Virginia Under Winter Watch

[Native87]

Hello Folks. We have a winter storm warning here and to be honest........ I dont think I will mind it too bad. I actually got ahead on the wood etc. I have to haul a bit more water and the great thing is the kids get out for Christmas and New Years after tomorrow. They keep setting the time on arrival back with the weather so I guess we will just see. The best weather is walking out on your porch. LOL Have A Great One Folks. :jester:

[Deberosa]

Yep - just down the road we are all ready for the worst. Wouldn't bother me if we were snowed in the rest of the year!

[Native87]

Deb
If it does like they say it will be the biggest in years. We will just have to kick back with coffee and watch. They are saying anywhere from 12-18 inches. The plus also is the kids are out of school so I will have some great help for the rest of preperation. Have a good hibernation in Floyd. :) ;)

[NCLee]

Watching it here in NC, too. Western part of the state can get nailed, too.

Here, we're on the borderline. Right now in an advisery. The next county, only a few miles away is under a warning. More than one time, over the years, I've seen the forecasters be wrong about the serious accumulation snow line.

So, we'll see............

Lee

[Native87]

Yes NC You are right. We just have to watch and see. If this cold air mass drops a little farther south to you I guess you can join the club. LOL Have A Great Day In NC. :)

[cinok]

I saw this mornigng that you both should have a white on the ground and it looks like it my stay aroung abit. Stay safe have a cup of coccoa with the kids and enjoy

[MrGreenJeans]

Waiting for it and ready to go. If we loose electric we will still be fine. Warm, dry, plenty ta eat, and i'll have two day's to hunt in the snow. Atv's ready to go or 4 wheel drive, i love to hit the snow when it show's up.

[DaNgEr_KiTtY]

Looks like we may get more than the initial forecast of 18" here in Staunton VA. I actually did not know it was headed our way till yesterday. It was funny when I went to the grocery store & it was packed with people. All I bought was bread, milk & cat litter. They lady behind me was amazed that was all I was getting with the big storm coming our way. I told her that its a good idea to be prepared for the worst all the time. Hope everyone fares well!

[Native87]

Its officially here, started at about 1:30. It took no time at all to get things white. We have chances of thundersnow here tonight where at times it is predicted to fall at a rate of 2-3" inches per hour.
Luckily I had just got my wood all pile up in the house and got the animals bedded down good so time to just kick back and watch I suppose. Waitin on two more kids to get here and then I can rest a bit better.
The coffee is on and even got a pot of beans going and not too awful worried about the power if it should go out.
Hope everybody is having a great day out there. Take Care Of You And Yours :)

[Deberosa]

Yep, snowing over here too - got probably an inch now. It started sticking right away - that light fluffy kind of snow.

They closed the campus down at noon today.

[Native87]

I tell you that was some fast stick stuff. The light and fluffy kind is also the blame SLICKEST kind of snow IMO. Hold Floyd down over the mountain I KNOW it gets rough there as well.
I am glad they shut down early for you. Hold the fort down in Floyd. I KNOW it gets rough there also.

[Quietgentleman]

If you have the chance to be outside at night when you have thunder snow I would advise it. It is such a cool thing to see the best is to be away from a light source and to be in total darkness. When the lightning flashes the whole sky turns to and electric blue color as the light is reflected off the snow flakes coming down. Then you get that real deep muffled role of thunder it's such an experience.

QGM

[Anon001]

The reason we got a foot of snow last week was because it was one of those thundersnows. You're right... There's nothing like it.

Y'all stay in, stay warm, and stay safe.

They are predicted another major winter storm to drop out of the Pacific Northwest this next week. By Wednesday and Thursday it is suppose to hit here.... I'll be in Texas.

So, y'all have this next to also worry about. lol

Paul

[snake]

My sister's-in-law are on I-81 headed down here to me and Moma. They passed Christiansburg, Va., about 45 minutes ago. They said the snow was really coming down, and the driving wasn't fun at all. They just gotta hurry up and get to Florida!

[Deberosa]

Wow - as bad as it is if they don't have 4 wheel drive they'd best pull off and get a place for the night! This is the kind of snow that gets real slick and those trucks on 81 are horrible in good weather!

[snake]

I know what ya mean. They do have 4WD, and I hope they can make it to I-77, and start to come down out of the high country. I think it'll get better once they get to I-85.

[cinok]

Wow - as bad as it is if they don't have 4 wheel drive they'd best pull off and get a place for the night! This is the kind of snow that gets real slick and those trucks on 81 are horrible in good weather!
As a former drive that ran the helk out of 81 is not just the trucks the cars are just as bad :D

[CapeCMom]

They just posted a blizzard watch for the Cape. We're supposed to have 50 mile an hour winds with 1-2 inches of snow falling per hour. Isn't supposed to start until Sat afternoon so I am out to try to finish a little Christmas shopping before it comes. DH and DS bringing in a pile more of wood into the garage-it looks like we're in danger of power failures. Got the snow blower out and checked-I think we're ready. Should be fun actually-I am glad it is coming on a weekend!

[Deberosa]

No wind yet here thank goodness! And yes the cars are bad too but the trucks would squish me flatter. ;-)

Still coming down - cars creeping by on the road and an occasional snow plow so at least they try to keep it clear up there.

Do you have a store of water for when the power goes out? We put a bunch of buckets of water on the deck in case that happens and the generator can't be rigged to run the pump.

Good night to just stay inside - but amazingly the chickens laid a record 13 eggs today! They only managed 10 at the most up to this point!

[CapeCMom]

Do chickens sense the strong low pressure system? I wonder because from working with the girls at our maternity ward, women seem to delivery their babies when a big storm comes in-in fact they will come in early. I wonder if it's the same principle of barometric pressure?
Interesting.
Yes, we keep water on hand, but fortunately we are hooked up to Town Water so we shouldn't loose our water flow. It should be pretty cold coming out of the tap though, lol!

[Anon001]

Water? With two feet of snow, how could you be concerned about storing water? LOL :lol:

Actually, when we had our snow storm last week, I considered filing a couple barrels with snow to melt and just keep filling until it all melted and filled the barrels. But, I decided that was too much work. lol

[NCLee]

I know what ya mean. They do have 4WD, and I hope they can make it to I-77, and start to come down out of the high country. I think it'll get better once they get to I-85.

It's been sleeting/snowing for a couple of hours here. I-85 in the northern part of the state is in that sleet snow band. Later tonight it's supposed to turn to rain until sometime in the morning when it'll switch back to snow for a while. Depending on when they get to NC, it may take them to central NC before they are out of the sleet/snow band. The warm air is coming up from the south, so I'm hoping it'll be near Virginia by the time they hit I-85.

Thought I'd pass this on in case you talk to them again. Accumulation in northern NC around I-85 was about an 1" when the weather report came on local TV about 6:15.

Hope they have safe travels.

Lee

[Deberosa]

Water? With two feet of snow, how could you be concerned about storing water? LOL :lol:

Actually, when we had our snow storm last week, I considered filing a couple barrels with snow to melt and just keep filling until it all melted and filled the barrels. But, I decided that was too much work. lol


Too much work and the yellow stains Sheila and Jake are putting in it already!

[Anon001]

Oh. ok... lol

[MelleeRN]

Send some of that snow here.... I would love a white Christmas. We are forecasted to have thunderstorms. This means my giant lap dog will be hiding under my covers the entire time:)

[nhlivefreeordie]

It just started here, we are supposed to get 8-12 " by the time it ends late tomorrow night or early Sunday.

[AlchemyAcres]

Nothing from the Storm expected here!
Ain't that crazy!
It's been a fairly mild "winter" season here so far....knock on wood! LOL


~Martin ;)

[cinok]

Do any of you do snow removal or have thought about it. With that much snow coming this time of year there should be money to be made.

[Native87]

As of 1:30 this morning we had a little over 12" and its still coming down. I-81 and I-77 are a total mess. The Gov.has declared state of emergency and they are opening up shelters along the interstate to take in folks stranded out there. I really hope for their safety but I sure would have got off of the thing before hand if at all possible. It took some family 2 hours to get from Christiansburg to Snowville which is normally 30-35 minutes. The roads here.............. ROFL......... forget about it. I am soooooo thankful the wind isn't up or it would be a situation we had some years back where we didnt get out for 9 days. This stuff is so light it would drift into the roadbeds like nobodys buisness.

[Grizzy]

Thank You for letting us know how you're doing. It's so good you have electricity. Please be careful if and keep track of one another's coming and going so nobody gets losty out there. We'll be looking for the next update. God Bless and Keep Ya'll..

Be Strong
~Grizzy~

[NCLee]

Same here. Checked this thread first thing to see how everyone is doing.

We dodged the bullet here. Frozen stuff switched over to rain last night, but there's still some sleet west of I85 near the VA border. Expect it to be that way for a few more hours. May have some flurries here today before it winds up.

Lee

[CapeCMom]

They have upgraded our Blizzard watch to a warning this am. Son#2 is happy-he has many neighbors asking for snow removal for tomorrow. Just watching the weather channel and it's only us, Coastal Rhode Island and Long Island forecast for the blizzard conditions. Figures.
DH won a digital camera at his Christmas Party so I will be taking pictures-will post the aftermath-provided we have power, lol

[cinok]

You'all stay safe and warm looks like some of the Carolina's and Virginia are with out power now. The winds are supposed to pick up. Looks like this is going to be a big one. My sis in NJ is expected 8-12. Wonder if the kids will get an extended break.

[Deberosa]

We still have power here. Snow has mostly stopped I think. We got over a foot of snow so I'll be out on the tractor trying to clear some paths.
Kurt went out to take care of the birds with the dogs in tow.

Sheila has the kind of fur that collects the snow and she just came in looking like a snowball!

Martha is nice and cozy in her house and the chickens have a path cleared.
Next the tractor will get it's first workout for the 500 feet of driveway to the road!

I am so glad we put on the replacement windows. We are able to heat the house with two electric space heaters for now to preserve the propane since who knows when they will come down that drive to fill it! That's even with having the heat turned off completely all night.

Maybe winter is getting over with early here? ;-)

[nhlivefreeordie]

We have about 4" right now and it is coming down really quick. The storm shifted west from the original model, so now we are actually in the northern end of the swath for high totals.

[Builder Ken]

I will say a prayer for all you folks on the eastbank stay safe. If you have gutters keep them cleared or you may end up with ice damming. Keep us updated. Ken

[docsoos]

As of 1:30 this morning we had a little over 12" and its still coming down. I-81 and I-77 are a total mess. The Gov.has declared state of emergency and they are opening up shelters along the interstate to take in folks stranded out there. I really hope for their safety but I sure would have got off of the thing before hand if at all possible. It took some family 2 hours to get from Christiansburg to Snowville which is normally 30-35 minutes. The roads here.............. ROFL......... forget about it. I am soooooo thankful the wind isn't up or it would be a situation we had some years back where we didnt get out for 9 days. This stuff is so light it would drift into the roadbeds like nobodys buisness.

Good to hear you all are doing okay up there, Native87!

Just thought I'd check in and see how you all were doing; until I talked to you in the Chat Room yesterday, I didn't even know this storm was coming! We had a light dusting of snow this morning by 6:00 A.M., but the rain came behind it, and it's just wet and cold here now.

Keep us posted on how you're doing! And stay warm!

DocSoos

[Builder Ken]

Just seen on the weather channel power out in the Richmond area possibly till Christmas eve. Hang tough my friends. Ken

[CapeCMom]

OMG that's horrible! Prayers go out to those affected in the Richmond area. I hope that all of those people affected have a place to stay warm and well fed.

[Native87]

Thanks For All The Well Wishes and I do want to extend them right back to all our folks north of Va. Its heading your way folks. Thank good ness the wind is still not a factor and we have electricity but havent had a need to use it much as all our heat and even our cooking has been on the woodstove.
We didn't get any of the thundersnow but I understand they are still calling for it on up north so maybe someone will get a show. I think you will find when it does hit.....it hits and falls fast and sticks from the VERY beginning. We ended up with a touch over 14" on this mountain. Now the fun comes moving this mess. (If I only had a NEW 4wd tractor ;) ) ummmhmmm Any way yall keep your head up and eyes open cause it is on a warpath.
Thanks Again For All The Support.
P.S. Richmond from what I understand have declared emergency there last estimates I heard were 60000 + out of power but climbing. We will just have to see.

[cinok]

We still have power here. Snow has mostly stopped I think. We got over a foot of snow so I'll be out on the tractor trying to clear some paths.


Maybe winter is getting over with early here? ;-)
Hopefully you dont freeze on the tractor. Maybe you could ask santa for a soft cab for the tractor :D

[CapeCMom]

We had thunder snow a few years ago during a blizzard-it was so cool!

I made the mistake of stopping by the grocery store a few hours ago to grab milk-WOW
Wall to Wall people-yikes! I grabbed and ran!

[Deberosa]

That tractor got a workout today. ;-) Came in when I couldn't feel my face anymore and it started to snow again!

We got about the same here on this side of the mountain. Power is still on. Worried about the deck cover but not much we can do about that.

The main road is mostly clear and slushy, but of course there is the mountain of plowed snow blocking off the driveway.

I did learn two things - BACK your tractor into the shed so you can get it out! And Mark the sides of your driveway with poles of some kind - even those step in posts would have worked!!! I plowed a path and mostly hit where the driveway is!

Otherwise I am becoming skilled at the shifting and will be back at it again tomorrow. More shovelling to do once I warm up.

[nhlivefreeordie]

I just came in from shoveling the first 6" of snow, not too bad, it is light and fluffy laying there, but it is also packable, so a shovelful can get pretty dang heavy. It is getting dark already, and I know it isn't supposed to, and the snow fall picked up again, I am going to warm up, make some cookies, and I might go back out after the hockey game tonight. Lynn went to the damn plaza, just had to do some shopping, or today would have been a loss for her...:sarcastic:
I try to help her, but I am afraid she's terminal...:D

[CapeCMom]

What kind of cookies you makin' NH?
I've got some chex mix in the oven myself. May be cookies later-I need some inspiration!

[cinok]

I just came in from shoveling the first 6" of snow, not too bad, it is light and fluffy laying there, but it is also packable, so a shovelful can get pretty dang heavy. It is getting dark already, and I know it isn't supposed to, and the snow fall picked up again, I am going to warm up, make some cookies, and I might go back out after the hockey game tonight. Lynn went to the damn plaza, just had to do some shopping, or today would have been a loss for her...:sarcastic:
I try to help her, but I am afraid she's terminal...:D

This is a weird shaped strom my Mom lives up by Scranton and they are not expecting more then 4" or at least thats what she said @ 11:00 am. Still was not snowing there.

[nhlivefreeordie]

This is a weird shaped strom my Mom lives up by Scranton and they are not expecting more then 4" or at least thats what she said @ 11:00 am. Still was not snowing there.

Lynn's parents live 2 hours east of here, between us and Scranton, it just started there an hour ago, we started at 1:00am this morning, it is sliding up the east coast, but further east is getting less because it mostly bumps out to sea further around NJ. My son is east of us, but quite a bit south too, near Philly, they are supposed to get 18"
We are 3 1/2 hours southwest of Scranton.

[cinok]

Lynn's parents live 2 hours east of here, between us and Scranton, it just started there an hour ago, we started at 1:00am this morning, it is sliding up the east coast, but further east is getting less because it mostly bumps out to sea further around NJ. My son is east of us, but quite a bit south too, near Philly, they are supposed to get 18"
We are 3 1/2 hours southwest of Scranton.

Your over by Altoona. My sister is in NJ around Princeton she is expecting 12+. I hate to say it but when i see snow fall I see $$$$$$$$$$$ especially this time of year.

[Deberosa]

Hopefully you dont freeze on the tractor. Maybe you could ask santa for a soft cab for the tractor :D


Now there's and idea! ;-)

[CapeCMom]

They just upped our snowfall forecast. Now they are saying 15-20 inches. Still isn't snowing here although it is close. You can smell it in the air.
Got the fireplace ready to go, and my lamps out-weeeeeeee!

[nhlivefreeordie]

Your over by Altoona. My sister is in NJ around Princeton she is expecting 12+. I hate to say it but when i see snow fall I see $$$$$$$$$$$ especially this time of year.

Yes, a little east and south of Altoona, but same general area. I used to plow snow in NH, we LOVED storms like this.:wink: