The Crippling Blizzard of '16

[ny biker]

I am trying very hard not to think about the storm that is about to hit us. Every forecast gets worse with more and more snow expected. And I hate sitting here listening to the wind howling outside and hoping if the electricity will go out -- which means no heat and panic about possible freezing pipes. I would just like to fast-forward to Sunday.

Last night I realized that I played this wrong -- I should have packed a bag and headed up to my parents' house in NY. They're expecting far less snow. I could have been there to help them, shovel whatever they get, work remotely for a few days and let my neighbors down here deal with the task of shoveling out.

A few days ago it looked like things would warm up to the 40s next week, but that forecast has been adjusted down, so they think it will be above freezing during the day but only by a few degrees. That will prolong the melting. We don't have reserved parking here and storms like this tend to bring out the worst in people as they try to claim that the parking space they shoveled out can't be used by anyone else. The last time we had this much snow it was plowed into the few spaces that were empty during the storm -- giant piles, taller than me. But we needed those spaces so I spent several days clearing them out. Occasionally someone came out to help me but mostly people just watched. Then they complained when someone took the one and only space that they shoveled.

When we finally get back to work, things will be even worse. The county where my office is located has no requirements for shoveling sidewalks, so they do not get shoveled at all. You have to walk in the street -- busy roads with no shoulders -- or drive to get lunch and run errands. If you do try to walk, you will find 6' snow piles left by the snow plows at all the intersections, forcing you even farther into traffic.

All the roads here are so covered with salt that they are already white. The big trucks crush the salt and kick up the dust with their tires. So you drive along through white clouds of crushed salt. For me it's an asthma trigger. But the alternative is black ice and complete gridlock for miles.

This area is just not a good place to be when it snows.

I have lots of reading to do for work to keep me busy through the weekend. It's dull so I will struggle to stay focused, especially with all my neighbors home and making noise (and stinking up my house with the stench of whatever "food" they cook). I've got the indoor trainer for my bike which I hope will help me get through. I've also got the suspension trainer to work out at home, though I won't really need it once the snow shoveling commences. The condo association has announced that they won't start shoveling sidewalks until Sunday morning, so I'll probably go out several times tomorrow to clear the walk in front of our building. Something to do to pass the time.

(I've got a giant bottle of Jamaican rum and some cream liqueur in the fridge. But that would not be a healthy way to pass the time. )

[Crankin]

Eh, the rum doesn't sound bad.
You guys are really getting it. We are only getting a dusting-2 inches in the NW suburbs of Boston, although there will be more in Boston, and about 6 inches on the coast. I guess people deserve the time off after last winter here, but personally, last year's snow was heaven for me!
You have the right attitude. Look at it as time off from normal life. Shoveling is great exercise. Take some deep breaths if the sidewalks are crappy, or people don't know how to drive. It will pass. If the power goes out, be prepared, but, unfortunately, there's not much you can do.

[Trek-chick]

Hang in there. I was actually hoping some would head north to MI, because I want to go cross country skiing so bad but, at this time we just do not have enough snow. This kind of weather you describe makes me love having a Jeep Wrangler as a daily driver. It can go anywhere!!! I'm weird that I actually like to drive in the snow now.

[Crankin]

I'd say about 80% of the drivers around here have AWD or 4WD cars. I can't imagine living in a snowy climate without it. Of course, it doesn't help you stop (I also have super duper snow tires), but I couldn't drive up my street without it, let alone my driveway.
I learned to drive in the snow when I was 37. Enough said. I hate driving to begin with, so this was not a piece of cake for me. Obviously, most people don't need AWD in DC or the south, but to me, it is a necessity.

[Pax]

I like the rum idea. Do your work reading, enjoy a trainer ride, then settle in with a movie and a nice rum drink. Leave the snow and related issues to the neighbors and use you time to relax.

[Eden]

I dunno… where I grew up one or two good snows a year were not unexpected and the city didn't plow - just salt on the streets. It was totally an unwritten rule that you didn't park in a space in front of someone else's house that they'd shoveled out…(in many places there were few driveways). It's very nice of you to shovel other people's spaces, especially if they are able to do it themselves.

Out here there are few heavy snows in the lowlands - once every few years maybe, and mostly people just stay put, as they have little idea of how to drive in it, and even if you do have AWD, the city doesn't have the equipment to clear snow, the streets are steep and can get very icy and AWD doesn't help a person stop… We do have an ordinance that requires people to clear their sidewalks, but few people even own a snow shovel out here.

[ZoneFive]

From what I've been hearing, the bands of heavy snow are expanding northwards so your parents might very well be getting more snow than expected, too. We've got a weather radio that charges with a crank, so we've been able to keep aware of the outside world in snowstorms when the power's gone out -- that was very helpful the last two winters! I wish you full power and heat the whole time, and nice people to talk to when you go out to shovel!

[Catrin]

Stay warm and safe!

[Pax]

Thinking about all of you affected, hope you can stay warm and snug and wait this out!

[Blueberry]

We got very lucky (see the Thankful thread). Just to the east of us got heavy freezing rain, with lots and lots of power outages. We have lots of icy crud on the ground, but not much more coming and little to no ice accumulation on trees and power lines. Heavy winds this afternoon, and after that (knocking on wood), we'll be in the clear. Thinking of all those east and north of us who are getting it much worse!

[ny biker]

Well I was going to ride the indoor trainer last night but one of my friends who lives a block away invited me over to share the casserole she had made. I brought 2 small bottles of sparkling wine (the favor from my cousin's wedding last April).

They said the worst would be from 1 am to noon so I stayed up late and slept till 11:30 -- no point in getting up early. Unfortunately there is nothing good to waych on TV. Since I got up I've been frittering away time with social media and family texts. My nephew the Maryland firefighter worked yesterday, is still at it today and will probably pull a third shift tomorrow. They're very busy. His father is up on Long Island driving a snow plow as he does during every storm. And then there's the brother in California who took a break from watching his son play baseball to send me this:

http://www.biketheslopes.ca/

Other family members are currently converging on Denver to watch football (go Broncos).

I'm about to hit the indoor trainer and watch the NYC episode of Sonic Highways. I decided to wear my new socks, part of the spoils from TE's moving sale.



Best wishes to everyone in the path of the storm. Still about 7 hours of snow expected here -- it's surreal.

[Crankin]

I hope everyone is safe and no long power outages. We are up in the White MTs. In NH. Very cold, gray skies this morning, but the sun did come out. Best thing was, no wind. It looks like we had an inch or two at home.
Although I don't want the dangerous parts of the storm, I'd have liked a nice 6 inches or so!

[Helene2013]

Ouf. What a storm some of you were hit with. Do not forget the snow on roofs either.and stay safe. No job is worth your life or serious injuries.

[Crankin]

I empathize with you, NY. Stay safe and baby your back. My shoulders and arms hurt every time I shovel, no matter what I am doing at the gym. I don't shovel often, as we have a giant snowblower and a plow guy who does our access driveway. But, last Monday we had about 4 inches of fluffy snow, DH was away, so I shoveled almost the whole driveway. I counted it as 2 hours of exercise.
I've seen the pictures of DC and it looks like it's getting dangerous.