Author Topic: Yea, it's snowing (Read 6963 times)

Randy Powell · « **on:** January 18, 2012, 09:28:21 AM »

Now, I know all you guys that live in snow country laugh when us Puget Sound wimps talk about weather. But remember that this place is built for rain and doesn't do well with snow. Few plows and sand trucks. Roads are crowned for rain and you just slide off into the very deep drainage ditches. This is a picture from my deck a half hour ago. About 13" and snowing hard. I'm not going anywhere. Particularly until it gets a bit lighter and I can get my chain saw out and get the tree off the road at the end of my driveway. Joy.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2012, 10:09:36 AM »

Bummer Randy, but I can tell you're having sooooo much fun! 54 degrees here yesterday, a little rain, no snow to speak of yet this winter.

Gordan Delaney · « **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2012, 10:19:41 AM »

Randy,
We`ve had snow on the ground for a few days now. But the storm that hit you is on it`s way to Salt Lake. They say it will hit here about 5:00PM today. So don`t you feel too bad. OK? Did you find a ride for your plane yet?

Gordy

David M Johnson · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2012, 10:31:23 AM »

What part of Seattle I have a Brother in Federal Way. I'll have to call him.
David Johnson

Brian Massey · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2012, 10:44:26 AM »

No snow here in Central CA, but I did have to ride my HD into Fresno yesterday morning for a new tire. It was 24 degrees when I left home. I could not have picked a worse day for the appointment.

On the upside it warmed to 54 degrees with clear sunny skies, so we can still fly.

Brian

Randy Powell · « **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2012, 10:50:51 AM »

David,

I live out on Kitsap Peninsula west of Seattle across the Sound. Seattle only got about 3 inches or so. It' gets worse the further south you go. Olympia got hammered as has Tacoma. We are predicted for about 14 inches but I look outside and it's still snowing like crazy.

Gordan,

Yea, Pete offers to haul it with his stuff since he is driving. So I'm back in business. Good news it, he can also haul my flight box and fuel.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2012, 10:56:33 AM »

I feel for you Randy,, I made the treck 45 miles to work this morning,, Now I just hope I can get home tonight,, I would really hate being stuck at work all night,, though my boss would like it, I might get some of this backlog caught up LOL,,

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2012, 11:17:26 AM »

We're getting heavy rain down here in beautiful, cosmopolitan Redland, OR (The neighboring town has bumper stickers now: New York, Paris, Estacada).

As a note to folks from real snow country: not only is the infrastructure not set up for snow here, we get a different sort of snow. When I was living on the outskirts of Boston we got lots of snow, but it generally got cold in October, stayed cold, and any water that fell out of the sky was good and frozen. So you could just drive on it, and when it got plowed you had a nice base to drive on. Here we get snow that's barely frozen, that falls on warm ground for a while before things cool off enough for it to stick -- so we get slop over ice.

Then, it's not uncommon to get some rain, and then for things to clear up and freeze. Since the roads haven't been plowed, all the ruts that were made in the slush freeze solid. This makes for easy driving until you find that you're in a set of ruts made by a car that ran off the road.

Add to that the fact that 90% of the drivers have no clue how to drive in the stuff, and it makes life difficult if you need to get someplace.

It's like rain in Los Angeles -- any time you get weather that gets into the 90th percentile for the local area, driving gets difficult.

David M Johnson · « **Reply #8 on:** January 18, 2012, 12:06:02 PM »

Feeling your pain.... in Sunny AZ I don't miss driving in it at all.
David Johnson

Bootlegger · « **Reply #9 on:** January 18, 2012, 12:47:01 PM »

Here in the DEEP South we don't USUALLY have sneaux (snow) but we do suffer huricanes from June till the end of November, sure glad we don't get much sneaux...

Randy Powell · « **Reply #10 on:** January 18, 2012, 01:33:42 PM »

The weather man lied again. Said the snow would be done by 10am or so. it's 12:30 and still coming down. Joy!

Jack Mulinix · « **Reply #11 on:** January 18, 2012, 01:41:40 PM »

Yea, they missed that one. Still snowing up here in Mill Creek, Lynnwood also. Oh what FUN!!!

Mike Griffin · « **Reply #12 on:** January 18, 2012, 01:49:21 PM »

I told Randy not to be a wimp and put some skis on that stunter and get out there and fly. His response (since it was a public posting on facebook) was "YO MOMMA". I think he was thinking something else though...

Mike

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #13 on:** January 18, 2012, 01:54:07 PM »

Quote from: Mike Griffin on January 18, 2012, 01:49:21 PM

I told Randy not to be a wimp and put some skis on that stunter and get out there and fly. His response (since it was a public posting on facebook) was "YO MOMMA". I think he was thinking something else though...

Mike

Mike, I know Randy pretty well, the whole "Yo MOMMA" comment is pretty much as bad as it gets LOL,, from Randy thats well,,, yeah,, not good LOL

I ended up coming home,, my 45 mile drive took two hours this morning to get to work, not horrible,, just slow. then watching the snow keep falling and now the wind come up, that means 195 will be closing soon and I am not at all fond of sleeping in my office, so I took a snow day and drove back home,, hmm what to do,,

oh yeah, sanding on a stunter,, what better way to spend the day,, I wish the girls were not home, then I could do some doping too,, I have to patch a hole in the wing from some mysterious thing that happened when the girls had a sleepover,, sigh,,

wwwarbird · « **Reply #14 on:** January 18, 2012, 02:04:42 PM »

Sounds like it's time to lock yourself in the shop and bond with your sandpaper Randy!

RDJeff · « **Reply #15 on:** January 18, 2012, 02:49:08 PM »

I wish it was snowing here! It's -38F and clear right now. A warm air mass would have to move in with clouds and a 30 or 40 degree temperature increase in order for any snow to fall.

Mike Griffin · « **Reply #16 on:** January 18, 2012, 03:49:23 PM »

Mark I spent two years at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage from 1970 - 1972. I remember it being 35 below with 70 mph winds and they had to run a rope from the gate to the building where we worked for us to hang on to so we could get inside. In those two years I had enough cold, snow and Ice fog to last a lifetime. I do not envy you for the weather. The temp here in New Orleans is much more to my liking.

I hope you guys don't freeze to death up there... stay warm..

Regards

Mike

proparc · « **Reply #17 on:** January 18, 2012, 03:53:13 PM »

This is why he builds so good!!

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #18 on:** January 18, 2012, 04:06:42 PM »

Quote from: RDJeff on January 18, 2012, 02:49:08 PM

I wish it was snowing here! It's -38F and clear right now. A warm air mass would have to move in with clouds and a 30 or 40 degree temperature increase in order for any snow to fall.

If it got that cold here for any length of time the pipes would freeze in 90% of the houses, and when it warmed up the whole Willamette Valley would be without water (the frost line here is only 2' below grade). I remember a cold snap when I was still living with my parents that got down to -20F for a couple of days, and froze the water in the pipes in our laundry room which had an outside wall. That hadn't happened before, and never happened since.

Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach · « **Reply #19 on:** January 18, 2012, 05:09:53 PM »

I woke up this morning to -42 degrees!

I ain't leaving the house.....except maybe for coffee!

RDJeff · « **Reply #20 on:** January 18, 2012, 05:13:38 PM »

Quote from: Tim Wescott on January 18, 2012, 04:06:42 PM

If it got that cold here for any length of time the pipes would freeze in 90% of the houses, and when it warmed up the whole Willamette Valley would be without water (the frost line here is only 2' below grade). I remember a cold snap when I was still living with my parents that got down to -20F for a couple of days, and froze the water in the pipes in our laundry room which had an outside wall. That hadn't happened before, and never happened since.

We still get some frozen pipes, folks who aren't on the ball. The pipes will of course burst when the freeze, so it can be messy!

At least we have radial tires on our cars these days, bias ply tires often took several blocks to become round again, and that is with frozen shock absorbers, so the ride was rugged!

RDJeff · « **Reply #21 on:** January 18, 2012, 05:14:20 PM »

Quote from: Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach on January 18, 2012, 05:09:53 PM

I woke up this morning to -42 degrees! I ain't leaving the house.....except maybe for coffee!

Where are you Glenn? Is that -42 F or -42 C?

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #22 on:** January 18, 2012, 06:46:06 PM »

Quote from: RDJeff on January 18, 2012, 05:13:38 PM

We still get some frozen pipes, folks who aren't on the ball. The pipes will of course burst when the freeze, so it can be messy!

At least we have radial tires on our cars these days, bias ply tires often took several blocks to become round again, and that is with frozen shock absorbers, so the ride was rugged!

My truck has radials but they're cheap, so on cold days it goes thumpity-thump for a couple of miles before the tires are round again.

And that's cold for here, meaning +40F.

RDJeff · « **Reply #23 on:** January 18, 2012, 06:55:16 PM »

Don't get me wrong, I feel for the Seattle folks, that place isn't designed for snow! I've been there during a snow event, and have seen the results!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #24 on:** January 18, 2012, 07:46:05 PM »

I lived in Pocatello, ID for several years. I don't miss going outside to 3 feet of snow, clear skies and -40F. This snow here won't last. Too low of altitude. But it's a pain while it's here.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #25 on:** January 18, 2012, 07:59:29 PM »

What's funny is that snowy Vermont doesn't have any more than an inch or so of snow on the ground! And I'm happy about that!!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #26 on:** January 19, 2012, 08:56:53 AM »

Well, things change. It's not snowing anymore. Instead we have a new thrill. Freezing rain. Last time we had an ice storm (about 15 years ago) it knocked the power out for 2 weeks. I really hope that doesn't happen again. I understand my office in Tacoma has lost power and most of Tacoma is under an inch of ice and building. Think I'll just stay home.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #27 on:** January 19, 2012, 09:28:26 AM »

Dude, I am right there with you,, staying home that is,,

we got about 3/8" ice on my picup last night,, decided driving to work was probably not going to happen,,

more happy time with sandpaper today instead,,

Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach · « **Reply #28 on:** January 19, 2012, 04:56:40 PM »

RDJeff....I am in northern Alberta. About an hour north of Edmonton. -40F and -40c are the same. Its finally warmed up to -25, so it ain't so bad now! LOL

RDJeff · « **Reply #29 on:** January 19, 2012, 05:08:53 PM »

Glenn,

I threw that one out there to see if anyone would bite on it.

I'm in Fairbanks, Alaska, where it has warmed up today to -20F!

Joe Just · « **Reply #30 on:** January 19, 2012, 05:18:07 PM »

I grew up East of Buffalo,NY and managed to deal with snow and ice up to my eyeballs year after year, but this morning was the very first time in my life I just stayed indoors, not even walking out to get the paper. About 8-9 inches of heavy wet snow topped with 1/2" of ice with the rain coming down and freezing as it hit. My only fear is that we do not have a "Chinook Wind" like we had in early 1996 when we got hit with a massive flood!
Joe

wwwarbird · « **Reply #31 on:** January 19, 2012, 06:55:04 PM »

Quote from: Mark Scarborough on January 19, 2012, 09:28:26 AM

more happy time with sandpaper today instead,,

That's a good boy Mark!

Howard Rush · « **Reply #32 on:** January 19, 2012, 07:03:05 PM »

Just got in from skiing in my front yard. Conditions are nice.

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #33 on:** January 19, 2012, 07:30:41 PM »

SNOW?...SNOW?...Oh yeah I remember now that cold stuff that is the reason I moved to Arizona 35 years ago.
This is me smiling!!!!!
I flew today...a little chilly in the morning...about 48 degrees. 70 degrees this afternoon and very nice!

Randy Cuberly
Plenty of room at our flying field guys. C'mon Down!

Dave Hull · « **Reply #34 on:** January 19, 2012, 08:09:25 PM »

LA Update: Only getting down to the low 40's (that's F) at night here, but no heat and no insulation in the garage, so you can only do about an hour of work before the dexterity goes.... They say we're finally going to get some rain this weekend. That's the good news. Offsetting all this near-tropical paradise was the earthquake we had on Tuesday, just 8 miles away. Just a tiny one--but it was right in the middle of Santa Monica bay, reminding us we sure don't want a big one there! We're all safe for sure though--Santa Monica and nearby cities have put up tsunami evacuation route signs for everyone to follow....

Mebbe this weekend I'll get some work done on a few of the many half-done planes stacked all over the house....

Dave Hull

john e. holliday · « **Reply #35 on:** January 20, 2012, 08:03:46 AM »

Quote from: Randy Cuberly on January 19, 2012, 07:30:41 PM

SNOW?...SNOW?...Oh yeah I remember now that cold stuff that is the reason I moved to Arizona 35 years ago.
This is me smiling!!!!!
I flew today...a little chilly in the morning...about 48 degrees. 70 degrees this afternoon and very nice!

Randy Cuberly
Plenty of room at our flying field guys. C'mon Down!

Randy C., you mean you don't miss the sledding down the hills. Where I lived on 74th Street we had almost a quarter mile straight line sledding. In behind the Pomroy Grade School we had a path from the play ground all the way down to the creek in back of the school. But, now, I sit here wondering where our snow is. Only had maybe an inch plus so far this year. Roads didn't even get sanded. By the way, temp this AM is 18F degrees.

Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach · « **Reply #36 on:** January 20, 2012, 09:55:41 AM »

Its still -30 this morning.......I guess I'll put off working outside today!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #37 on:** January 20, 2012, 09:56:55 AM »

I made it into work today. Not sure why since there are only about 5 people here and most appointments have cancelled. Not sure how long we will stay open but I'm here. Thrilling drive to work, though.

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #38 on:** January 20, 2012, 04:45:16 PM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on January 20, 2012, 08:03:46 AM

Randy C., you mean you don't miss the sledding down the hills. Where I lived on 74th Street we had almost a quarter mile straight line sledding. In behind the Pomroy Grade School we had a path from the play ground all the way down to the creek in back of the school. But, now, I sit here wondering where our snow is. Only had maybe an inch plus so far this year. Roads didn't even get sanded. By the way, temp this AM is 18F degrees.

Yeah Doc...I guess I do miss the sledding...but then I really miss being 10 years old most!

Where I lived on 6th and Park (not a great neighborhood I'm afraid) we had a hill that was more than a quarter mile long that got so slick when it snowed that they would close it to traffic for several days at a time (very steep) and we kids would use it for sledding. A lot of the adults even joined in.

Randy C.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #39 on:** January 20, 2012, 09:12:08 PM »

And to top off a wonderful day of slipping and sliding, I couldn't go home since the bridge I drive over (the Tacoma Narrows Bridge) was closed due to ice melting and dropping off the cables. So I got to stay at work until 5:30pm (I was supposed to go home at 3pm) and then wait in the parking lot until about 6:30 until they let us drive over the bridge. I suppose I could have driven around (this is a bridge to a peninsula). That would have been 3 hours on largely 2 lane, snowy roads that are mostly right next to the water. I decided to wait it out.

Nice to be home.

Howard Rush · « **Reply #40 on:** January 20, 2012, 09:58:36 PM »

Quote from: Randy Cuberly on January 20, 2012, 04:45:16 PM

Yeah Doc...I guess I do miss the sledding...but then I really miss being 10 years old most!

Where I lived on 6th and Park (not a great neighborhood I'm afraid) we had a hill that was more than a quarter mile long that got so slick when it snowed that they would close it to traffic for several days at a time (very steep) and we kids would use it for sledding. A lot of the adults even joined in.

Randy C.

I did my sledding on 81st St. between Grand and Oak.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #41 on:** January 20, 2012, 10:27:16 PM »

Glad ya made it home Randy,, its the weekend, time for zen,, got the 320 on the bench, movies on the tube,, and quiet,,

well excepting helping the helpless west side neighbor girls unstick their rear wheel drive Volvo,,
and then going to rescue the stuck daughter,, again digging her out,
and then digging out the drive to get her car into it,,
sigh,, maybe just the couch and movies,,
Oh and a shot of Crown Royal,,

Howard Rush · « **Reply #42 on:** January 20, 2012, 11:15:06 PM »

Typical NW forecast: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Bellevue&state=WA&site=SEW&lat=47.5527&lon=-122.148

Michael Massey · « **Reply #43 on:** January 20, 2012, 11:36:53 PM »

Here in Cottage Grove (just outside Eugene) we had our snow last week. Now it is the rain and flooding. We are lucky enough to live on higher ground so all is well. Hope the rest of you (and everyone else) facing the bad weather get through it ok.

louie klein · « **Reply #44 on:** January 21, 2012, 07:35:25 AM »

Man it is tough watching the wife out there shoveling the snow. Gee I hope she dressed warm!---LOUIE

Larry Cunningham · « **Reply #45 on:** January 21, 2012, 08:44:59 AM »

It's called Building Season, Randy.. ;->

L.

"If you wait, it will go away." -Hellrung's Law

Author Topic: Yea, it's snowing (Read 6963 times)

Mike Griffin

Mike Griffin

Joe Just