Winter wonderland

[skipper]

This is what I woke up to this morning. Not looking so good for Texas today. From the ERCOT website.

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[MTPaul]

Us folks "up north" are now warming up a bit. It was only -10F this morning and while snow is back in the forecast, nothing fell overnight...thankfully. After having lived in several states over the years and having experienced several major events in years past (hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, floods, prolonged power outages, etc.) I have come to realize sooner or later, doo-doo WILL hit the fan and while sometimes there is some forewarning of these events, often times it comes as a complete surprise. I'm of the mindset that it's better to BE PREPARED (Boy Scout motto) rather than kick myself after the fact.

[Bill K]

Exactly Paul. Reason so many of us in my area, have good snowblowers, plows and good shovels plus a good generator to maintain some power for periods of power company services. "Be prepared and be comfortable. Also a good wood stove for warmth.

[skipper]

The fireplace in my living room has a gas log. Only problem is that the gas valve won't open without electricity.

[Tom Kat]

We are up to 13 degrees, time to crack out the pina coladas and swim suites

[Bill K]

Then a nice fuzzy blanket on the floor and a sun lamp.

[Tom Kat]

Heat wave!

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[skipper]

All is well here in Cypress, TX. No burst pipes, no power outages. Not a cloud in the sky, ducks are quacking, birds chirping. All is well. I have a few less plants now. My hibiscus is completely wilted and laying over, but it might make a reappearance in the spring. Purple fountain grass seems content and my Boston Fern spent the night inside. Agapanthus die every winter but the bulbs sprout each spring.

Everyone else Okay?

[Rick in Oregon]

All seems to be trying to return to 'normal' WX conditions, thankfully.

We went from -12* two nights ago, to 34* overnight last night. A nice warming band is coming in from the Pacific, and is moving east to bail all you guys out of the Arctic Zone soon. Right now we have blessed rain and wind melting almost two feet of snow, so now we'll deal with high water and street flooding with all the slush that makes for 'spirited' driving conditions. No burst pipes or any other tragedies here either, but we're used to the Arctic conditions every year and prepare well in advance. I hope all our forum buddies have fared well in this WX event that should be over soon.

Looks like we're all to be bailed out soon then. Now we can ponder an actual spring warmup, but there's always February...... We won't be warming up any rifle barrels any time soon.

[Bill K]

So far my winter is nothing like last years, with snow mainly. But I have seen some very high snow falls in Feb and even into early March. So there is still plenty of time for good snow to dump yet. But I am hoping for way less than I had last year. Time will tell.

[MTPaul]

So far this year, the snowpack in the areas in SW MT I tend to frequent ranges from a low of 40% to a high of 58% of normal. In those areas of WY where I also visit it ranges from a low of 50% to a high of 74% of normal. Suffice it to say, we are trending below normal across much of the northern Rockies. But as Bill K. mentioned, the typically higher moisture laden snowfalls take place during the late winter, early spring timeframes (Mar-Apr) and all it will take is several back-to-back dumpers and we'll be in good shape going into the forest fire season. No need to panic yet, but time will tell...

[Tom Kat]

We hit 32 for two hours today. Now it will return to the normal $hit show...we should be at like -6 Saturday night....

[WesF]

We warmed up today, a balmy 14* for a high temperature in north central WI. It's back down to zero now & should drop to about -7* by morning. Forecast for the weekend is 30* and rain. If we don't like the weather, just wait a minute, it'll change. I'm glad we have equipment to deal with the snow we get during our winter!

[Tom Kat]

Here we go again-

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[skipper]

Looks like we'll be back in shorts for a few days. Glad I didn't wash the truck.

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