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geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: MissileMike on Tue, 01 February 2011, 14:34:33

Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: MissileMike on Tue, 01 February 2011, 14:34:33
Anyone else in the Blizzard's path?  I am in Chicago and we're supposed to get at least 20" of snow between now and tomorrow.....  Luckily I have my model M Space Saving keyboard to keep me warm :)
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 01 February 2011, 14:54:59
We're even supposed to get some snow on Thursday.  I believe it when I see it.  It is unseasonably cold here, though.  Just yesterday, I was wearing shorts; today, it's about 37 outside.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Tue, 01 February 2011, 15:06:23
New Orleans got some light rain.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: keyboardlover on Tue, 01 February 2011, 15:06:54
I'm on the east coast and we got iced last night and a bit today. Supposed to get more ice tonight and then rain tomorrow. I hear Chicago is going to get blitzkrieged.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: cgoldberg on Tue, 01 February 2011, 15:15:33
In Boston, and we are getting buried in snow today...

no place left to put this snow... we are already full.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: MissileMike on Tue, 01 February 2011, 15:17:32
We're supposed to get "Thundersnow" tonight.  I didn't even know there was such a thing.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 01 February 2011, 15:25:09
That "lake-effect" snow is fun stuff, too.  We were getting dumped on at the Bears/Jets game around Xmas.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: keyboardlover on Tue, 01 February 2011, 15:30:15
I like to call snow "Canadian sand". I hate when it gets inside my socks when I'm shoveling!
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 01 February 2011, 15:37:32
Quote from: keyboardlover;288471
I like to call snow "Canadian sand". I hate when it gets inside my socks when I'm shoveling!


That's why I have a pair of these beasts:

(http://l5.zassets.com/images/z/1/1/3/1139567-p-2x.jpg)
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: cyberphine on Tue, 01 February 2011, 15:42:19
Nice, I'm right down the street in Hammond.

Quote from: Phaedrus2129;288450
New Orleans got some light rain.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: keyboardlover on Tue, 01 February 2011, 16:10:09
Nice boots itlnstln...I'm due for a new pair. What's the actual name of those?
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: instantkamera on Tue, 01 February 2011, 16:34:24
yes, Im going to get dumped on, we are right in the center of the mess. Meh, what's new? My wife will get a day off and Ill get to do the same thing I always do: Get up, walk 5 feet, and get to work.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Tue, 01 February 2011, 17:19:30
In CT it was officially the snowiest month ever in January.  Here comes February and we are still getting hammered with snow.  I don't think there has been a time since November that there has been a full week of school for me.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: iMav on Tue, 01 February 2011, 17:37:17
As a North Dakota native, it amazes me how snow storms and blizzards cause so much chaos in areas that should EXPECT them during the winter.  The mentality between my home town in ND and where I live now in southern Wisconsin is crazy.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: Daniel Beaver on Tue, 01 February 2011, 18:04:11
One of the many perks of living in a banana republic is that I can point and laugh at you guys this time a year.

iMav: At 46+ degrees of latitude, North Dakota is More Than Half Way To The North Pole. Southern Wisconsin is More Than Half Way To The Equator. See how that works?

There's just not a lot of interbreeding between the crazed Scandinavian yetis of the north and lazy tropical beach bums of the south, so you get that sharp gradient near the 45th parallel.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: instantkamera on Tue, 01 February 2011, 18:37:01
Quote from: itlnstln;288476
That's why I have a pair of these beasts


Nice boots, I have a very similar-looking pair of Columbia "Cascadian Crest" boots.

(http://outlet.altrec.com/images/shop/detail/swatches/CLB/23620.56665_e.jpg)

I still end up just wearing any old kicks most of the time, even when I shovel the driveway, I was never one to get cold feet. I have been scouring all over for a pair of these in my size though, after seeing a sample at a local shoe shop:

Sorel Bota Bag (http://www.sorel.com/Bota-Bag%E2%84%A2-09/NM1482_S,default,pd.html)

Quote from: iMav;288527
As a North Dakota native, it amazes me how snow storms and blizzards cause so much chaos in areas that should EXPECT them during the winter.  The mentality between my home town in ND and where I live now in southern Wisconsin is crazy.


Yeah dude, Im not sure why people hate it so much too. I have lived on the Atlantic, in Montreal (Quebec is notorious for their Winters), and now near the snow belt, and I wish we got more.

Quote from: Daniel Beaver;288540
One of the many perks of living in a banana republic is that I can point and laugh at you guys this time a year.

Who says we aren't laughing at YOU?
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: Pylon on Tue, 01 February 2011, 18:42:28
Quote from: cgoldberg;288461
In Boston, and we are getting buried in snow today...

no place left to put this snow... we are already full.


Aw man. I'm also in Boston and I've got snow piled 6 feet on both sides of the driveway for the entire length at least. Shoveling sure is tiring when you have to fling the snow the extra distance.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: Ekaros on Tue, 01 February 2011, 19:47:09
Quote from: iMav;288527
As a North Dakota native, it amazes me how snow storms and blizzards cause so much chaos in areas that should EXPECT them during the winter.  The mentality between my home town in ND and where I live now in southern Wisconsin is crazy.


It suprising what a few less snowy years can do... There is no equipment in some(one) big cities even in Finland... Still, mandatory winter tires work decently here. So once they get stuff cleaned not so much issue...

BTW, I hate that stuff...
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: DaemonRaccoon on Tue, 01 February 2011, 21:24:10
Man, damn this snow, keeping me from typing on a new keyboard.
My RK-9000 is stuck in Missouri, so I have to keep using this sh!t rubber dome keyboard for a few more days.
I wish my Model M wasn't so useless right now.

(FWIW my Model M was basically rescued from the trash.)
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: williamjoseph on Tue, 01 February 2011, 22:28:00
our storm here is wrapping up. our final total here in Jefferson City Missouri is 18-20 total inches. our city services can not handle it and the Missouri state government is asking no one to drive out untill thursday.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: sLeezy on Tue, 01 February 2011, 22:43:39
Snowpacolypse is here!!! I'm in Chicago too and it's so windy. Snow just flies sideways and feels like a thousand needles piercing your face.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: jpc on Tue, 01 February 2011, 23:37:39
That groundhog better call it spring or he is D-E-A-D.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: quadibloc on Tue, 01 February 2011, 23:43:22
Quote from: iMav;288527
As a North Dakota native, it amazes me how snow storms and blizzards cause so much chaos in areas that should EXPECT them during the winter.
Being aware that it is likely to snow heavily in one's area, and actually being able to move that heavy snow out of the way so that traffic can use the roads... are two different things.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: TexasFlood on Tue, 01 February 2011, 23:46:26
Our snow ended this morning but it's -11 degrees when I was outside an hour ago and was much colder this morning with the wind chill.  Too damn cold for someone who grew up in South Texas...
(http://cbsminnesota.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/coldtemps.jpg?w=420)
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: TexasFlood on Tue, 01 February 2011, 23:57:07
Our snow ended this morning but it's -11 degrees when I was outside an hour ago and was much colder this morning with the wind chill.  Too damn cold for someone who grew up in South Texas...
(http://www.delawareemploymentlawblog.com/freezing%20thermometer.jpg)
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: gun_sl1nger on Wed, 02 February 2011, 06:08:45
Nope. No Blizzard. But here in Australia there is a Category 5 cyclone about to hit FNQ ( Far North Queensland ).

For reference: Bigger than Katrina. 300km/h winds, 9 metre waves moving at 25km/h with a 65 - 70km eye.

People will die, don't know who yet. But people will die.

We have 4000 army/navy troops sitting off the coast ready to setup field hospitals and people have been evacuating for about 48 hours.

Scary scary scary.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: iMav on Wed, 02 February 2011, 07:32:07
We didn't get much snow as of yet.  Lots of wind and drifting overnight...so I can't get out of my back door.  Need to get that taken care of before the dog defaecates all over the house.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: keyboardlover on Wed, 02 February 2011, 07:37:46
We got iced again...lots of branches down and power out. Ride in to work today was fun =)
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 02 February 2011, 07:57:57
Quote from: keyboardlover;288496
Nice boots itlnstln...I'm due for a new pair. What's the actual name of those?


The North Face Beasts.

I was being stealthily punny.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: Lethal Squirrel on Wed, 02 February 2011, 09:26:40
I'm in Michigan, we got hit pretty hard. I had a hard time getting my front door open
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: MissileMike on Wed, 02 February 2011, 09:34:11
18+ inches here in Chicago.  Don't know if the snowblower will get through it or not- about to find out!
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: keyboardlover on Wed, 02 February 2011, 09:36:22
Try strapping a rocket to it ;)

Does an Industrial Model M double as a shovel?
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: firestorm on Wed, 02 February 2011, 09:45:03
I'm in Michigan as well; got dumped on pretty good.  It took me an hour to clear our 16' x 85' driveway this morning with a good sized snowblower.  Even then, I don't think our minivan would do well on the streets.  I have a fullsize 4x4 and that's the only reason I even attempted to drive to work.  Our neighborhood wasn't too bad, thanks to residential snow plows dragging their plows, but I hit some pretty deep snow when I hit the intersection at the first main road.  That's where I'm sure the van would've got hung up.  As it was, even with my truck, I had to back up and try again, after I sank when I stopped.

FWIW, I guesstimate that the snow was about 17-20" deep in the middle of our driveway, between the house and neighbors garage.  It was about 12-"15" everywhere else.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 02 February 2011, 10:03:56
I'm  living in  New England  and the  whole winter's been a  stinking blizzard. Got  18" in  the  first  storm (which was  a blizzard),  30" in  the next (was not a  blizzard),  10" in the next, and countless other  storms that dropped at least  5".

It all boiled down  to  two feet of hard,  packed snow that I had to  shovel  off my  shed roof the other day so  it wouldn't collapse.  My driveway's also surrounded with a  wall of snow 4'-6' deep from clearing it with the  snowthrower  machine.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: Pylon on Wed, 02 February 2011, 10:11:03
You got that right MW.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 02 February 2011, 10:15:23
I  can't stand  New England winters in the  first place, and this has just been insane.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: TexasFlood on Wed, 02 February 2011, 10:15:41
Guess I shouldn't be whining about my subzero temps but without a lot of snow.  Overall we have had abnormally mild weather here lately, seems like all the really bad stuff moved out to the New England area.  We don't want it back, send it to someone else when you're done with it, :wink:.

(http://www.nationnews.com/images/cached/inc/uploads/articles/Snow_in_New_York-450x350.jpg)
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 02 February 2011, 10:26:34
Here's the result of me measuring some snow in  my yard with  the yard stick.
(http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/4895/dscn0210m.jpg)

The  snow also  degrades the  view out  of my  basement windows.
(http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/2962/dscn0265x.jpg)
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: firestorm on Wed, 02 February 2011, 10:52:18
Doh!  We've had a very mild winter here, until today.  We usually get dumped on regularly, with lake effect snow.  This was the first where I really had to use the snowblower.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Wed, 02 February 2011, 11:02:42
The winter is really bad here in CT... As of today there have been two major building collapses due to the weight of all the snow.

Oh, and I just remembered... Isn't today Groundhog Day?  I'm half expecting that dumbass rodent to say that it will be an early spring...
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 02 February 2011, 11:10:42
He probably can't get out of his hole because of all the  snow.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: firestorm on Wed, 02 February 2011, 12:36:26
The Groundhog did in fact predict an early spring.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: quadibloc on Wed, 02 February 2011, 13:16:49
Here in Edmonton, it was really cold (minus 20 on Monday - Fahrenheit; minus 30 Celsius) on Monday and Tuesday, but no snow. (We do have piles of snow on the ground, though; we had our snowstorm early last week.)

Today, it's above freezing.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: bpiphany on Wed, 02 February 2011, 13:41:31
I heard they have had a fun winter on the island Bornholm this year =D http://www.google.se/images?hl=sv&q=snow%20bornholm
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 02 February 2011, 13:48:39
(http://www.hovberg.se/resmi/snow_road.jpg)

How do they  clear that?
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 02 February 2011, 13:55:14
Quote from: MissileMike;288774
18+ inches here in Chicago.


San Antonio got 18+ inches when I got back in town from my vacation...

Wait...
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: HaaTa on Wed, 02 February 2011, 13:56:07
Very large snowblowers. Common in Canadian mountain communities.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: bpiphany on Wed, 02 February 2011, 14:00:22
Quote from: microsoft windows;288896
Show Image
(http://www.hovberg.se/resmi/snow_road.jpg)


How do they  clear that?


It wasn't that bad on Bornholm though. It is supposedly from Japan
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: RoboKrikit on Wed, 02 February 2011, 14:10:56
Didn't get much snow here in North Texas, but my entire neighborhood has been covered in about 6mm of solid ice since yesterday morning.  The sidewalks and street look like a frozen pond.

Quote from: microsoft windows;288896
Show Image
(http://www.hovberg.se/resmi/snow_road.jpg)


How do they  clear that?


Dunno, but the way trains do it is pretty cool.



Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: TexasFlood on Wed, 02 February 2011, 14:11:00
Quote from: itlnstln;288903
San Antonio got 18+ inches when I got back in town from my vacation...

Wait...

Hah.  It does show every so often in Texas, even in places like Galveston.  I think it snowed there in 2004 and 2008.

(http://www.expree.net/Lasbrisas/images/GalSnowman01.jpg)
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: quadibloc on Wed, 02 February 2011, 16:23:45
Quote from: microsoft windows;288896
How do they  clear that?
Two things.

The snow from the road doesn't necessarily get dragged all the way out somewhere. They can just dump it on the ground to the side of the road.

And the really high snow to either side of the road: that isn't just from one snowstorm. That's from the whole winter. because they never send snowplows to take the snow off the grass. (They would knock the trees down.)
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: HaaTa on Wed, 02 February 2011, 17:55:35
Quote from: PrinsValium;288907
It wasn't that bad on Bornholm though. It is supposedly from Japan


Oh yeah, I remember going through a place with that much snow on one of my ski trips in Honshu.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: Pylon on Wed, 02 February 2011, 18:29:59
Quote from: TexasFlood;288912
Hah.  It does show every so often in Texas, even in places like Galveston.  I think it snowed there in 2004 and 2008.

Show Image
(http://www.expree.net/Lasbrisas/images/GalSnowman01.jpg)


I thought that guy was building a snowman on railroad tracks, though turns out he wasn't.

That would be cool though. Build a snowman on the railroad tracks, and wait for a train to come. Wham. Though likely illegal.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: TexasFlood on Fri, 04 February 2011, 09:29:10
Quote from: Pylon;289043
I thought that guy was building a snowman on railroad tracks, though turns out he wasn't.

That would be cool though. Build a snowman on the railroad tracks, and wait for a train to come. Wham. Though likely illegal.


That snowman was on a deck on the Galveston beach where they don't often get a chance to a chance to build snowmen.

I doubt snow would do much to a train, unless it metal inside.  I'll have ask my wife.  She grew in a small town in Illinois.  I mean the population was around 60-70 people.  Her uncle worked for the railroad and the train tracks literally ran through her back yard.  I know they regulary put pennies on the track to flatten out so have to ask her what else.  Although with an uncle working for the railroad in such a small town maybe they wouldn't have tried anything crazy.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: TexasFlood on Fri, 04 February 2011, 09:56:41
Quote from: itlnstln;288903
San Antonio got 18+ inches when I got back in town from my vacation...

Wait...

I'm just East of San Antonio now which is still mostly shut down.  I saw folks on the news walking out in the middle of IH35 to take a picture of the highway.  This is not something that is normally advisable as IH35 is typically one of the busiest roads around but it's like a ghost town out there right now  There was only an inch or so of snow but it fell on top of a sheet of ice formed by freezing rain last night.  I'm not going out on the roads until it melts off a bit.  There is relatively little snow removal / deicing equipment down here and people have no idea how to drive in these conditions.  That doesn't stop some folks from trying though and there are wrecks all over and I don't want to be one of them.

(http://media.kens5.com/images/600*334/20110204-kens-fb-car-snow-writing.jpg)
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 04 February 2011, 10:03:21
****, I'm stuck at the crib working from home.  Where are you at?  Seguin?  If you're here through the weekend, we ought to meet for lunch, or something.  You could even stop by for the Super Bowl.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: TexasFlood on Fri, 04 February 2011, 10:04:26
(http://media.kens5.com/images/600*334/20110204-kens-fb-car-snow-writing.jpg)
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: TexasFlood on Fri, 04 February 2011, 10:16:59
Quote from: itlnstln;289737
****, I'm stuck at the crib working from home.  Where are you at?  Seguin?  If you're here through the weekend, we ought to meet for lunch, or something.  You could even stop by for the Super Bowl.

Damn, I screwed up and deleted my earlier post without saving a copy.  Sum it up, San Antonio had freezing rain and an inch of snow and is in the process of thawing out of a shut down.

Yes I'm in Seguin.  I'm here through the weekend but unfortunately am here for a family funeral.  Would be nice to put a face to a name from the geekhack forums, maybe next time I'm here.  My wife and kids are flying into Austin later today so hoping I can swing in and get them after everything thaws out and before it refreezes, :wink:.

San Antonio car with snow on it... (http://media.kens5.com/images/600*334/20110204-kens-fb-car-snow-writing.jpg)
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 04 February 2011, 10:21:12
Sorry to hear about your loss.  I hope I35 clears up so you can get your family; it was a cluster-**** this morning.  Hit me with a PM next time you're in town and we can meet up.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: Bern on Fri, 04 February 2011, 12:16:55
I like how Austin shuts down with a little snow even though the roads aren't actually that bad.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 04 February 2011, 14:06:47
I feel you.  I got stuck at home working today.  S'aright.  I get to wear PJs and listen to music over speakers.  I'm good.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: keyboardlover on Fri, 04 February 2011, 14:16:16
I got to WFH a few weeks ago when we got a ton of snow. Coding in PJs is NICE!
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 04 February 2011, 15:16:04
Not being able to use my 22" monitor sucks.  I don't know why I don't just have a basic monitor cable laying around somewhere.  Pisses me off.
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: TexasFlood on Sun, 06 February 2011, 09:15:53
Quote from: Bern;289791
I like how Austin shuts down with a little snow even though the roads aren't actually that bad.


My experience in Texas is it's the ice that's dangerous.  And it's not even really the ice as that can be navigated with a bit of care and patience.  It's the others out on the road who don't treat the ice with respect who lose control and come flying at you.  That's why I stay off icy road in Texas, :wink:.

They can't handle the ice!
(http://dwellingintheword.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/you-cant-handle-the-truth.jpg)
Title: Snowmageddon 2011
Post by: Warduke on Sun, 06 February 2011, 10:55:03
Went to bed last night expecting an inch or two of snow this morning, only to find several inches had fallen.

I love shoveling that much snow. :censored: