Blizzard of 2016 - What to do? New post 84!

[Gamecock]

It doesn't have to be snowing for a storm like this to shut down a city. All over this region, schools and businesses and government offices are closing early, so the roads will be clear when the snow starts falling in about 3 hours. There is no doubt about what's coming, no false alarm from the weatherman; it's best for folks to be off the roads and safely inside their homes, so the snow removal crews can do their jobs.

It's the threat - not the storm. The storm hasn't started.

 

[Beemerguy53]

Please keep us/me advised, we were supposed to head down to NC on Saturday but postponed until Monday, hoping the roads, or at least 95 are clear by the afternoon.

The snow is supposed to stop falling on Sunday morning. Snowplows and salt trucks are in place right now, and will be working throughout the storm to keep roads passable. The Maryland National Guard has also been activated to help in whatever way they can. I suspect by Monday afternoon you should be able to drive through Maryland on I-95 with no problems.

Fyi, Maryland's government has a great website you can use to check traffic conditions here. There are links there to current weather conditions, live traffic cameras around the state, and to the speed sensors in the roadways, which will tell you how fast traffic is moving. The traffic cameras are just great, very informative real-time information. You can access that website at CHART - Coordinated Highways Action Response Team

While driving, you can call 511 in Maryland to access automated information on traffic conditions. (New Jersey and New York use the same system and technology.)

You can also listen online to WBAL radio (1090 AM), Baltimore's premier news station. They do traffic reports every 10 minutes, and they will be broadcasting non-stop about this starting at 3 PM today. Here's their link: Baltimore News | Baltimore Weather, Traffic | WBAL Radio 1090 AM

I'll also keep you posted...wish us luck!

 

[Beemerguy53]

It's the threat - not the storm. The storm hasn't started.

Semantics. It's not a "threat"...it's a certainty. The darned thing is coming and will be here within hours, dumping a huge amount of snow on this whole megalopolis. What would you have schools, offices, and businesses do? Wait until folks can't drive home before they close for the day? Geez...

 

[jackvs1]

It is here folks - thanks for all the tips on what to do. I remember the last storm of this magnitude; it shut down the gov't for 5 business days. I know many will have their opinion on that alone. So I bypassed the bread and milk; have plenty of food. Here is what I stocked up on as I recently joined a bourbon exchange group on FB.

 

[Bat Guano]

Well, out here we had a skiff of snow the other day. The wife had no problem brooming it off the driveway. The rinky dink electric snowblower was out only once so far this winter; and it's 50 and sunny out today.

It's hell out here in flyover country. (Snicker, snort.)

 

[Watchdog]

Well. Not that it really matters, but so far here in my part of the state, The Big Storm has been way overhyped. Sure, we have snow and ice. Sure, the usual number of drivers have run their cars off the roads and into ditches and other cars.

All the Weather Goo-Roos seem to be on some seriously high octane amphetamines, and even the mayor of our fair city came on TV to inform us that "walking is treacherous". She was waving her hands around as she said this, too. Wish I'd known that earlier and I wouldn't have taken the dogs on our usual three-mile hike through the nature preserve this morning. I suppose we are all lucky to have survived.

I'm now getting ready to take my life in my hands once again as I prepare for this afternoon's hike. The dogs are quivering with anticipation. All it takes is the magic words, "Where's your collars?" I reckon I'll never learn.

 

[ChuckS1]

save your money.....real bourbon is made in Kentucky..

So is Bowman. The first and second distillations are done at the Buffalo Trace distillery in Kentucky and then the last in Fredericksburg. Owned by Sazerac, like just about every other distillery nowadays.

Oh, and to keep on topic, almost 3" on my deck now. Started snowing at 12:30.

 

[Watchdog]

In hurricane prep they say the item that is most often bought is Pop Tarts !!
Surprised no one has mentioned them !!

Pop Tarts with a scoop of ice cream on top! Yum-m-m. You can feel your arteries harden with each bite.

 

[g-dad]

polar bear club

So on Friday and Saturday, here in the Washington DC area we are already under a blizzard watch. Living in Northern Virginia, just outside of DC if we get the 24" of snow we will be shut down as I do not expect to see a snow plow until Sunday. I had plans to go to a local gun show in Manassas and stop at the Abraham Bowman Distillery to pick up some bourbon. Besides shoveling what would you do? It's me, wife and 16 year old daughter.

Make chili, clean firearms, drink, ??????

No, none of that. Let's have a POOL PARTY!!!!

 

[therewolf]

Go to the local grocery store in panic mode and buy all the water, bread and canned goods they have. You will need at least 6 months worth for the 2-3 days you will be unable to go back.

Yeah, Supermarket store owners LOVE snow. They sell a couple

weeks worth of food in two hours...

 

[WuzzFuzz]

Go and stand outside, with a piece of paper in one hand, and something that looks like a microphone up to your mouth and pretend you're a news caster.


WuzzFuzz

 

[jackvs1]

15 inches and still going strong. Somethings not right here - I am on this forum and my wife and daughter are out shoveling. Love it

 

[MasterTech1960]

We are pushing 2 feet of the fluffy white stuff and it is still coming down hard and fast. News said we may still get another foot. We are setting in the middle of the "sweet" spot of this storm. Lucky I guess ... Not.

 

[Bill Bates]

It is weather, you can't change it so you might as well enjoy it and have fun.

I say embrace your inner child. Remember when you were ten or twelve; this would be a time to play, build a snow fort and throw snowballs at the neighbors. Build a snowman. Get good and cold then come in and make hot chocolate or better hot cider with a little cinnamon and whiskey.

For sure grab a camera and take some photos to share.

Storms past

 

[BAM-BAM]

Looks like it's just about over here in the "northern burbs of the Burgh".

Last night fire in the fireplace an a good single malt..... and book.

This am ...... fire in the fireplace and mug of coffee

This afternoon ...... snowblower .....followed by a fire in the fireplace and a large single malt...... follow by a pot of homemade three meat/2bean chile......

 

[Watchdog]

It is weather, you can't change it so you might as well enjoy it and have fun.

Can't hit the "Like" button enough for this post.

 

[jackvs1]

Bill Bates - beautiful photo's. Just finished round two of shoveling, boy does this bite the big one.

 

[OFT II]

It sounds like it's time for some homemade snow ice cream. I haven't had any in years.

 

[snubbyfan]

Yeah, Supermarket store owners LOVE snow. They sell a couple

weeks worth of food in two hours...

Back when I sold Toyota Parts, I'd tell people that snow flakes were little dollar signs.
After every snow the body shops'd start ordering replacement body panels.

 

[snubbyfan]

We got a good coupla feet out there.
I took this picture at 10am.


Tomorrow we're gonna go out and dig the truck out.