Old Man Winter strikes again!

So much for the short taste of spring we received over the last two weeks...

Last Thursday, the weather geeks over at the National Weather Service started talking about a "major winter blast" for the second time in about a month. It used to be when they started saying that, it was a matter of time before the storm arrived... and acted like a yapping little puppy. Annoying but nothing to be upset over.

However, the geeks are getting better at their predictions. In December of 2007, they started going nuts about five days before a significant winter storm. They were right - to the tune of 1/2" to 3/4" of ice. The Christmas Eve Blizzard in 2009 was just that and more. They called that one a week before it hit. The freak "thundersnow" last March was also predicted in advance. The geeks really are getting better.

So when they started saying another storm was coming last week, I paid more attention than I ever have.

Now, I admit, I am a closet weather geek. I would have gone to meteorology school (if it weren't for 4 semesters of Calculus after the one I barely scraped by in...), but I do pay attention when the storms come, and I listen to the geeks' briefings whenever a storm is approaching. This one seemed to freak them out a bit. Then again this one was an odd one...

- It was going over northern Mexico (where they could not accurately monitor it.)
- The timing of it was going to be interesting as a cold front was rolling down from Canada.

So, as the week progressed the predictions changed quickly and drastically. One day it was supposed to dump 10"-15" in a broad swath from OKC to Tulsa and on towards Missouri. later teh same day, it moved north so my friends and co-workers from Bartlesville would have been digging out. But the big change came on Wednesday. I noticed a forecast map that showed significant ICE accumulations over NE Oklahoma. Within an hour, everyone was freaking out. The governor declared a "State of Emergency." All of the news stations were running stories about crazy grocery stores and places that had gadgets like hand-crank charge radios. I think a blizzard and a disastrous ice storm in the last 26 months had helped everyone understand this was the real deal.

So, we did what every Okie does when snow is forecast. Head to the store. But we did our shopping (fortunately) before the word about the storm had spread too far. We got all of our stuff done so we didn't have to get out into the mess.

The ice started in earnest Thursday afternoon while I was at work. The bosses turned us loose about 4:15 and that was very nice since I was able to go home my normal way without facing a ton of traffic. I got home and put down some icemelt on the driveway and sidewalk - and listen to the joyous sounds of transformers exploding in the distance. The worst of the ice came shortly after that and glazed the trees, powerlines and anything that wasn't on the ground.

This morning, I woke up and started to get ready for work. When I looked out side, several cars had made it down the street without much issue, so I kept on dressing for Friday at work. That's when Sarah heard on the news that roads were getting more slick west of town as the temperature was dropping. Bridges were glazed over. When you have several to pass over to get to the office, you don't want to take that chance. (Fortunately I brought some work home for the weekend - I can stay billable even tough I'm at home!)

The precipitation turned into snow about 11:00 AM and as I type this it hasn't stopped. We took some pics to document the event.

So the moral of this story? Even when freaked out, listen to the weather geeks at the National Weather Service.

Stay safe...

R

The Problem Solver

Yesterday afternoon I was chauffeuring Cat to her choir practice, with Miri in tow. Cat was discussing the upcoming cruise and taking advantage of the fact we were "trapped" in a car together to put in her requests for souvenirs. First and foremost she wants BIG Mickey Mouse Gloves and a toy. She and I were having a discussion about what exactly constitutes a toy in her book, I was of the opinion that Mickey Mouse Gloves were a toy. I am apparently wrong. While Cat and I were banttering back and forth Miri all of a sudden says:

"Everyone stop talking" (At that point I glanced in my rear view mirror and could see her waving her arms in a cease and desists fashion.)

"Cat, I have a solution to your problem" (yes those were her exact words! I could barely contain my laughter)

"Just make Aunt Sarah buy you a coach set like mine" (she is referring to a weebble wobble toy she has)

O.M.G.~!!!!!!!! Did my THREE YEAR OLD just say that! Yes she did!!! Cat and I of course started cracking up!!