How bad is the snow in the northeast this year?
Bad.
Particularly in Boston and environs. It’s not just the totals but the timing:
If you’re wondering what the big deal is about snow in Boston, this is it: 78.5 inches of snow has fallen in Beantown this winter, which is more than 50 inches beyond what they typically see by now. Even so, you may be skeptical of the superlative. They are used to snow, right?
The most peculiar thing about this season is that of those 78.5 inches, 65.6 of them have fallen in the 16 days since Jan. 27.
It’s difficult to convey the significance of how many records Boston has obliterated this season ”” 5-, 7-, 10-, 20-, 30- and 40-day snow records all within a couple of weeks, plus the snowiest February on record.
It’s not just Boston, of course. It looks like this pretty much everywhere:
One of the unusual things about this season is that the snow isn’t melting, as it usually does with some days above 32 degrees in the sun. This year it’s way way too cold for much melt at all. That, along with the storms’ coming in rapid succession, has led to record snow cover.
On the other hand, at least we’re not getting ice. It’s way way too cold for that, too.
The people in charge of plowing the streets are ordinarily very good at their job, but I guess there’s a limit and we’ve come close to reaching it. The piles are too tall already, and trucks have had to siphon off the snow and take it somewhere else. But that’s just too big a task to do very effectively, although the number of what’s called “snow farms” has proliferated.
The reality is that for the past month or so a storm has come every few days. And tonight another blizzard is forecast. Everyone’s adjusting; we just believe we have shifted to someplace in Alaska and that’s where we all live now—although Alaska may have moved somewhere south of here (this article is a month old and therefore may be outdated, but this year Alaska seems to be relatively snowless).
I have a full length down coat that I’ve owned for about fifteen years, and some winters I don’t even wear it. But that sure isn’t true this winter; I’d had it on every day, sometimes plus my heavy fleece helmet/facemask.
And big boots, of course. The trouble with boots is that despite their lining and thickness my feet freeze anyway. I stay inside much more than usual, as does everyone.
But sometimes inside is pretty cold, too (the “inside” part starts at minute 1:03):
Even with a thin wool sock liner and then a thicker wool sock?
Silk liner socks are even better, if you can find them. Polyester, if you can’t. Those same liners are also wonderful at preventing blisters when breaking in new hunting boots, as I expect Neo does every so often.
I feel your pain but what can we do since we have global warming? We live in Maine. With all of the coast we have, it would be attractive to dump the snow in the ocean. However, apparently either the DEP or EPA has banned that.
Interesting old story. Many years ago, I worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad (yes, that IS many years ago). A brilliant, up and coming Superintendent in Chicago was faced with a similar winter to this year’s and had no place to put the snow. He told an engineer to assemble a train of open gondola railcars. He then had all of the cars loaded with snow. He told the engineer to drive the train South until the snow melted. It Worked!!
Here in southern Maine, we have already had 96 inches of snow and are tired of it. Only one message – Cherish your snowblower!
Brother in – law and his family live in the countryside near Andover, MA. They are tired of shoveling the roof and endless snow. We have had snow cover since just before Christmas, but nothing like what has happened in New England. Biggest issue has been the cold and wind chills reaching – 30. February is often a month of tough weather. Hang in there, soon it will be March.
It’s been unusually warm here in Utah, daytime temperatures in the 50’s and no snow left on the valley floor. Sure beats those -30F degree winters that come along now an then.
Sorel Boots, I live in Montana and these work like a champ.
Don Carlos: I live where I’ve never really needed sock liners, but this December our family went to a dark sky area north of here to watch the Geminids meteor shower. We were going to be sitting out in the cold at night so I bought some liners for everyone. I bypassed the smartwools and got the cheaper polyester ones. Two of us still had cold feet and wonder if the wool ones would have been warmer.
Double liners!
Or the neat little chemical packs: one massages the contents, places inside boots on tops of feet; warms entire foot for hours!
A lot cheaper than Sorels, too!
LOOK OUT NEW ENGLAND: Winter Storm Neptune set to slam Northeast USA:
http://commoncts.blogspot.com/2015/02/winter-storm-neptune-update.html
Hubby & I & calico kitty have fled the NE nest after the Jan
storm so we are missing out on this epic Zhivagoan
experience ! But alas the cold has trickled down to here,
High was only 59 today. Stay safe & warm hardy NE .
Perhaps God is a Seahawks fan.
Here is the way I look at it.
Given that most of the AGW whiners live on the coasts (northeast is a huge percentage of those whiners), it appears that the Ice Gods are getting the last laugh.
I know, I know, it matters little. Global Warming Whiners have ways to reconcile these huge snowfalls and bitterly cold weather streaks.
Yes, according to the Weather-Whiners, all of this “weather” supports their hysterics and science-starved screaming.
Yep, the Ice Gods.
They are laughing in such a way that registers with everyone except the Progressives, Leftists, Liberal-Loons, enviro-wackos.
It’s a reality deliciously delivered on a cold platter.
I lived in Boston quite some time ago. I’d give plenty to live there now, travelling in and out of those hapless faces (those people who turn their smiles off in November, not to turn them on again until May).
I would be reveling in their protracted depressive state. Every day I would take the greatest satisfaction in reminding them that it is a good thing global warming is upon us.
In all of the places I’ve lived, none of them have been inhabited by a more somber, melancholy, snobbish bunch of elitists than in Boston (in the winter). And to be there now must be, SOMBER-ON-STEROIDS.
It was such a winter (1996-’97, I think) that convinced me to head for warmer environs. We lived in the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains and expected snow. In fact, we wanted snow for skiing. But that winter I spent four or five days a week plowing and shoveling and not much time skiing. It lasted from just before Christmas through March. Had to shovel the roof twice because the snow load was so great. When the heavy snow finally ended we had seven feet on the level and huge banks along the driveway (Which was a 1/4 mile long.) and around the house. Then we worried about a sudden thaw creating spring floods. Fortunately, it thawed slowly.
Because of that, I have empathy for everyone back East who is dealing with this snow and cold. Particularly older people who live out in the sticks like we did. There’s a time in life when you want your driveway and the County road to be open in case of a medical emergency. When the snow just keeps piling up, it becomes a Sisyphean task. Snow is no longer your welcome friend, just a big headache.
Spring is coming. At least it always has. I’m sure it will be very, very welcome to those shivering in Boston and all of New England.
A friend told me of one of her friends, who watches Dr. Zhivago every year, on the hottest of mid-summer Texas days, just so she can feel cool again.
Our winters are generally mild … but last week, there were two days where it got so warm that we did have to turn the AC on … my house has awful airflow and all the big windows face west without any shade so … yes, the house will turn into a hotbox with any encouragement.
Next summer, likely we will have a month or two of over 100 and a drought, so y’all can laugh at me then.
Lurker
Perhaps God is a Seahawks fan.
But apparently not enough of a fan to alter the outcome of the Super Bowl. 🙂
Methinks most Pats fans back in NE would consider snow storms for a Super Bowl win to be a fair trade. As for myself, I am one of Thomas Paine’s summertime Patriots fans, as I left snowy NE for 100 degree summers.
My experience was that cold feet and NE winter just went together. After I hitched home from the library around midnight, I needed to put a heating pad on my toes in order to be able to fall asleep. Can’t fall asleep with cold toes.
Alas, having family in New York and Manchester, NH still provides some satisfaction. But I take it easy on them. It’s just not the same as in messing with Mass-holes (those living in Massachusetts). And those Maine-iacs too.
Lara: “forgotten as a nameless number on a list which was later mislaid, in one of the innumerable mixed or women’s concentration camps in the north.”…
Gringo, that would be cheating.
On this day in 1965, I lived at Minot AFB which according to the farmers almanac had a high of 10F, a low of -9F and max winds of 35kts. Here (Hood Canal) it is currently 57F with rain and sun mixed. I know which I prefer.
Parker: Unfortunately, March doesn’t offer much winter comfort to the Northeast. Where I live — central New York State, where the weather’s much like that in New England — we’ve had some of our biggest snowstorms in March over the years (not to mention April). It’s true that in most years, we’re past the coldest temperatures by March — but I’m wondering if that’ll be true this year, as the high temperature in my town tomorrow is forecast to be 1 degree above zero — that’s the HIGH temperature, not even considering the wind chill factor — and March is only two weeks away.
It’s just a cold and snowy place. Even May can’t be counted on — I remember a foot and a half of snow on Mother’s Day one year, and another year when frost on Memorial Day weekend killed my lilac buds.
Fortunately, I like snow. But I’m sympathetic to the Bostonians, who are out of places to put it by now and hunkering down for more.
5.5 feet of snow in 2 weeks is tough! That Global Warming is fierce!
I live on the south shore of Lake Superior. This winter’s been colder than usual, but with less snow. When the lake is cold, and more of it is iced over, there’s less lake-effect snow. So far, we’ve had only 149 inches — much more than Boston, but people here are prepared for it.
Mrs. Whatsit,
I too, live in Central NYS.
In regards to March here, it’s certainly a crapshoot. I still remember 1993, the year I graduated from High School, and the mid-March blizzard. 3 feet of snow after a decent winter. It was nuts. The only time in my K-12 years that school was cancelled. Our School Superintendent back then was tough as nails.
And after the blizzard of 2007, I still dread Valentine’s Day.
If you have to get it so that I don’t, I’ll take that! :p
We, here, have only had about five snows, only three of them needed any attention, sweeping actually. I’m a little worried about the lack of moisture. I guess one thing at a time. Mid-February and we are hitting 60 F. It did freeze the other night. But… usually it’s 20 or 30, for highs… with lows down to -20, this time of year. With some help, I raked half of my lawn recently, and am considering a bonfire next week.
Yeah, you can keep the snow and cold. Just don’t freeze. Like I said, you are one of the few females who makes some sense to me. Soft, as women are, but… a thinking woman as far as that goes. Need warm boots? I’ll have to look around. Can’t have you getting sick.
Cornflour:
It’s not the total amount of snow in the winter, it’s how close together the storms are. Virtually all of Boston’s snow has come within several weeks, and therefore the snow cover is very very high (in fact, record-setting). But earlier in the winter there was very little snow there at all.
Down here in Orange County Southern California we’re up to our nuts in immigrants. Avalanche one way or the other.
Still, I feel for you. I hope you take every chance to tell every liberal, “hey, this is global warming.” I do the same regarding “comprehensive immigration reform.” I’ve noticed a change regarding my barbs against. There’s not much anger or outrage. I suppose avalanches have a way of wiping out preconceived ideas.
Re boots: These are the best I’ve ever found — NEOS, or New England Overshoes.
http://www.overshoe.com/Pages/default.aspx
Now, you might think they’d be too thin, but this rig keeps me warm right down to 5 degrees: thick rag wool socks, regular leather sneakers (New Balance), then the NEOS over all. They are waterproof all the way up, very lightweight, designed to slip over your regular shoes with the greatest of ease, and because they trap air around your feet and calves, they keep your tootsies amazingly toasty.
They were designed by a New Yorker who was tired of slogging through the ponds of snowmelt at curbsides and having to wear heavy snowboots then change them at the office. These are Perfect for getting to work and back in these conditions. And they last like crazy: My former pair was actually still usable, and I’d had them for over ten years. Got new taller ones.
Non-insulated styles add 20 degrees of apparent warmth, and insulated styles add 40 degrees of apparent warmth.
Re snowpiles: In Manhattan one year, I went to midtown, and right around Rockefeller Center, there were snow mountains so high you could almost touch the streetlights when standing on top of them! The newspapers had photos of snowmountain climbers. I climbed up one and slid down, and a Rock Center security guy officiously ordered me off the berg. Spoilsport.
Beverly:
Really? They’re called NEOS???
That’s kind of amazing.
Perhaps God is a Seahawks fan.
Either God has it in for Fenway Pahhhk or He wants to give Red Sox Nation another reason to long for Spring Training (3 days and counting).
Yup here CT it so hot it’s snowing.
Wait ’till people start having gunfights over shoveled-out parking spots.
AND, btw, if you’re going to foist the Kennedys and Barney Frank on the rest of us THERE WILL BE SNOW.
Does this mean the Boston academics will give up on global warming?
Seal skin boots. With a good natural lining (not polyester crap). My feet have never been cold or wet since I got them ten years ago. They still look brand new and I’ve trudged all over through snow and sludge with warm, dry feet. The Inuit were definitely onto something!
Cornhead, 10:25 pm — Not a chance in hell. Far, far too much emotional investment in the myth at this point.
By the way, Accuweather’s high temperatures for Carlsbad CA (home of Legoland) these past four days are
87 degF Wed 11th
87 degF Thu 12th
84 degF Fri 13th
84 degF Sat 14th
all very dry, breezy days. Pretty delightful.
Here in Sillycon Valley today, the nearest weather station referenced by the NWS observation site recorded a high of 78F.
About boots, Neo — I have a pair of these: http://www.muckbootcompany.com/product/Womens-Arctic-Weekend-casual-winter-boot-WAW/WWINTER
They are not chic, to say the least, and for deep snow like this winter, they aren’t tall enough. However, I’ve never had cold feet with them on.
Here’s an old trick we used to use to keep our toes warm riding horses in cold weather (which can really, really freeze your feet, hanging in mid-air in the wind, not moving much, in boots that can’t be too thick or they won’t fit in the stirrups): plastic bread bags over the socks and inside the boots. Sounds like Joni Ernst, right? But it works.
“One of the unusual things about this season is that the snow isn’t melting, as it usually does with some days above 32 degrees in the sun.” And, as Neo states above, that is crux of the problem. The polar vortex has moved south to around the southern edge of Hudson’s Bay and is continuously pumping arctic air to the eastern third of the country. That guarantees any storm will be snow and with our high temps never reaching 32 degrees. So we get dumped on and it just stays and piles up.
More on the way for Tuesday as the southern storm is now tracking north. No indication the vortex will go home for, as a local meteorologist, said, “weeks”.
I have a pool running with friends as to when the plow mound near my house (9 ft tall, 12 ft wide) will be gone. I took mid April, but the person who took May1 may be the winner. I do have one person who took June 1 😉
Here in the Philly area, we haven’t had much snow this year; just a couple inches here and there. We had more last winter. It’s been cold, though.
The other night I heard on the radio that the PA Dept. of Transportation (PennDOT) is sending snow removal equipment and crews to Massachusetts.
Stay warm Neo and others up north!
And, as a side note, I do wish they (The Weather Channel) would stop naming winter storms. (e.g. Winter Storm Juno, Winter Storm Neptune) There is no reason for naming land-based storms other than for sensationalism to boost ratings.
Adults are miserable but I expect the kids are having a blast with all the snow.
That is an insane amount of snow I can’t even imagine.
It has been weird to watch this develop because we have had an extremely mild January/February. 50s and 60s even. It’s cold today but I’ve barely needed a coat the last month. I actually like cold weather and snow so this is a bit disappointing, but i did enjoy sitting outside and getting some sun and warmth yesterday (69).
I think tomorrow is probably our lat chance for snow this winter so fingers crossed!
nkbay99 Says:
February 14th, 2015 at 4:51 pm
That is sheer genius.
I have a twenty-year-old pair of Neos boots with an old pair of shoes inside, keep it in the trunk for unexpected large snowfalls, they are a good product.
Here on the central PA farm we wear Muck Boots in the Muckmaster mid-length model all winter, and in the messy weather the rest of the year. We have to take the hunting dog out for hours of exercise and roaming the fields and forests every day of the year, he’s a very energetic breed.
The Muck boots are waterproof, snowproof, have great traction soles, are easy on-and-off, and pretty comfortable, really. Because of the constant heavy use – they are great in knee-high hayfield after a rain, too – they either split or generate a wear area inside, but I buy two pairs over a two or three year period, so that’s pretty good wear. Heavy wool socks over liners makes them plenty warm in the winter, as long as you keep moving.
The only real solution is migration. Become a snow bird.
Amusing pictures of the North East:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2954207/Snow-dangerous-winds-cold-strikes-New-England-again.html
Amusing pictures of the North East:
g6loq, I doubt that those in New England who have endured 6 feet of snow in a month find the pictures amusing. As a New England native now residing in warmer climes, with many relatives still in NE and other parts of the snow belt, my reaction was “But for the grace of fortune there go I.”
That was a very good collection of snow photos. Once again the Daily Mail has good coverage of the US. Interesting that one of the photos was of people stocking up at a Market Basket, which Neo has commented on and which I have shopped at.
You know it’s bad when L.L. Bean has to back order its famous boot.
The warmest coat I owned was the Land’s End women’s commuter down coat with hood, 45″ long shoulder-to-hem, windproof. Washable, reliable, tough.
I sold it at a garage sale last Fall before moving south.
Re summerlike temperatures in CA while NE freezes its a** off: this is identical to the weather pattern in the mid-1970s when there was a severe drought in CA while the Northeast was being blasted with then-record cold and blizzards. I grew up in CT but have lived in CA since 1970.
That gosh darn global warming… it’ll getcha every time.
Gringo Says:
February 15th, 2015 at 1:36 pm
Amusing pictures of the North East:
g6loq, I doubt that those in New England who have endured 6 feet of snow in a month find the pictures amusing…
Hee hee … globull warming …
I blame the way they vote …
When it gets to Siberian temperatures, the ONLY thing that will do is FUR. REAL fur, not the fake stuff.
I got a rabbit-fur bomber hat and tugged it on tonight to go out grocery shopping (5 degrees, wind chill of 20 below zero). My head stayed warm and toasty. And since it was dry (salt won’t melt ice this cold), I pulled on my fancy new Ugg boots, and they kept my feet warm.
Now if I could just fit into Mother’s old mink coat, I’d be impervious. 😉 But I have to make do with a down coat, and in the high, frigid winds of this evening, it’s not warm. Wind goes through down, but not fur.
I have never seen the movie “Dr. Zhivago”. If the clip is any indication of the rest of the movie, I never will.
You need Mickey Mouse Boots!
Warm, warm, warm!
It’s like it is Frozen, while in a Minecraft box.
Things have gotten so bad that Boston Mayor Marty Walsh was forced to deliver some real talk to the citizenry – specifically warning the knuckleheads who have been jumping out of their windows and into the snow to cut it out.
What he said:
“I’m asking people to stop their nonsense right now. These are adults jumping out windows,” Walsh said on Monday, according to the Boston Herald. “It’s a foolish thing to do and you could kill yourself.”
What he meant:
DON’T BE IDIOTS, PEOPLE.
To understand why this is even a thing, we turn to Walsh once again. Boston, he noted, has been buried under 96 inches of snow (and counting) so far this winter. The city is just a few inches away from the all-time record – a record that literally no one wants.