Plugs and Dottles

Mazel Tov

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:59:28 -0400

The last of the February snow melted from my front yard this morning. All the frozen precipitation is at long last gone. Since the Ides are almost upon us, the possibility of more snow in Maryland is rapidly diminishing.

I didn't think I'd live to ever say this but I've had enough snow this year.
K-

Weather Facts About February 2010

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:17:39 -0400

We already know this was the snowiest winter, the snowiest February, the snowiest month on record for Baltimore. Here are a few other winter weather trivia from this meteorological winter just ended, just published in the NWS Monthly Climate Report for BWI-Marshall in February:

1. Baltimore recorded two separate, two-day, double-digit snowfalls in the same month (Feb. 5-6 and Feb. 9-10) for the first time since record-keeping for snow totals began in the 1880s.

2. The two big February storms dropped a combined 44.5 inches of snow at BWI in just six days. It was the most snow ever to fall for any 7-day period on record for Baltimore. The previous record weekly snowfall was 32.6 inches, in Jan. 6-12, 1996.

3. The daily 7 a.m. "climatological snow depth" - the snow measured on the ground at BWI - on Feb. 11 was 34 inches, setting a new record. The report doesn't say what the old record was.

4. The average snow depth for Baltimore in February was 11 inches, the highest average monthly snow depth ever recorded for the city. The previous record was 7 inches, in January 1996.

5. There was at least an inch of snow on the ground at BWI on 22 dates in February. That's the third-highest number of February days with an inch of snow or more on the ground for Baltimore. The highest number is 27 days in 1934, followed by 25 days in 1905.

6. The maximum daily temperature at BWI failed to reach 50 degrees for the entire month. That's the first time that's happened in any month since January 1977, and only the 10th time on record. Even so, February 2010 ranked as only the 22nd coldest February on record here.

I am so glad I was here. I loved it.
K-

Detoriorating Conditions

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:59:56 -0400

Wednesday, 3:07 PM
Things are worse than this morning. Temperature is down to 20.0F with barometric pressure down to 29.29 inches. Winds are strong; horizontal snow.
K-

Another Body Blow

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:11:50 -0400

Mother Nature continues punching the mid-Atlantic region.

Snow.

I awoke to 7 inches of new fluffy snow in the driveway, a 27.9F temperature, and a 29.35 inch barometric pressure rapidly falling. A blizzard warning is posted for Howard County until 7 PM.

More snow is on the way. The NWS is calling for 12 to 20 inches by tonight.

This is the most snow I've ever seen.
K-

Blizzard Warning

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:30:00 -0400

Statement as of 7:46 AM EST on February 10, 2010

... Blizzard Warning now in effect until 7 PM EST this evening...
... Winter Storm Warning is cancelled...

The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has cancelled the Winter Storm Warning. The Blizzard Warning is now in effect until 7 PM EST this evening.

* Precipitation type... snow.

* Accumulations... 10 to 20 inches.

* Timing... snow will continue through this evening. Heaviest snowfall is expected this morning through early afternoon.

* Temperatures... mid and upper 20s.

* Winds... winds will become northwest increasing to 20 to 30 mph with gusts around 45 mph. Blowing and drifting snow will reduce visibilities to a quarter mile or less at times producing blizzard conditions.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow are expected or occurring. The combination of snow and strong winds will make travel very hazardous.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions... making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you must travel... have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded... stay with your vehicle.

White Death 2010: Clean-Up

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:16:22 -0400

Digging out began today. I had shoveled half of my driveway yesterday with the help of my neighbors. Today I shoveled from about 8 AM till 11:15 AM, and with more help from my wonderful neighbors, had everything shoveled. I declared victory.

Woodstock got about 28 inches of snow. There were areas further east that received well over 30 inches. Woodstock is not usually reckoned on maps, so the Sykesville measurement - borne out by spot checks around the yard - puts the total at well more than 2 feet. The total snowfall this winter at BWI is 60.4 inches. The all-time record is 62.5 inches set in 1995-96.

Howard County plows did a yeoman job. The had the street cleared by 8:15 AM. They were truly phenomenal. After lunch I drove up to the supermarket and the roads were cleared as well as could be expected. Snow dunes were everywhere. Checking intersections before turning and extra caution watching for pedestrians will be required for weeks.

The funniest thing I saw was up at the local village center. A Chinese restaurant is up there and, evidently, the businesses are required to clear the areas in front of their businesses. I passed by this guy out in front of the restaurant clearing away the snow with a wok spatula. Priceless.

A snapshot of the aftermath is below.

This is probably it for blogging. I'll likely go back into hibernation. But I did want to live blog the big blizzard of 2010.

By the way, more snow is predicted for Tuesday. A winter storm watch is already posted.
K-

White Death 2010: It Continues

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 07:38:47 -0400

Saturday, 4:30 PM
The snow has stopped. Temperature is 27.5F. Low tonight forecast to be 12F.

Saturday, Noon
The snow continues. I shoveled snow for two hours. With the help of several wonderful neighbors I was able to clear a path big enough for one car to get out. That is if Howard County plowed the street, which isn't supposed to happen till Monday. (According to the Howard County website.) There is about two feet of snow outside but the wind is such that getting an accurate measurement is problematic. Temperature is 25.6F. Barometric pressure is 29.27 inches and rising.

Saturday, 7:45 AM
The NWS changed the winter storm warning that was in effect into a blizzard warning until 10 PM. A blizzard doesn't necessarily have a lot of snow. It's the snow coupled with the wind that is the issue. Visibility is greatly diminished. Folks are already out shoveling. Temperature is down to 26.6F. Barometric pressure is 29.25 inches and falling.

Saturday, 7:17 AM
People, we have a boat load of snow. It's a huge amount of snow for anywhere, let alone Maryland. The NWS says that Columbia already has 24 inches, Elkridge 30.3 inches. The driveways in the neighborhood shoveled last night just to get ahead are now completely filled in. The winds are fierce. While I have yet to measure it, there appears to be more than 2 feet out on the Woodstock weather deck. The temperature is 26.7F.

Snowfall Amounts in Howard County

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 07:00:07 -0400

From a 12:15 PM NWS public statement:

.. Howard County...
   2 W Elkridge 30.3 600 am 2/06 swe 2.73- 3-4 hr rate
   1 ENE Glenelg 29.0 1123 am 2/06 tree limbs broken
   1 WSW Savage 28.5 1000 am 2/06 2.99 liq equiv
   2 N Columbia 27.9 900 am 2/06
   1 SSE Simpsonville 27.3 1030 am 2/06
   1 ESE Ellicott City 26.0 800 am 2/06
   1 N Savage 25.0 1100 am 2/06
   2 se Gaither 20.0 700 am 2/06 cocorahs

From a 7:00 AM NWS public statement:

Howard County...
   2 W Elkridge 30.3 600 am 2/06 swe 2.73- 3-4 hr rate
   2 N Columbia 24.0 430 am 2/06 thunder... lwe 2.32 in
   1 ENE Glenelg 21.0 418 am 2/06 spotter
   1 SSE Simpsonville 20.1 325 am 2/06 spotter
   1 N Savage 20.0 630 am 2/06 spotter
   1 WSW Savage 13.2 100 am 2/06
   1 N Simpsonville 10.5 238 am 2/06

K-

White Death 2010: It Begins

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:58:37 -0400

Friday, 10:30 PM
Bedtime. The wind has picked up noticeably. Calm during the day, winds have started to send eddies of snow off the roofs. Driveways just shoveled are accumulating drifts. The forecasters the height of the storm is yet to come. Temperature is 30.1F.

Friday, 9:25 PM
The snow continues. People are already out shoveling their driveways in what is likely to be a vain attempt to stay ahead of the accumulation. As I type, I hear a snow blower off in the distance. The overnight hours are when the storm is to be its worst. Temperature is 30.7F.

Friday, 6:54 PM
About 3 inches of snow has fallen. Temperature 31.6F. The snow is wet and heavy. My bushes are bowed under the weight already.

Friday, 5:33 PM
Sunset. Though the twilight will last till a little after six. With the sun gone down, there will be no solar radiation keeping temperatures above freezing. The roadway that has been relatively clear will start to cover. The snowfall seems to have diminished somewhat. Temperature steady at 32.5F.

Friday, 4:46 PM
A Howard County snow truck just buzzed down the street spewing salt. The first of many visits, I'm sure. It's plow wasn't down. The snow is finally starting to stick on the pavement. The intensity has increased: big, fat flakes are falling. Temperature is 32.5F.

Friday, 4:02 PM
A kid just traipsed through the backyard with a snow board on his head. Not sure where he's going since there are no hills of any consequence nearby. Snow continues to come down though it's less intense than it was at 3:08. The snow has yet to stick to driveway and road presumably from all the salt left there on Wednesday when the last snow hit. Temperature is 33F.

Friday, 3:08 PM
The rate of snowfall has picked up noticeably and the size and density of the falling snow has increased. A light skim of flakes covers the tops of the grass. I filled the feeding stations so birds have something to eat. All the fire wood I have is in the garage. The winds have been light all day.

Friday, 12:30 PM
I have taken a shower in preparation for dashing out of the house one last time before who knows when. I need to mail some care packages to Andrew and Danny. I have enough beer and wine. Oh, and food. I have enough of that, too. The rate of snowfall has picked back up to where it was initially. Nothing is sticking yet.

Friday, 11:45 AM
The snowfall has eased somewhat. Not as heavy as when it first started.

Friday, 11:15 AM
Kids in the neighborhood have started arriving home from school. Howard County Public Schools decided last night to close 3 hours early today.

Friday, 10:50 AM
In light of the impending disaster, I decided to work at home today. Looking up from my laptop, I see the snow has started. Small, light flakes. Nothing special. An inauspicious beginning.

Winter Storm Warning: Friday

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:00:00 -0400

Statement as of 11:54 AM EST on February 05, 2010

... Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 10 PM EST Saturday...

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 10 PM EST Saturday.

* Precipitation type... heavy snow.

* Accumulations... widespread storm total accumulations of 20 to 30 inches... with some locations in excess of 30 inches.

* Timing... snow will continue through Saturday evening. Conditions will deteriorate rapidly this afternoon... with heaviest snowfall occurring from sunset through Saturday morning. The most hazardous conditions will occur tonight.

* Visibilities... widespread visibilities around one-quarter mile are expected tonight in heavy snow. Strong winds will combine with the snow along the Maryland Chesapeake Bay and tidal Potomac River to reduce visibilities to well below one-quarter mile... producing near-blizzard conditions tonight through Saturday morning.

* Temperatures... highs in the lower 30s today. Temperatures will be in the mid to upper 20s tonight and Saturday.

* Winds... becoming northeast 10 to 20 mph late today. Gusts of 20 to 30 mph tonight and Saturday... higher near the coast.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

This extremely dangerous storm is expected to produce record snowfall for the Baltimore and Washington DC metropolitan areas. Travel conditions tonight across the region will be extremely hazardous and life-threatening. Help your local and state government first responders and transportation agencies by staying off the roads.

A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow are expected or occurring. Strong winds are also possible... especially near the coastline.

Kramar

Special Weather Statement: Friday

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:55:00 -0400

Statement as of 12:34 PM EST on February 05, 2010

... Record snowfall forecast in the Baltimore-Washington DC region...

... Extremely dangerous winter weather conditions developing tonight...

Gusty northeast winds 20 to 30 mph with visibilities frequently falling below one-quarter mile due to heavy snow will develop tonight to produce near-blizzard and extremely hazardous winter weather conditions tonight through Saturday morning. Travel is highly discouraged tonight and will be very dangerous.

Looking back at the biggest storm of record for Washington DC... the January 1922 Knickerbocker storm... 28.0 inches of snow was produced from 3.02 inches of liquid water. Current forecasts for this event have total liquid falling from this storm approaching 3
inches... which accordingly would create a snowfall that will rival the Knickerbocker storm total. Generally across the region... 20 to 30 inches of snow will fall by Saturday evening.

Baltimores record of 26.8 inches from the presidents day February 2003 storm will also be threatened.

A few precautionary and preparedness items to note:

1. Follow manufacturers instructions when operating a generator or axillary heater. Ensure portable generators are adequately ventilated.

2. Travel conditions tonight across the region will be extremely dangerous and life threatening. Help your local and state government first responders and transportation agencies by staying off roads later this evening and tonight.

3. Follow local and state government emergency declaration orders. If you absolutely need to travel in an emergency... do not travel alone. Let someone know your timetable and your primary and alternate routes. Carry with you a winter storm survival kit which includes a Mobile phone... blankets... flashlight with extra batteries... high calorie non-perishable food and water... and a shovel.

4. If you get stranded in your vehicle... do not leave your car to try to walk for assistance... you can quickly become disoriented in wind driven snow and cold. This storm will subside Saturday afternoon... so wait in your car for emergency help to arrive. Periodically run your engine for about 10 minutes each hour for heat. Ensure your exhaust pipe is cleared of snow and ice. Crack your windows to avoid Carbon monoxide poisoning. Tie a colored cloth to your cars antenna to be visible to rescuers. From time-to-time... move your arms... legs... fingers... and toes to keep blood circulating.

5. Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Break the shoveling down into smaller jobs and take frequent breaks.

6. In case of power supply disruptions... have available flash lights with extra batteries... extra food and water... extra medicines.

7. Ensure any pets and farm animals have plenty of water... food... and shelter.

Finally... the key to getting through this and other periods of hazardous winter weather is with advance planning and being aware of current conditions. This storm will be winding down early Saturday evening... so do your part and let your local and state governments restore roadways to normal conditions by staying at home.

Live Blogging White Death 2010

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:50:00 -0400

I'd kind of gotten away from blogging. That's fairly evident since my last blog post was more than 9 months ago. Loss of interest and a busy professional life damped my enthusiasm for the blogosphere.

But this is too good, too important, too cataclysmic to pass up: White Death 2010.

The National Weather Service forecasters out of Sterling, VA, have been predicting a dire situation for the mid-Atlantic region all week. Snow. And lots of it. Massive amounts. More snow than we can possibly imagine.

Marylanders don't like winter. I think I'm the only one here who does. If it gets cold, Marylanders whine. If it snows, not only do Marylanders whine but they drive badly usually on their way to the grocery stores which become jam-packed with angry, frustrated shoppers making sure they have enough Charmin and Steakums to last till June.

We don't do snow well.

The forecast for snow has been growing all week. On Wednesday, the NWS was predicting 12 to 18 inches. Thursday they upped it to 16 to 24 inches. Today predictions call for 2 feet or more of snow perhaps breaking the 26.8 inch record set on President's Day 1983. I've got to live blog this.

Life as Maryland knows it is about to be turned upside-down.
K-

I Know It's Only Nature But I'm Still the Villain

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:28:42 -0400

(Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know... more birds. But that's why God invented the back key.)

I was at the hardware store Saturday afternoon and noticed suet cakes on sale. I usually stop feeding suet to the birds during warm weather because suet can melt and get disgusting. But the cakes were cheap and I thought, "Why not one more round?"

I bought two cakes.

Not an hour later I was standing on my deck looking out at my feeding stations, the suet feeder freshly filled with two blocks of hardware store suet. On the feeder clung a downy woodpecker happily pecking away at the fresh fat. "Boy, that didn't take long," I congratulated myself, glad I decided to go with the suet one more time.

Then from the right, between my neighbor's house and mine, I watch a Cooper's hawk glide in not six feet above the ground - silent as a wraith - heading directly toward the feeders. It pulls-up in midair, hovers momentarily right by the suet feeder, plucks off the woodpecker in a flash, and flies into the woods carrying the hapless, unsuspecting bird.

I knew my feeders were a favorite haunt for area hawks. I've seen remains before. But this was the first time I'd actually witnessed a nab. And a downy! Why couldn't it have been a house sparrow? I felt very bad.

As they say, no good deed goes unpunished.
K-

First Hummingbird

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 06:16:59 -0400

I filled the hummingbird feeders for the first time this year on Saturday. My first ruby-throat arrived this morning. A male, gorget ablaze.

Despite the last 3 days in the 90s, summer is officially in Maryland.
K-

Addendum: On the way to work a pileated woodpecker flew right over my car as I drove down US-29. What a great bird day.

Things Are Just So Slow

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:53:02 -0400

"Succotash" and "lima" are not in my cell phone's predictive text dictionary.

Oh... I also like toast.
K-