Here in the Midwest we are going to usher in the month of February with a bunch of snow, wind and bitter, bone-chilling cold weather. Brrrrrrrrrrrr
The grocery stores are busy today with everyone preparing for the storm that is coming our way. On the news this morning they said that 60% of the U.S. will be affected by this storm.
Here in Central Illinois they are calling for 12-20 inches of snow!! :o It's been a while (10+ yrs.) since we've had that much snow at one time.
They were also saying on the news that there will be ice in some areas preceding the snow. Ice from 1/4" to 1/2" thick . . . that's the kind that brings down power lines and tree limbs.
I'm as prepared as I can be . . . food, gasoline, medicines . . . now, we wait and see what happens.
Please be safe and careful if you have to venture out in the weather . . if you don't have to be out . . stay home!! Even if you have to use a vacation day off work - I'd take it.
Bucky
Forecast: Eastern Iowa 2-4 inches of snow Monday 31st. 8-12 inches of snow tomorrow, Feb 1st.
Wind expected to drive the chill factor down to single digits or below zero. They are sayint this is the biggest snowstorm we've had this season so far. Chicago area is supposed to be A LOT worse than us.
Long as I got heat in the house, I'll be fine as I'm stocked up. I might have to pay someone to do my driveway as I got the durn stomach virus back again and am just not up to it. If I feel I can go to work, I can catch a ride from a co-worker in another dept who lives a couple blocks away.
BTW: They could close all the schools here due to the weather but work would still make us come in. :( ::)
Gasoline $3.05 gal. ethanol here.
Take care, all you folks in the storm's path. The ice is the worst of it - so damaging.
Genko
Our forecast in southern MI has increased to 12-15 inches :(
Freezing rain/sleet/ice where I'm at.
Y'all in the Midwest, stay safe and warm!
Patze
Man, The TV has been blaring about this storm and it started on Saturday. Well it snowed a little last night and snowed a little off and on all day. They scheduled school 2 hours late at 7 AM and at 8:30 they cancelled all the school in the surrounding area.
It is MN and there still isn't much going on weather wise. I would think that school is cancelled for tomorrow too. I know that the big concern if the high winds. Out here where we are sort of on the prairie it can get bad really fast. I am prepared to bad weather and aways hope and pray that people can make it home or go a safe place.
It can be very scary to be out in the wind with ice, sleet, snow, etc. Very dangerous driving. I think that as many people as possible should just take time off and hunker down. Place it safe. Irish ;D
I'm glad you're prepared, Bucky! ;) Stay home in your toasty warm house, and watch the snow.
Do you mind me asking around what part of central IL you're in? PM if you like. I'm just curious, since my Mom's family is from Ford County, Illinois. She lived in towns like Roberts, Gibson City, and outside of Streator. My 84-yr.-old uncle still lives in Fairbury. I've heard many stories of what winters were like when they were kids, and lived on a large farm.
Everyone stay safe. I'm in SE Kentucky; we have more rain coming and a little snow. Nothing like a lot of places! One of my sons lives in the SE corner of Kansas and they are expecting 10-14 in. of snow and ice beforehand. I hope he stays home from work rather than try the drive if it's horrible. I can suggest that but then, he's 30 and a grown man, and also stubborn. (not at all like his mother) LOL ;D
Take care and be safe!
Melinda
Bucky, stay warm!! Today we had 12 inches of snow here in central Oklahoma! We were off work/school today, and now tomorrow, too. Bitter cold!! I can't get my hands and feet to stay warm and stop tingling!
CAT
Hi everyone,
Tonight the winds are howling - they were just saying on our local news that some areas here are reporting 60 mph winds!!
It's hard to tell how much snow we actually have with all the winds and drifting.
Yep, it's another snow day off school for son tomorrow. Plus . . . my hubby said he is staying home tomorrow. Yay!! He NEVER misses work . . . don't know if it was because I asked him too so it wouldn't stress me out worrying about him in this weather, or because he realizes how bad it really is to travel in this mess. Anyhow, I'm sooooo thankful he's staying home.
Our lights have flickered within the past half hour . . just hoping we don't lose power.
Stay safe everyone . . . we're not outta the woods yet.
Bucky
Hi CAT,
Wow, I heard about all the snow in Oklahoma! A foot is just a bit much! :D ;D My youngest son (he's 30) lives in SE Kansas, about 30 miles east of Joplin, MO and they got about 12-14 inches, too. With all the roads drifting shut it's been pretty amazing.
I lived in Ohio my entire life til 2008. In March '08 we had the worst snow since 2004; 14 inches and winds drifting it 3-4 ft. high. My husband had just lost his job from downsizing, and after that week of snow with everything else we made the decision to move to SE Kentucky where he has lots of family members. We have to laugh just a little because if there's 2-3 inches here, all the schools are closed and some businesses, too.
Hope you are safe and cozy! ;)
Melinda
I've been out Mon/Tues with that stomach virus/flu that is going around. Feel better today but very run down. tired, hungry and sore.
We got a total of 14+ inches of snow here in Eastern Iowa with cities to the SE of us getting 18+ inches. No ice thankfully. They "say" they are getting the snowplows out on the residential roads this morning but I have not seen one yet. When I do they will certainly plow in the end of my driveway making it 2-3 ft + at the end. :(
I tried to go out and get at least my short front walk shoveled but it about did me in. A lady was walking her little dog that got loose and was leading her on a very merry chase so I walked to the end of my driveway enticing it so I could catch it for her. Needless to say, I sank waaaay past my boots in the snow. :'( I was talking to her and her employer also expects her to come in at 10am this morning. No buses running and forget about getting a cab. HaHa. ::) She called and told her employer if he wanted her in at 10am, he needed to come pick her up. YaaaaY for her!!! :) These companies are NUTS! This after the news it telling EVERYONE to stay off the roads. I don't get it?????? We have lots of hwys and roads shut down and forget about any rural roads = drifted shut.
Since I've been out two days anyway, it is still called one "absence as the weekends break em up" so I am just staying home today too and try to get some more strength back and some calories in me. I mght just might try to get the snowblower out but not even sure if I can do that.
Durn I hate missing work. Durn not feeling good and durn the snow!
Stay safe everyone!
Here in WV we only got rain. Today we are having high winds and snow moving in until tomorrow. Not much accumulation expected.
Stay warm and safe all my friends.
Love harlin
Happy Groundhog Day . . . . news is he DIDN'T see his shadow - that means Spring is 6 wks. away!! ;D Come on Spring!!
OK, back to reality . . . snow, snow and more snow!! I don't know how we can even measure how much we've got because of the drifts. Last night before I went to bed the weatherman was saying we had 10" and more was expected overnight. The winds are still howling too, although, I don't think "as bad" as last night.
Thankfully, we didn't lose our power last night - our lights flickered a few times. I got out all the candles, flashlights and lanterns just in case.
Hubbies employer called last night and they are closed today . . . Yay! He wasn't going to go anyhow. ;)
We couldn't get out of our long driveway right now even if we wanted too. We have a friend who is suppose to plow us out "some time" today. Ugh . . . extra expense that we don't need, but we have no choice. With the winds blowing, by tomorrow morning we still might not be able to get out as it will drift back in. Grrrrrrrrrrrr (I live in a rural area with an open field next to our driveway.)
I'm thankful for all the public officials, street crews and utility workers that keep on working when the weather gets bad. They get a lot of flack from some people - but, I bet you wouldn't want to trade jobs with them when it's -10 degrees outside! So, instead of grumbling and complaining about them, give thanks for them - they're doing the best they can under the circumstances.
Everyone - be safe . . . stay home today if you can.
Bucky
Third day no school/work tomorrow! Buses can't get into the neighborhood safely! OKLAHOMA here.
We never did get much out of this last storm front. It was cold up by MN/Canadian border and high wind chills. Around 10 below this morning and it to be around zero or so tomorrow. Very pretty cold day with blue sky today.
It is to snow again next week a couple of times. I just wait until it comes to get excited. Years ago when our boys were in school and working part time jobs, etc the winters were fierce around our area. One week in Dec of 1983 we had 80 mph wind chill. It was the coldest I had ever seen it. When I came out from work one day my tires were literally flat where the rubber hits the road. I drove up slowly to a gas station a block from the nursing home to get the air pressure checked. I hada 13 pounds in one tire. I had a low tire and the air left in the tire had contracted so much from the cold that tire was almost flat.
By the time I had driven home( (very slowly) the 3 miles my tires had quit going thunk, thunk, thunk. I hate to say it but I still like winter. I have always loved the smell of the cold, crisp air and the way the sun shines on the snow. The cold, starry winter nights are also awesome as are the sun dogs in the sky when the sun is shinning on those really , really cold days. Call me sentimental. My hubby calls me crazy. ::) Irish ;D
sun dogs? ???
Irish, My Lady, I'd call you a close friend of Mother Nature! Take it all in as we travel this road called life...one day at a time. EnJOY :D
Hi Bucky,
Sun dogs are bright spots of light in the sky. Beautiful! Try googling to see a picture. ;D
Six to 10 inches expected again here in Oklahoma. WOW...pretty sure I'll be in school/work until June! :-\