Thousands in Northeast Still Without Power

[lovuian]

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/redir.php?jid=cdf477950dc675aa&cat=c08dd24cec417021

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) -- About 200,000 homes and businesses still lacked power across the Northeast on Saturday as temperatures plummeted following a storm with hurricane-force wind gusts that was blamed for four deaths.

Wind was still blowing at about 30 mph through the region Saturday. On Friday, wind of more than 60 mph buffeted the Rochester area and a 77-mph gust was recorded at the city's airport, the weather service said.

The storm swept out of the Midwest on Friday, carrying a wave of bitterly cold air. Temperatures in some parts of western New York plunged from 60 degrees to below freezing within a few hours. Parts of Arkansas had 5.5 inches of snow Saturday and freezing temperatures extended across the state. Hayward, Wis., had a morning low of 26 below zero, and afternoon temperatures in the Upper Midwest were in only the single digits Saturday.

The frigid temperatures forced officials in Madison, Wis., which had a high 3 degrees on Saturday, to cancel the "Polar Plunge" into a lake, a fundraiser for the Special Olympics.

more...
Strange weather...

[tatertop]

1. Winter's last hurrah

Looks like it is all up from here.
Looks like Winter is totally whipped ;)

[Tab]

3. Yeah right.

You don't live in northern New England, I guess.

Winter's just getting into its groove.

[tatertop]

4. Really? I think we have seen the worst of it and it is on it's way out.

Another no winter winter.

[Tab]

6. I don't know

I've lived in the Vermont / NH region for 38 years now...

Invariably we have a warm spell in February, followed by a chilling reminder that winter is still on the loose.

As much as we like to think March is the start of Spring, often the heaviest snowstorms, with 1+ feet of snow, fall in late February and early March.

I've only used my snowblower once this year - quite unusual - but I'd expect to get some big-arsed storms in March. At least one good one, if not more.

Not a guarantee, but 90% of the time, it's what's been happening.

This year we've had some warmer temps, but we've also had a remarkable lack of precipiation. That can all change in March.

But who knows - we won't know until it's over. All I know is that I still have a couple of cord of wood waiting to be burned, a hot tub that still works, and another 6 weeks to get through. After that, I'll haul out the MG and it's springtime convertible weather (yay!)

[tatertop]

8. MGA? MGB? MGTD?

I restored vintage racers for many years.
Morris Garage made one damn fun auto.

[Tab]

10. MGB

Though I'd love an MGA

[WePurrsevere]

9. Your experience & memory pretty much mirrors ours here in Northern NY.

It's been an odd Winter overall... very little snow and warm enough that the St. Lawrence River and other local waterways haven't frozen as solid as they usually do. Even the ground hasn't been as frozen as usual (as we found out when we had to bury our old Golden a couple of weeks ago. :( )

I'm sorry to hear about your roof. We got the 60 - 70 mph winds as well but thankfully not the 100+ recorded near where you are and we seem to have only lost a few shingles off of our garage (the house has a metal roof which seems to stand up better to the wild winds, ice and snow we get off and on).

As you said there's probably plenty of "real" Winter left. Although it will gradually get warmer we tend to expect that when that warmth combines with the moisture of "Spring" we'll also be more likely to get hit with some real snow possibly even into mid-April.

Well... Hopefully the power will be on soon for those without. Although the power company actually told me that "people don't need electricity" I know that most folks heat is dependant on it.


edited to hopefully make a bit more sense.

[Tab]

2. Although you didn't quote it from the article

it said that Stratton Mountain had a record wind gust of 143 mph.

It's only 12 miles from where I grew up (I used to teach skiing there, and later worked in other positions there).

It's not a hugely tall mountain - it gets some nasty wind sometimes, but not of the order that I would expect 143 mph.

I live about 2+ hrs away now, and we had gusts up to 70 mph and it ripped the roof off of my garage. To even imagine a gust of 143 mph there just blows me away, no pun intended.

[lovuian]

5. WHOAH!!!

Down in Houston we call that Tropical storm winds and getting close to hurricane force winds... WOW...

[Tab]

7. I currently live near Mount Washington

which is known for the worst weather in the world (highest wind speeds and very cold), but Mt Washington is part of the White Mountain range, which is younger and higher and more craggy (more Colorado-ish).

Stratton is part of the Green Mountain range, much older and smoother and not as tall.

So to get 143 mph on Stratton?? When I was there, we closed the lifts at stuff approaching 50 mph. I mean, it's a decent ski mountain, but not known for that kind of wind.

Then again, I never lost my roof before either... so....