The Blizzard of 2010: The Aftermath

When I went outside a few minutes ago, I saw something very strange. There was this big, yellow ball in the sky. I came back in and fired up my laptop and put my Google Fu to good work. After doing some exhausted research, I learned what this strange orb was. According to Wikipedia, this object is called the Sun. It's been what seems like forever since we've seen in it, I needed documentary evidence to prove what this object was. I am relieved to know that what I suspected it to be was indeed true.

While outside, I snapped a couple of more photos that show the aftermath of the Blizzard of 2010. I was able to walk around the parking lot in our section of the complex and got some close ups of the reminders of what we experienced over the course of Sunday night and all day yesterday.

The first photo shows where some of the snow was plowed off the parking lot into the courtyard. the peak of this pile is about six feet tall.

The second picture looks like snow on the ground. It is indeed snow on the ground, but the snow has filled up a big hole which acts as a drain with about six feet of snow!

The big pile in the next photo is some of the snow removed from part of the parking lot in front of our apartment. This pile of snow is at least seven feet tall!

I haven't even looked out the back door yet, so I may have more photos to post later today. My best guess of how much snow we got is between two and a half to three feet! It's difficult to tell because it was so windy that the snow didn't exactly settle like it would on a less windy day. In case you missed the live blogging I did yesterday as the blizzard hit us with all its fury, you can look it over right here.

It was quite an experience, as one weather guy put it, to witness tropical storm strength winds with snow falling at 2 or 3 inches per hour. It's still December for a few more days and winter is just getting started here in New England, and I'm confident that we'll get another big blast before it's all said and done. Damn, I miss Texas.  :)

BLIZZARD WARNING FOR AUGUSTA, MAINE!!! UPDATED (Scroll down for Updates)

Snowed In

We just got back from an overnight trip to my wife's hometown of Eastport where we visited with her family. We had a wonderful time and made out like bandits with lots of loot, including a new fishin' pole to me from my father-in-law.  :) We had plenty to eat while we were there also - chicken wings, bacon-wrapped scallops, stuffed shrimp and three kinds of pies. I am still full. It was nice to go back to Eastport because I think we will be moving there in the next few months.

We had planned to only stay last night and maybe all day today, but then this came up. This is not your basic get a foot or two of snow nor'easters, it is a full blown blizzard. Here is the technical definition of a blizzard. We are stocked up at home with plenty to eat and an ample supply of bottled water, so I think we are prepared. The only thing I am concerned about is losing power because we are at 17 degrees at 1:15 PM EST. We would definitely miss the heat if power went out. But we have each other, so it's all good. I'll try to live blog the blizzard as it happens. If you'd like to keep on top of it with me, keep an eye on the blog or Facebook or better yet, subscribe to the blog and updates will be emailed to you automatically. The sing up is in the right side bar.

If you'd prefer to watch things develop on Augusta RADAR, you can do so on Accuweather.com, Weather.com or Intellicast.com. Those are the three best weather websites on the internet. The info you would need to see what is happening where I live is: Augusta, Maine and the zip code is 04330. That will get you to the nitty gritty of the weather situation as it unfolds.

If I am able, I will update as I can with weather info and photos. For those of you who have never experienced a blizzard, it's quite a sight to behold. So,check back when you can and experience what's happening as it takes place here in Maine.

UPDATE: The snow just started falling at 6:37 PM, EST. The blizzard has begun!    

UPDATE 2: 8:22PM EST - The heavier snow moved in about 30 minutes ago. The wind is blowing pretty good now, too. I'll have another update when something good happens.

UPDATE 9:36PM, EST Since my last update about an hour ago, we have received about an inch more of snow. I am headed outside to take some more photos and will post them in a few minutes.

UPDATE: 9:52PM, EST - I took this shot while standing on my front porch. I am looking across the street at another building in our complex. If you look just to the left of dead center of the photo, you'll see a porch light about 100 yards away. I zoomed in to get a good look at it. Let's see if it's visible in another hour or so.

UPDATE 10:54 PM, EST - We've picked up another two inches of snow in the last hour, with about another 8 or 10 inches due overnight and still more for tomorrow. This will be my last update for the night. I should have some good photos for you tomorrow. Until then, Adios.

Toby

Colorado Chronicles : The Bizzard of 2003

 When living in the mountains west of Denver, I saw some pretty bad snowstorms, the worst of which dropped 54 inches of snow on my front yard. That one's a piker compared to the big blast in 2003. The Blizzard of 2003 stands as one of the worst snowstorms in Colorado History. For instance, my good friend Doreen Bob and her family were living in a town called Rollinsville (elev. about 8200 ft.) near where I lived at one time. They got eighty-seven, that's 87(!) inches of snow from this storm. She showed me some pictures of the aftermath and cars were completely buried in snow. Street signs disappeared under snow. Houses (including my Mom's a few miles away) had snow blocking all ground level doorways. It took my Step Dad three days to clear a path from their front door to the street. For the area around Rollinsville-Nederland-Central City and Metro Denver, it took over 1000 workers one week to clear the roads. Amazing. Denver International Airport was shut down as were most business due to the enormous amount of snow. So the next time you think you've got it bad, think of those folks in Colorado held hostage by Jack Frost. Then, you'll realize whatever weather-related inconveniences that got you down ain't so bad.
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