Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Blizzard of 2011

This is suppose to be one for the record books. We are expected to get 24" plus of snow with winds up to 35mph. Blizzard warning for tonight and tomorrow.

To anyone in it's path; be careful and be prepared.

Hey Rick I hear ya, I think us just a little West of you dodged most of the bullit. The Ice missed us to the south (Missouri), and our original 10-12" is now down to 6-7". I like lower numbers. Well dude, if I was closer I'd bring my Deere snow blower and help an Axiom buddy out. Stay safe.

Just got a thin layer of ice here. Will see if anything more comes, but it is supposed to get above freezing so it'll just be rain.

Careful up there Rick and make sure to keep the generator at bay.

Same thin layer of ice here. Almost fell on my ass twice walking to my car this morning. The 8-mile drive to work was fine, though.

That would be a long fall.

I walk to work, so that was a little tricky. Especially because they wanted me to bring my SLR camera and MacBook (the MacBook so it can be sold, the camera to take pictures of it).

Everyone stay safe and warm, ok?

Long fall, indeed.

Record snowfalls coming down in Oklahoma. 15 inches already reported in some areas with plenty more to come. Previous record for the state was 12.9 inches

Will do, thanks Ken!

I'm itching to go out and play but my wife won't let me leave. Im fairly confident that my jeep can get around in this stuff and I'd i love to do some sledding!

You, Rick? You can just go sit outside in your underwear for all I care.

Not too bad here in KC Missouri. The street in front of my house was a sheet of ice yesterday on the way home. I'm taking today off, will probably study Java for a bit. A new requirement at work. I think this is the 3rd time the company has pushed us to learn Java. We usually do, then they change their minds again. Hopefully not this time.

And to think, Oklahoma temps were in the high 70s last week.

You think that's strange Peter, look at our unpredictable weather...

Just got in from cleaning the snow off the drive and side walk, plus an area for the dog. We had a few inches of snow last night so I figured might as well take care of that before we get the rest of the crap.

Hasn't hit Southern Ontario yet, but they say it's on it's way.

Just spent an hour clearing 8" off the driveway with the John Deere. Expecting another 10" - 16" and blizzard conditions.

I think I'm heading outta here in about an hour. It's starting to look kinda nasty already. I don't think I wanna sell any auto insurance today anyway...just so people can smash up their cars right away.

Drive carefully, Mary!

It looks like now's the time to go Mary. WQAD's snow stick.

I feel badly for you all today. English Bay, Vancouver.

1" of ice on the roads here already, another 1" coming tonight.

Be safe down there my friend. We got hit pretty good last night and now the winds are howling away. Supposed to get more snow along with heavy winds tonight and tomorrow.

Sure glad to have a snow blower!

Oh yeah, the Toro is nice but I hope it's not to much for it to handle.

Finally stopped snowing here.

Looks like you might need a snow plow equipped Mack truck there Ricky, stay safe.
__________

David my uncle lives in Skiatook and he emailed a few pictures of the snow falling earlier today ... not where I would like to be although the picture you posted actually looks quite serene.

Cold as a mofo, but serene nonetheless.

It's insane out there. I've been through 33 winters in my life, and I've never seen anything like this. Absolutely nuts out there.

I know our NWS office was saying that the predicted snowfall rates would likely exceed 100+ year-old records in our area.

Just got home, pretty bad out there, but the bad part was dodging gals in pacifica's that think that with AWD they can rule the road. At least I was nice enough to pull one of them out of the ditch, she was pretty embarassed since she tried to pass me in my Silverado Z71 equiped with plow.

She tried to pass you?!?! And ended up in the ditch? Hilarious.

Thanks for the pic, David. That's awesome!

So, did you plow her?

::runs away embarrassed to have hit this low on the forums::

Damn.

My post would have been funnier if I typed it four seconds faster.

Well, it was RIGHT THERE. I don't blame you.

I have a friend in Texas who updated her Facebook status with a comment about how lame Texas drivers are on ice, and they should get AWD.

At least here, where we're used to getting a few icy roads a season, and (most) drivers know that AWD on ice just means now you have all four wheels spinning.

Still just rain here, thankfully.

Good think I bought extra cat food. I suspect I'll die from starvation before the city of KC gets my street cleared off.

Wow David, that's scary. Just got back in from cleaning up some more snow. By the time I got done it was as bad as I started. It's a lost cause for now.

The beginning of January I visited my dad in Dallas and just by happenstance I was driving the two of us from Oklahoma after visiting my sister whenever we ran into snow and ice for 85 miles of the trip back to Dallas, we saw at least 20 or so cars in the ditches along the way, crazy. That was the first time I had driven in ice and snow in years and years and although it was a very nerving experience for me I concluded that those folks in the ditches had to have been all of the people driving that with no common sense whatsoever.

Yeah, we were up in Oregon around Thanksgiving, and we were gingerly making our way down the icy main drag in town in our (2wd) Volvo wagon with old tires. We saw a big ol' 4wd pickup at the light ahead of us. Dude gunned it, and proceeded to slide sideways, all 4 wheels spinning to the next stoplight. Idiot. Luckily, he didn't hit anyone, and mysteriously, he did apparently travel in the direction he intended to.

Everybody stay safe out there!!!

Out here in Arizona it's um. . .windy, and I had to wear a light jacket.

I only say that in jest. I know how potentially dangerous the snowy and icy conditions are for those that live in it. Having grown up in Southern California, I've never really had to deal with that kind of weather. Only once, driving back down from Big Bear Mountain have I had to contend with snow and slush and patchy ice. And that was going down a windy mountain road! I don't think I was able to unpucker my ass for a few days after that.

Went to take a look outside to see how bad it was so far.







The bad stuff is suppose to be overnight.

Not here yet.

We are now having thunder snow. Don't recall having seen this before.

To quote my cousin, "THUNDASNOO!"

It's Global Warming.

Nice.

We have had thundersnow twice in the last 4 years. Of course, it is supposed to be 65 here tomorrow compared to the 7 degrees down in Florida.

Rob it didn't get down to 7° here in Florida today or last night, that must have been a glitch in the TV station's computer animation ... it probably missed a 5 or 6 in front of the 7 and the color probably automatically corresponded with the appropriate color for the posted temp (7°). That's my guess anyway. Gainsville (map area) reported a low of 61° and a high of 74° for today.

I like this guy's way of dealing with the adverse weather ... Whether or not I want to cook in this weather



Priorities man!

Ew, brussel sprouts!

Ew! Miller High Life.

Like he said. Priorities.

Looking at the radar I think the storm is going to pass east of us. Damn!! I was all set to go drift hopping.

Yah, you're absolutely right, I grew up in the NE and won't drive in Texas when there's ice because no one in Texas has a clue about how to drive on ice, which is DON'T DRIVE, or if you have to drive, don't ride the brake, it's just not going to help . . . .

Man, walking to the grocery store when it's 15 degrees and the North wind's blowing, what a blast from the past

5 am and we're starting to see some heavier snow. Looking at the local radar, Winsor is clear now. Its going to be a short storm.

We're getting it in Peterborough. Winds, snow, and lighting. It's the drifting that's bad.

Hope my nurse gets here.

I can verify that. In Houston, we get snow about once every five years so no one is used to driving in the stuff. The people in Dallas at least get a little more practice.

I thought you had "doctored" the graphic? In the 90's I had to travel to Jax every other week. The first time that I bebopped down in Feb, It got down to 15 and I had packed for the beach. You don't make that mistake but once....

The Miller High Life lounge is one of the best bars in the Des Moines area. Set in a 70's theme with shag carpeting and all the 70's beer signs, including all the best 70 beers. Not to mention awesome food, including tots. I highly recommend it if your in the area. There is a foo foo bar down the street if Peter wants to go there.

It's still snowing. Looks like about 18" so far with another 3 to 5 coming today. The drifts are what's going to be bad, they look to measured in feet not inches.

The county pretty much shut down all the roads so looks like we'll be staying put for a bit.

Wish I could help ya buddy, but some of the interstates over this way are closed or not recommended travel.

5 inches ??

Biggest storm since 1968 they told us. Man these weathermen are dramatic.

I wish they were wrong here..............not.

This reminds me of the story I've heard about for years about a female news anchor... "the day after it was supposed to have snowed and didn't, turned to the weatherman and asked.

"So Bob, where's that 8 inches you promised me last night?"

Not only did HE have to leave the set, but half the crew did too they were laughing so hard!

TV news says most roads are impassable here. I-94 is closed in two counties. Wis Gov has issued a Civil Danger Warning which basically says if you were that stupid to try to drive and get stuck, don't call us 'cause we probably can't get to you anyway. It's a good day to just stay inside and listen to my Axioms. Oh wait! I've got a 150' driveway to clear, damn .

This ain't no blizzard of 77. I am disappointed with the weather so far. Snowed for a bit and got some freezing rain/ice accumulation over night.

bbigwyrz must have been busy plowing last night. He left his mark with the mailbox. Nailed er' good. I am only keeping the pole of the mailbox up with snow now..lol.

Here's a couple of pictures from my garage POV. I've been trying to get the driveway cleared. It's slow work with just me and a shovel. This is in Kansas City, Missouri. Once I have this clear, I can get to work because the road has finally been plowed.

I remember the blizzard of 1977. In Georgia, the main issue was ice on power lines. My family and I slept around the fireplace in the living room when we lost power for 4 days. I feel like I may have told this story before. If so, sorry for the repeat, and new programming is scheduled soon.

CatBrat and the guys, good luck and be careful out there.

Major effort yesterday to clear the driveway so that I could get out and to work today... Now that work is canceled again today I fully intend to take my car out of the driveway and run a few errands, maybe go to the gym. I had 3 to 3.5 foot snow drifts on much of my driveway.

I think we had 12-14 inches of snow fall here in tulsa. About 10 minutes north of here there was 20-21 inches reported, well over the 12.9" state record.

Good thing the new Black Ops Zombie map and multiplayer maps came out yesterday

In 2001 my elec was out for 4 days too. Out for 2 days last year. I had huddled around the fireplace and kerosene heater.

'77 was the year that central Florida lost most of it's citrus due to the freezing conditions.

It is 60 degrees here and the sun is coming down in buckets.

Bucketful of Sunshine?

Bren R.

That would be a good way to spend a snow day. My last playthrough on Kino I had the raygun at round 4, thundergun at round 6. I PAP the raygun at round 11 and thundergun at round 13. I also had all my revives, juggernog and speed cola. The only things I would have liked to added were some monkey bombs to my aresenal and the double tap perk. I was unstoppable and could have gone on indefinitely...and then the game froze.

I had a similar experience to Randy and his "soccer mom in a mini-van" an hour ago. I was crossing Bovaird, a local six laner, driving in the centre lane of the three eastbound lanes,trying to get over to the right in order to turn onto the 410. There were a couple of cars beside me including an old geezer in a Toyota Camry. There was a large gap in front of him so I sped up a little in my Z71 and signalled to get into the turn lane onto the 410 but the old fart kept speeding up to try and block me. So, anyway, my 1 ton has some pretty aggressive tires and I'm also in 4WD on these greasy roads, so I easily got ahead of him and merged into the turn off lane. UH OH! Billy Joe Jim Bob don't like that...he pulls around to my left with the intention of passing me and cutting back in front of me in the turn lane. UH OH! old fart loses control, does about 5 fishies down the centre of Bovaird, narrowly missing the truck in front of us....I had to stop my truck....as much as I would have liked to T-bone this old f*ck(and this is an instance the law should allow me to do so, imo), I slowed right down and let him back in. I'm sure he crapped his depends in the meantime. After giving him a round of applause, I continued on my way to do some errands before realising I had left my wallet/licence/insurance at home....good thing I didn't paste the old geezer into the guardrail, afterall.

This is no exaggeration. My wife has an aunt and cousin that live in OK City and they E-Mailed to tell us that Oklahoma was under a state of emergency. The thing I couldn't understand is when they showed a picture of the OK City downtown core yesterday afternoon where there was nary a soul or car to be found and the snow fall had all but stopped, the snow continued to sit on the ground with not a plow in sight.

I dunno, you would think at some point over the course of time when an area is hit with enough of these they would spend some money to buy some snow removal equipment. Of course, from what I am reading and seeing, are many of the cities and states in the US under such dire financial straits that they can't even afford buy this stuff? Maybe I am being a bit simplistic but from the standpoint of lost productivity alone I would think that shutting down the place for two or three days is far more costly than buying some snow removal equipment.

In Tulsa and surrounding Oklahoma areas they do have plenty snow plows, sand, salt etc. However, since the entire state was hit it has really extended beyond their resources. They plow all of the highways and main streets first, working from the inside lanes out. They leave these huge piles of snow on the exit ramps and turn ins into parking lots and neighborhoods. Many cars get stuck in these piles at the exit ramps and turn ins.

I got my jeep out a little this morning and drove about a mile and saw 3 stuck/abandoned cars and I drove down a very flat street. I assume that hilly areas are really loaded up with cars.

Someone we know was driving a fed ex delivery truck yesterday morning and got stuck at 8:00 AM. They were stuck in their vehicle until the national guard came and got him at 4:30 this morning and took him to a hotel. His truck is still stuck.

My Aunt got stranded on the highway and when she called 911 they said it was a 24 hour response time. She left her car and started walking down the highway... fortunately someone picked her up and took her home.

Things have fizzled here in my part of NH. I'd guesstimate we got about 10", which is nothing considering all the hype.

I do understand though, that the Midwest seemed to have gotten it much worse as well as some areas getting it that really aren't prepared for more than an inch or so.

Here, it was just another common snow storm.

I finally got the drive dug out and as important the BBQ area The Toro did one hell of a job with the deep snow, I was pleasantly surprised.







Took out some steaks to put on the grill and we're going to make some jalapeno popper wrapped in bacon.

Well, the blizzard is a bust here. I can still see all the rooftops.

Rick, are those your "old man" scooter tracks in the snow?

We got about 6" out in the sticks west east of Toronto. There were big drifts (3 feet or so) on the road but the plow took care of those eventually. Other than digging out a couple of feet of piled up snow at the end of the driveway from the plow it wasn't bad, although snow was coming down which made the big hills exciting without 4wd.

Roads were pretty empty going into work - but ice pellets are coming down now in volume so the drive home is likely to be "interesting".

Flying rabbits are the worst.

How did ya guess Cam I have a plow on the front of it.