February 1-5, 2011 Arctic Blast/Winter Storm Discussion

[cisa]

it's not a "sick joke", It's weather in Texas...unpredictable. Each life lost is tragic, but imaging what it might be if school busses were running. I have to go to work this morning and so did my husband. It wasn't what I planned, but I can't be all angry at others for MotherNature' unwillingness to share her secrets. if this does happen next week, most of us will be here. Every stay safe and warm.

[srainhoutx]

Good Morning. Well, we didn’t get snow, we got something worse. Ice. I spent the last half hour reading some of the over night posts and I know some are disappointed, but we have to remember there are no guarantees in weather. As David Paul said this morning, “Mother Nature is going do what Mother Nature wants to do”. As was pointed out by our Pros, that warm layer aloft around 5000 feet was our ‘issue’ regarding any snow chances. Now as far as this being a non event. I’ve lived here all my life, well over 50 years and I’ve seen an ice event or two. We live in a different day in a world that revolves around transportation. Has that been disrupted? I’d say so. Think of all those folks that were injured last evening and overnight and probably into the morning. Look at the economic impacts. How often do we see our airports shut down stranding folks all across the country? Now let’s look at the impacts of the main storm that brought all these shenanigans. Hundreds of thousands of folks all across the Country have no power, 20+ inch snow amounts with blowing and drifting from the Rockies to the East Coast. Record cold into AZ and in our area. This storm system brought the coldest temps we have seen since 89, I believe. Did anyone ‘hype’ this storm? I say no. In fact, I thought we as a community did a good job looking at the realities and went into great depth covering and explaining all the variables. Did our community benefit from our discussions? Yes, they did. What some folks seem to forget that there are far more folks that just view our postings, looking for accurate and reasonable discussions that offer factual information regarding what may or may not happen. Did we provide such information mixed in with our discussions and thoughts? We certainly did. Look at the amount of activity and those folks that chose to come out of ‘lurking mode” to sign up and ask questions and offer input. Many of these folks have been longtime members here in the past and had taken a ‘back seat’ approach during this past year of transition to our new home and all that came about this past year. As for those that are not so careful in choosing your words. I hope that much thought will be given in the future and words are chosen a bit more carefully. Most folks that are active here are not children. They are adults. We do have children viewing though. Many of our folks seem to forget that some of our teachers use our forum as a class room when instructing on science, the atmosphere and the environment we live in. Weather impacts people and their lives. Plain and simple. I suspect many lives have been impacted this past week in some form or fashion. Again, I want to thank our Pros that provide so much of their time and knowledge around this place to keep everyone informed and for offering sound advise and excellent forecasting skills and discussions. As I stated last night, you folks are “Rock Stars” to many of our folks and we appreciate you and the time you offer to our community. Folks, I know that this has been said many times overnight into the morning, but please stay safe and be careful out there. We want to see you back here posting and not injured.

[nuby3]

my friend near mexia git 8 inches. there is one last hope approaching from the west. not moving very quickly, either. higher moisture near coast. FINGERS CROSSED

[lyndie32]

Good Morning. Well, we didn’t get snow, we got something worse. Ice. I spent the last half hour reading some of the over night posts and I know some are disappointed, but we have to remember there are no guarantees in weather. As David Paul said this morning, “Mother Nature is going do what Mother Nature wants to do”. As was pointed out by our Pros, that warm layer aloft around 5000 feet was our ‘issue’ regarding any snow chances. Now as far as this being a non event. I’ve lived here all my life, well over 50 years and I’ve seen an ice event or two. We live in a different day in a world that revolves around transportation. Has that been disrupted? I’d say so. Think of all those folks that were injured last evening and overnight and probably into the morning. Look at the economic impacts. How often do we see our airports shut down stranding folks all across the country? Now let’s look at the impacts of the main storm that brought all these shenanigans. Hundreds of thousands of folks all across the Country have no power, 20+ inch snow amounts with blowing and drifting from the Rockies to the East Coast. Record cold into AZ and in our area. This storm system brought the coldest temps we have seen since 89, I believe. Did anyone ‘hype’ this storm? I say no. In fact, I thought we as a community did a good job looking at the realities and went into great depth covering and explaining all the variables. Did our community benefit from our discussions? Yes, they did. What some folks seem to forget that there are far more folks that just view our postings, looking for accurate and reasonable discussions that offer factual information regarding what may or may not happen. Did we provide such information mixed in with our discussions and thoughts? We certainly did. Look at the amount of activity and those folks that chose to come out of ‘lurking mode” to sign up and ask questions and offer input. Many of these folks have been longtime members here in the past and had taken a ‘back seat’ approach during this past year of transition to our new home and all that came about this past year. As for those that are not so careful in choosing your words. I hope that much thought will be given in the future and words are chosen a bit more carefully. Most folks that are active here are not children. They are adults. We do have children viewing though. Many of our folks seem to forget that some of our teachers use our forum as a class room when instructing on science, the atmosphere and the environment we live in. Weather impacts people and their lives. Plain and simple. I suspect many lives have been impacted this past week in some form or fashion. Again, I want to thank our Pros that provide so much of their time and knowledge around this place to keep everyone informed and for offer sound advise and excellent forecasting skills and discussions. As I stated last night, you folks are “Rock Stars” to many of our folks and we appreciate you and the time you offer to our community. Folks, I know that this has been said many time overnight into the morning, but please stay safe and be careful out there. We want to see you back here posting and not injured.

VERY WELL SAID....I was a member years ago in the old forum....i mostly read and then i pass it on to all my family and their bosses as well!!

[djmike]

Is that SNOW moving into S/SE'n Houston? Is it making it to the ground? Any reports?

[srainhoutx]

Jeff, I know you have more obs than you can handle, but it looks like a general 1/8 to 1/4 ice event up here in NW Harris County. Pines are sagging, but the surface roads are slowly drying.

[nuby3]

my friend near mexia git 8 inches. there is one last hope approaching from the west. not moving very quickly, either. higher moisture near coast. FINGERS CROSSED

I just don't think we're done yet. don't see aything significant happening, but it has not gone yet

[nuby3]

maybe i could see ONE snow shower.

[cisa]

A tip of the hat to you as well Srain. You, the mets and other moderators have had your hands full. Thanks for your hard work.

[kitkat77]

Woke up to between 1/8" and 1/4" glaze of ice all over everything outside. The sidewalks and street are a little slippery, but not coated. However, my car is frozen shut, so it's a good thing I don't have anywhere to go!

[C2G]

Anytime you get ice on the Galveston Causeway......it's a major event. Driving home at 6AM and seeing Galveston P.D. working at least three accidents on that bridge makes you drive extremely cautious.
After the Dec 4th, 2009 snow event I try not to get too worked up over the possibility of snow.
You tend to get angry at people who have no control over weather if you do.
Let Spring come early this year.
nuby, unless that warm layer has magically disappeared, it will be freezing rain.

[updraft]

Good Morning. Well, we didn’t get snow, we got something worse. Ice. I spent the last half hour reading some of the over night posts and I know some are disappointed, but we have to remember there are no guarantees in weather. As David Paul said this morning, “Mother Nature is going do what Mother Nature wants to do”. As was pointed out by our Pros, that warm layer aloft around 5000 feet was our ‘issue’ regarding any snow chances. .................. section deleted to condense and save space (read original post for details) ............................Folks, I know that this has been said many time overnight into the morning, but please stay safe and be careful out there. We want to see you back here posting and not injured.

....................................................

While it is true that all those you mention in your post contribute to make this weather board such a great informative tool - I've got to honestly say srain, you have got to be the best Admin of a forum that I've ever encountered. You not only bring sense and sensibility to the sometimes heated, hectic opinions and thoughts, you also know a thing or two about the weather ... and you can explain it in simple terms for us amateurs - which is greatly appreciated.

With the right participants, any forum can be good .... but to be great, you need continuity, fairness, and respect for those in the forum - and you sir, bring that to this great vehicle of information and shared learning. Thank you for all you do.

[Badfish]

OK, the kids want to call 911 and report mother nauture for fraud!!!!!!!!!

[johnsover]

Lots of ice in Brazoria county, and lucky us, the county didn't sand the bridges last night. They sanded an intersection close to the bridge, but not the bridge. ???
My husband had to go to work this morning and while going up a bridge, he saw a wreck on the other side, so he had to stop on the top of the bridge. The car behind him stopped as well but the next car came up way too fast and rear ended the car behind my husband's truck, then went between the gaurd rail and scraped down the entire side of my husband's truck. The car wasn't able to stop until he was 150 feet past my husband's truck.
He's been sitting on the bridge for over 3 hours now. The tow trucks can't get to the cars, and the police can't get to them either. Finally the county came out with some sand and are trying to get the bridge sanded down.

[lyndie32]

OK, the kids want to call 911 and report mother nauture for fraud!!!!!!!!!

we so need a like button!!! lol

LIKE

[C2G]

OK, the kids want to call 911 and report mother nauture for fraud!!!!!!!!!

Well, our snow event became the Dallas areas snow event.
Sheesh, it's not like they've had a gazillion here in the last few years.

[cisa]

Well I guess I won't be going To work after all. I'm glad b/c it's cold and my car's a block of ice.

[jasons2k]

Same here as a lot of other places - 1/4" - 1/8" coating of ice on everything. Too bad it's not snow even up here on Montgomery County.

[clute28]

If its worth anything I'm getting a light mist here ..don't know if anything will come of it tho

[jasons2k]

Now I'm getting a mixture of flurries, frz rain, snow grains, and sleet all at once.