SnOMG its the Snowpocalypse!

[prostwest]

NWS just called for 10-20 inches starting tomorrow midday into Weds.

I'm going to leave the top down just so I have another place to put the snow.

[91BRG]

NWS just called for 10-20 inches starting tomorrow midday into Weds.

see, now that's just not funny.

Snowpocalypse II: Gaia's Revenge!

[91BRG]

]Loyola just announced it's staying closed tomorrow too because there is no street parking available and lots of pathways still being cleared

I wonder if keeping the MWF and TueThurs schedules in sync played a part.

Could be, but more likely its because so many faculty park on the street and live in the county or PA that its going to be tough for them to get in, and with the predictions of more snow tomorrow, they're better off leaving the street clear for the city to dig out what they can... I bet we're off until Friday.

Just heard that Morgan State is staying closed tomorrow too.

Apparently they finally found a use for Pimlico and are going to dump all the city snow there! It's about time they did something of value with it!

[prostwest]

I might seriously think about getting on my roof to get some of the snow off there before more comes.

[IH82BL8]

we won't see a plow until 3-4 days after the storm.

That's a crock. IMO if the county can't finish snow removal within 48 hours of the end of a snowfall, then they need more plows.

The news reported the time limits imposed on residents for clearing sidewalks. AFAIC, I'll clear the s/w when they clear the street.

Talk about cabin fever!!

Time to get out of the cabin and into the garage.

[ChristianL]

NWS just called for 10-20 inches starting tomorrow midday into Weds.

I'm going to leave the top down just so I have another place to put the snow.

Was talking to a vendor in MN this afternoon who mentioned we were getting what they just had. When asked how bad it was, they immediately answered, "BAD!"

Considering they live in MN, I didn't take their reaction as a good sign.

[medrvmx5]

Hey we in Chicago are getting your Wednesday storm now, but we are only going to get 6-12 inches or so All the snow crews have had so little work this winter I bet it will all be cleaned off by Wednesday, when you guys get it

Actually took the Miata out of the garage and drove it down the highway this afternoon. Wow I miss that push in the seat when you go from 20 to 120 or so

Tony

[Sam Powell]

At first it seemed like an adventure. Then the electricity went off. We were lucky, it came back on in 12 hours. I spent three days off and on shoveling a 100 foot driveway. I was proud of that. We live on a snow emergency route, so it gets plowed immediately if not sooner, but until I get the drive shoveled or plowed, we are still house bound. So, it was nice to go out today, and go shopping with my wife.

Now they say all my hard work (which I was feeling proud of) is likely to be undone by another "dangerous" storm. We have a very low pitch roof. I think it is a 4/12. The feeling of adventure is beginning to be replaced by a bit of worry, and weariness. So this afternoon, I got up on a ladder, and raked snow off the part of the roof that I have the least confidence in. That would be the room I added last year. It took me two hours to get what looked like a combined 3 feet of snow off the roof from two snows. And oh yeah, I am thinking maybe I better do a little more shoveling of the deck. It has a combined 36" now, and if another 20" falls, I am not so sure about the deck either. It is built with mid posts, and is not held up entirely by the house as old decks were designed, but still, that is a bunch of snow. My roof is a truss roof, and am wondering if it was designed to take the stress of 4 feet of snow. I know a truss roof presses directly down on the walls, which is somewhat comforting. I know the walls will not spread apart if the roof fails. So if I hear creaking and crunching, I guess I can run towards a wall? Someone told me today about a tool called a snow rake. I don't know if I have ever seen one, but they are not uncommon in the North. I wonder if Home Depot sells these? This is getting to be not so funny any more.

Sam

[bill_keksz]

Sam, sounds just like our place.... Except our drive is 300 ft, and we're not on an emergency route, and our roof isn't a true truss (Deck House). The roof concerns me - the covered gutters froze up, and now there are ice dams all around. This will test the rubber sheeting under the shingles.

I was thinking of going to work for a couple hours today, but now figure I need to move snow to make room for more snow. I hope our dinky snow blower can throw over the existing mounds.

Good luck, all.

[Sam Powell]

Bill that is a long drive. ARe you out yet? Did you shovel it yourself, or get plowed? I woke up realizing I can make a snow rake by taking my garden rake and zip tying a section of vinyl siding remnant to the inside of the tongs and using it upside down. I used the rake yesterday with a broom extension taped to it, (always upside down) and it was frustrating that it did not truly grab the snow. I would break it up with the rake, and use a snow shovel to pull down the stuff. I am envisioning this going must faster now. Like Bill, I will have to shovel around the base of the house either before or after. And, I am supposed to go to work today.

One theory about this weather pattern we are caught in is that it is caused by turbulence over the North Pole, which is now partly melted, and much more humid than before. It is kind a global lake effects thing.


Keep up the good spirits if possible. There is always something to be grateful for ,and a grateful heart is healthier. ONe of the really cool things about this club is the very clever humor that flies around. Keep it coming funny men. We never needed it more.

Sam

PS,, Bill, Have always loved the Deck Houses. I wanted to build one for years. Did you build yours?

[thebeerbaron]

Sam: does your house get power from overhead lines? Please be careful with those rakes if so... very easy to be turned into a fuse.

Also, not sure why the choices are shovel or get plowed. Can't you shovel, then get plowed to make up for the pain and suffering of all that heavy lifting?

Not sure on all your roof thoughts, and not being down there I don't have a feeling for how heavy this stuff is, but given its volume, I'm guessing it's not all that heavy. I think I'd be more concerned if the upcoming precipitation were ice or rain, rather than what's likely light, fluffy stuff.

[prostwest]

I think I'd be more concerned if the upcoming precipitation were ice or rain, rather than what's likely light, fluffy stuff.

That's what made this last storm much more like the debilitating 1996 than the December 2009 or 2003 20+ inchers. It was far from light and fluffy- a lot of moisture in the 28 inches or so. If it had been fluffy it probably would have been 40 inches around here.

[bill_keksz]

The stuff we go wasn't all that wet. I expect it'd be great for sporting purposes.
Fresh snow starts out about 10% the density of water, so the snow is about 6 lb/ft^3.
So 2 ft of fresh snow puts about 12 lb on every ft^2 of my roof & deck.
House floors are usually rates somewhere north of 100 lb/ft^2. .
So, theoretically, our decks should be fine, as should my Deck house roof. OTOH, our deck was repaired, and is now a hybrid construction...

I think maybe I'll shovel it

[IH82BL8]

I might seriously think about getting on my roof to get some of the snow off there before more comes.

This is not great get-up-on-the-roof weather.

I just opened the trap door into the attic to let some warm air into that space. The insulation is on top on the ceiling, not in the rafters, so the heat should melt some of the snow before the next wave starts.

[prostwest]

This is not great get-up-on-the-roof weather.

Well, it's a flat city roof, but I hear ya.

[IH82BL8]

Well, it's a flat city roof, but I hear ya.

Ok, If I had a flat roof, I'd remove some of the snow for sure.

[91BRG]

Loyola just closed through Monday too bad I'm already at work...

[mph]

HOCO Schools Closed the rest of the week. Missed my Son (Ryan's) 22nd Bday on Monday he was hold up in UMCP. Missed his 21st Bday last year he was in UK attending Newcastle U

Just got plowed out this am. Went to the store and the lines were to the back of the store! Fridays run to Corridor Wines in Laurel for Bourbon-Beer-Wine is holding out. http://www.corridorwine.com

[jdf]

The stuff we go wasn't all that wet. I expect it'd be great for sporting purposes.
Fresh snow starts out about 10% the density of water, so the snow is about 6 lb/ft^3.
So 2 ft of fresh snow puts about 12 lb on every ft^2 of my roof & deck.
House floors are usually rates somewhere north of 100 lb/ft^2. .
So, theoretically, our decks should be fine, as should my Deck house roof. OTOH, our deck was repaired, and is now a hybrid construction...

I think maybe I'll shovel it

Yeah, I went up and shoveled off the roof of our kitchen-- the kitchen in our house was originally a porch, and nothing says half-assed like slapping some paneling on a porch and calling it a room. Add to that the main roof slope dropping snow right on it, and we were seeing almost five feet of drift on some areas of the roof.

The numbers say I shouldn't've been too worried, but the half-assed construction made me fear a little.

On the other hand, I didn't worry about the porch roof; when the nuclear armageddon happens, everything in the city will be blown to a crisp with the exception of the porch Amy had added to the side of the house. That thing is ridiculously overspec...

[ChristianL]

People are nuts, but the online weatherman for Accuweather just made me laugh my ass off. Best weather forecast EVER. http://bit.ly/a3loXf

Just happened to pick up Jim Kosek doing the weather - and would concur that it's probably the best weather delivery EVER. Gotta find out what drugs he's on.

[Tiger]

Someone told me today about a tool called a snow rake. I don't know if I have ever seen one, but they are not uncommon in the North. I wonder if Home Depot sells these?

I have one, I think from northerntool.com. My guess is this is how I'll be spending this evening and tomorrow and my wife is already not happy about the snowload on the various bushes around the house (this is not a sophisticated tool, it drops snow off the edge of the roof).

Like clearing the driveway (four sessions with the tiny 2-stroke blower so far), PLUS my mother-in-law's driveway, is not enough.

[prostwest]

I totally forgot I have a 15 or 20 foot telescoping fiberglass pole in the basement. That could come in handy!

[bill_keksz]

For what? Pole vaulting up onto the roof?
I'm not going up on the roof. It's only 3/12, now that I think of it, but that'd be just plain stupid. I did shovel most of the deck, figuring that what's on the roof will eventually be on the deck. I was going to do more, but realized I had overtaxed my scrawny-yet-flabby physique.

We have an impressive icicle collection.

I had actually chipped our way out yesterday, using a pinch bar I had formerly used to break asphalt. Made my way to work for a few hours, doing nothing of consequence. Today, I decided I had all the work I needed at home to prep for Snowmageddon part 2.

[bill_keksz]

...I just opened the trap door into the attic to let some warm air into that space. The insulation is on top on the ceiling, not in the rafters, so the heat should melt some of the snow before the next wave starts.

Or - the snow melt backs up behind the frozen eaves (ice dam), forming a pond just inboard of the outer wall. Leaks wont be detected for a while, as the insulation soaks it up.

[Sam Powell]

Sam: does your house get power from overhead lines? Please be careful with those rakes if so... very easy to be turned into a fuse.

Also, not sure why the choices are shovel or get plowed. Can't you shovel, then get plowed to make up for the pain and suffering of all that heavy lifting?

Not sure on all your roof thoughts, and not being down there I don't have a feeling for how heavy this stuff is, but given its volume, I'm guessing it's not all that heavy. I think I'd be more concerned if the upcoming precipitation were ice or rain, rather than what's likely light, fluffy stuff.

All power is underground now. It was buried about 5 years ago. Thanks for the concern. I will see if i can;t get plowed at some point here.

Sam

[prostwest]

For what? Pole vaulting up onto the roof?

Not a bad idea.

A neighbor let me climb the stairs to his deck and my roof didn't look too bad.

I used the pole to knock down the icy snow that had curled over the back of the house.

[bill_keksz]

Figured as much. Kerry just did that to our icicle collection this AM.
Just got back in from blowing the first 4". Figure another 2-3 hours, & I get to do it again.
I think my "good spirits" are currently limited to Myers's Dark.

[prostwest]

Myers's Dark.

Good in the breakfast coffee?

[bill_keksz]

Soothes the aching muscles.
Damn, I'm tired.

[91BRG]

Thought about snow blowing the first 6+ inches off, but the wind might have carried me away... I'll wait. I'd rather work harder when it's clear than have the wind send me into the neighbors yard now. More fun just checking out all the birds that we don't normally have at the feeders, and on the scattered seeds... a few we can't identify at all A pair of ravens arrived a bit ago, quite a surprise as they never come into our yard. At least 2 different hawks looking for a quick bite...