Mid way through the snow storm report, from Michigan

[Siwsan]

Just finished the first of the day's snow clearing. Since I want to stay on top of the accumulation, and didn't want to wake the neighbors (it was 7am), I used the shovel and put down a nice layer of snow melt. Next round, I will break out the snow blower - that was hard work and it's left me a little winded. It's close to 30 degrees so at least I didn't have the bitter cold added to the mix.

12 hours into the storm, the snow depth is just over 5". If the weather people are right, we are almost half way through the accumulation. I will say it's a very light snow, at this point, but there's still 9 hours left on the warning.

[sufrommich]

1. What area are you in? I'm in the Ann Arbor area

and it's just starting to snow heavy here.I was expecting a lot more snow when I got up than there actually was.

[Siwsan]

3. I'm in Flint

We were supposed to have 2-4" by morning. Since there's no wind or drifting, I think my measurement is pretty good.

I just checked the weather map. The stuff heading our way doesn't LOOK to be getting much heavier, but these storms can change on a dime.

I will say that, so far, there aren't a lot of 911 accident reports, and the road crews are going 3 across, down the freeway. If they stay on top of this, we might just luck out. I think it's fortunate the bulk of the snow will hit on a Sunday, during the day time. Better had it been Saturday.

[sufrommich]

5. One of my best friends lives in the Flint area and

works at a grocery store in Clarkston,she called me after her shift last night and said it was busier than she's ever seen and people were panic buying as if they were going to be stuck in their houses for weeks,she had to go in this morning too.

[Siwsan]

7. I was at the stores, yesterday afternoon

I expected to see panic buying, but didn't really see a whole lot of people! Maybe I was out, too early.

The only thing I saw out of stock, at 4 different stores, was 2 cycle engine oil, which is what I needed for the snow blower. Finally found some.

The warning indicates that the heaviest snow is predicted for later today, so we'll see. It is falling a little heavier than when I was outside, but the snow melt is doing the trick - so far, anyway.

[etherealtruth]

2. I am in metro Detroit (about as far east as you can go)

We have really light snow (at the moment) .... the heaviest snow isn't predicted until later.

I do know Michigan State opened the residence halls a day early, so the students didn't have to try to return today.

We shall see .... it would be nice if we escaped the heaviest snow.

[Siwsan]

4. I see those heavy snow bands on the weather underground 'wundermap'

It's all going to depend on how steady a line the storm travels. The warning is set to end at 10pm, so we would have to start getting in excess of 1" per hour, to hit that 11" they are predicting. I know they set those times at an outside limit because, in my experience, most weather warnings end early. Or, am I just being a little delusional.

[etherealtruth]

6. For "us", they are predicting 6"

... we both know that there can be a huge difference in the snow amounts for the Detroit and Flint areas (even though we are really not that far from each other)

[Siwsan]

9. I just read a possible 6-8 more inches cited in the warning

But, that warning doesn't give any specifics as to where it covers. I'm assuming it's local to Genesee County, but who knows.

I anticipate probably two more driveway clearings. I'm hoping there is a moderate amount of traffic on the subdivision streets since it would pack down the snow and I'd be able to get out, in the morning.

[etherealtruth]

11. Be careful

I am thankful for my very big and very strong 17 year old (vs old me) ... to shovel the drive and walks.

Macomb County is actually pretty good about the major roadways and freeways ... but (like you) the subdivision streets .... not so much

[Siwsan]

16. When they do get around to my street, they will plow my driveway shut

Probably a good 2' of piled up, icy snow. My neighbors and I try to mitigate this by running our snow blowers straight across to the opposite side of the road. Then, when the plow comes by there is less snow on the road to pile up into our driveways.

I've given some thought to getting a plow blade for my riding mower. I just don't know if it's worth the expense for weather that might or might not happen.

[MineralMan]

18. Here's a trick I've found that minimizes that post-plowing issue:

When I snowblow my driveway, I finish up by blowing the snow off the road in an 8' width into the street and up the street next to the curb for the full width of my lot. The result is that the snowplow blade is almost empty by the time it gets to my driveway. The result is a minimal windrow of snow at the end of the driveway after the plow goes by.

My neighbors have started doing that, as well. At least the ones who own good snowblowers do. It's extra work, but saves having to go out after the plows and deal with the muck they leave behind. The important part is clearing that 8' wide path on the street in front of your lot. I just blow that snow up on the parkway next to my sidewalk by adjusting the chute carefully.

[Siwsan]

19. We have a similar trick

One of my neighbors has an ATV with a plow, and he just cleared the road in front of my driveway, across to the opposite curb, with the promise to come back for the rest of the snow. My nearest neighbors have done the same thing. Since we started doing this, a few years ago, we have noticed less debris blocking the driveways. I can usually do that, myself, but my little snow blower starts bogging down when the snow gets deeper than about 7" and compacted.

We are in the calm, right now. I'm still hoping they stick to their accumulation prediction because then we already have over half of the snow expected. Unfortunately, I'm still doubtful that I will be able to get out of the subdivision, tomorrow. I'm hoping for a delayed opening, at work. The air temps, alone, would be treacherous for anyone who has car trouble, on their way to work.

[MineralMan]

20. That helps, but clearing up the street from the driveway

makes even more of a difference. I can do that, since my snowblower is a big two-stage one. I can even use it on the big piles dumped at the end of the driveway, although I hate that job. Once I started my street snow removal plan, I no longer have to do that. It really does work.

The stuff dumped on your driveway doesn't come from in front of your driveway. Instead, as the plow goes down the street, the angled blade picks up snow as it goes and deposits it. The snow in front of your driveway is dumped, but it is snow from up the street. It took me a couple of winters before I figured that out, after watching the plows go by a few times. A light went on in my head, and the trick really works well, if you have a snowblower than can handle the snow in the street.

[Siwsan]

21. I am definitely going to try it, and share it with the neighbors

I might go out this afternoon and give it a go.

I have a VERY long lot line (corner lot) as does my neighbor. If the plows started at our end of the street, we'd be ok. Unfortunately, they never do.

It's just great to know I have neighbors who will keep an eye on the situation, and help me out. I really do live in a great neighborhood.

[MineralMan]

22. Just do about 40-50 feet up the street.

Since I started doing it, I've watched the plows on my street. As the plow passes by my lot, the blade runs out of snow to dump in about 40-50 feet in a normal snowfall. It doesn't begin dumping snow at the curb line again until it gets past my house and partway down my neighbor's lot.

[pintobean]

8. Expecting 8-12" in St. Louis

leaning toward the 12. They're saying there's a strong possibility of thunder snow. If that happens, maybe add a few inches.
So far, we have about 2-3" and it's coming down pretty good with enough wind to blow it onto the porches.
24 degrees and falling.

[etherealtruth]

12. Be safe shoveling

[malaise]

10. Heard that Lake Michigan is frozen

Stay warm

[sufrommich]

14. I think the only Great Lake that can really

freeze over is Lake Erie because it's shallow. I've never heard of Lake Michigan actually freezing over.

[aristocles]

13. Good thing we have global warming

[etherealtruth]

15. Are you conflating local weather with climate?

... or did I miss joking or sarcasm?

[aristocles]

17. LOL! The rabbit hole is this way ---->