfall that mostly exceeds ours, but for an urban area where the city has quit clearing sidewalks this early, that's an omen in my mind. Thanks for the pics Paul, but if that were all the snow I had, I wouldn't be in such a tizzy. I'll call the roof guy for round 2 tomorrow!

[Shirley]

Great snow photos, Paul!

[mollycart1]

Our snow is completely gone and this snow broke the record for "December snow falls." What a nightmare!

I was supposed to take this coming week off, however, I ended up taking last week off since I could not get out of the house to work. I have a MINI Cooper with run flat tires. The car became useless. When I contacted the dealer to inquire the tire chains, I was told NOT to put tire chains on those run flat tires.

Seriously, I have never felt that going back to work sounds exciting.

Ross, how is going there? I heard MidWest is having flood issues. I hope you are OK.

What is 'global warming'?

[Paul]

Originally Posted by mollycart1

I have a MINI Cooper with run flat tires. The car became useless. When I contacted the dealer to inquire the tire chains, I was told NOT to put tire chains on those run flat tires.

Most areas of Michigan, one is not allowed to have chains on the tires -- does too much damage to the roads is my understanding.

Originally Posted by mollycart1

I have a MINI Cooper with run flat tires. The car became useless. When I contacted the dealer to inquire the tire chains, I was told NOT to put tire chains on those run flat tires.

Can't speak for Ross, but haven't heard of any flooding problems here north of him. What was an issue was the high winds that hit two nights ago. I understand much of the Detroit area lost power due to downed lines.