December 2014 Banter Thread

[Ian]

Good chance the 21st storm will suck less than generally expected but still suck a lot.

[Bob Chill]

Medium/long range thread is going to be a mess for the next 10+ days... get used to it

Yep, when it's all you got...it's all you got.

I pretty much agree with Ian about next weekend. It could suck less than usual. But maybe not.

[Ian]

Yep, when it's all you got...it's all you got.

I pretty much agree with Ian about next weekend. It could suck less than usual. But maybe not.

No way to have any real confidence on it. Not much cold air, not a great 500 look.

 

It's going to be a long winter. I'm trying to figure out when I'll have my first meltdown over weenies. 

[Bob Chill]

No way to have any real confidence on it. Not much cold air, not a great 500 look.

It's going to be a long winter. I'm trying to figure out when I'll have my first meltdown over weenies.

At least you'll be out of town for the heavy Christmas rain storm. That's probably when I lose it on myself

[HighStakes]

What exactly was it that made Jan 1996 better than Feb 6, 2010? I only ask because I was very little back in 1996 and don't remember it that well.

I think it would have to considered the perfect combination of all factors involved in making a great storm. Everything came together just right. Temps, winds, duration and the week that followed. I would put it first on my list followed by PDII and then 2/9/10. I would also put 2/11/83 ahead of 2/6/10.

[87storms]

Feb 6, 2010 doesn't even deserve to mentioned in the same breath as 1996.

 

i really need to learn to sign in before i post...uggh.

 

but anyway, i don't agree to that extent, but i will say that 96 and 03 were better than 10.  for whatever reason, maybe due to my location in bethesda at the time, but i felt like it was mostly a wet snow for a while and the rates were better north.  it almost felt like a bigger version of last year's storm.  it was good and one of the big ones, but i feel like 96 and 03 are still in a class by themselves.  they were colder storms.  now, if we're talking combo of feb 5-6 and feb 10, then it's in the same breadth.  feb 10, 2010 was more memorable to me than feb 5-6.

 

the winter of 09/10 though is in a class by itself.  individually by storm, gotta go 96 and 03 (can't decide which was better) and 10, in that order.

[87storms]

Really? Hmm not the storm I remember. Probably depends on your your exact location. For those of us around and east of I-95, Jan '96 storm flipped to sleet for several hours(not forecast). I had about the same amount in both storms, but 6 Feb 2010 was all snow start to finish.

 

96 flipped for a bit where i was at in silver spring, but it had as close to a blizzard feel as you can get here except for 2/10/10.  

 

this loop shows just how massive that storm was.

 

https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/current/mcview.phtml?prod=usrad&java=script&mode=archive&frames=60&interval=60&year=1996&month=1&day=6&hour=0&minute=0

 

it was so cold that there were very few yellow radar echos, but it was all moderate/heavy snow and sticking everywhere.  it's probably the flagship storm for me with '03 really, really close.  the morning of '03 that snow piled up quicker than any i've seen here and it was like 20 degrees if i remember, maybe colder.

[dailylurker]

Great storm, but I enjoyed the 2003 blizz, and the 3 biggies in 2009-10 more than 1996. Even tho I ended up with 20"+ it sucked having several hours of sleet at the height of the storm with a temp of barely 20.

I totally agree. I remember bumming about the sleet. I hate that sound during a snowstorm. The plus is it was a long event. I remember being really tired because I stayed up for like 2 days.

[gymengineer]

i really need to learn to sign in before i post...uggh.

but anyway, i don't agree to that extent, but i will say that 96 and 03 were better than 10. for whatever reason, maybe due to my location in bethesda at the time, but i felt like it was mostly a wet snow for a while and the rates were better north. it almost felt like a bigger version of last year's storm. it was good and one of the big ones, but i feel like 96 and 03 are still in a class by themselves. they were colder storms. now, if we're talking combo of feb 5-6 and feb 10, then it's in the same breadth. feb 10, 2010 was more memorable to me than feb 5-6.

And I, being in the next town over (Potomac), was much more impressed by 2/5-6/10 than several of you are. It clearly beat 1/96 in total snowfall and had gusts just as strong, plus we lost power for the second longest stretch ever but were stuck (unlike Isabel where we could just drive away), making it the most impactful storm I've experienced. Only thing less than 1/96 was the drifting-- I don't see a point to personally choose between them anymore.

Anyway, of course it all just comes down what you consider more important and what town you were in. The far northern MD tier was not the bullseye for 2/5-6/10 like they usually are, so I can understand it placing lower in their rankings.

[mitchnick]

And I, being in the next town over (Potomac), was much more impressed by 2/5-6/10 than several of you are. It clearly beat 1/96 in total snowfall and had gusts just as strong, plus we lost power for the second longest stretch ever but were stuck (unlike Isabel where we could just drive away), making it the most impactful storm I've experienced. Only thing less than 1/96 was the drifting-- I don't see a point to personally choose between them anymore.

Anyway, of course it all just comes down what you consider more important and what town you were in. The far northern MD tier was not the bullseye for 2/5-6/10 like they usually are, so I can understand it placing lower in their rankings.

1/96 and 2/10 both had a 7 day periods of multiple snow events, 3 in 96 and 2 in 2010.

In my book, I'll take 2/10 because, as you and a few others have said, more snow. BWI officially reported around 45" during that period. That is, hands down, the best snow period at Baltimore since they have been keeping records for Baltimore, whether at BWI airport or when it was recorded in Baltimore City. And, the 2 blizzards in 2/10 had wind, cold, drifts, and mass disruptions if that's what one wants out of their snows. Like C.A.P.E. said, unforeseen sleet at BWI for about 6 hours during the peak which was a real bummer and knocked totals down to only around 22" (I say "only", because I'm talking relative to 2/10) put a bad taste in my mouth for that storm, though I'd take it again in a heart beat.

[Fozz]

1/96 and 2/10 both had a 7 day periods of multiple snow events, 3 in 96 and 2 in 2010.

In my book, I'll take 2/10 because, as you and a few others have said, more snow. BWI officially reported around 45" during that period. That is, hands down, the best snow period at Baltimore since they have been keeping records for Baltimore, whether at BWI airport or when it was recorded in Baltimore City. And, the 2 blizzards in 2/10 had wind, cold, drifts, and mass disruptions if that's what one wants out of their snows. Like C.A.P.E. said, unforeseen sleet at BWI for about 6 hours during the peak which was a real bummer and knocked totals down to only around 22" (I say "only", because I'm talking relative to 2/10) put a bad taste in my mouth for that storm, though I'd take it again in a heart beat.

 

What were the forecasts calling for in January 96?

[H2O]

It better snow on the 21st.  I bought a shytload of booze today in anticipation

[mitchnick]

What were the forecasts calling for in January 96?

Of course they varied by outlet, but no sleet from any forecaster was mentioned and 24-30" seems to be my recollection of the consensus, throwing out crazy high and low forecasts.)

BUT, it all comes down to expectations and those of us with this sick fetish for snow get our snow balls in an uproar when taint is introduced into a snow storm and is not predicted. So inches-wise, it wasn't a huge difference I suppose, but it was certainly disappointing to those of us who had the ip. I'm sure I would have been close to 30"+ like PHL if I didn't have that pesky warm layer because I remember snow grains falling for at least an hour and a half before the ip took over, which also kept accumulations down too.

[mitchnick]

It better snow on the 21st.  I bought a shytload of booze today in anticipation

just for snow ehh???

[nj2va]

We saw Gone Girl earlier today - what an awesome movie.  Ben Affleck was great in it.  

[WinterWxLuvr]

It better snow on the 21st. I bought a shytload of booze today in anticipation

Will it survive until the 21st?

[snowfan]

Granted, I was living in an area that never saw IP during the 96 blizzard, but these recollections of IP surprise me given that BWI only had two hourly obs with IP during the event. Most impressive thing is that they 32 consecutive obs w winter precip.

[LP08]

Granted, I was living in an area that never saw IP during the 96 blizzard, but these recollections of IP surprise me given that BWI only had two hourly obs with IP during the event. Most impressive thing is that they 32 consecutive obs w winter precip.

I remember during when I lived in Stafford county we built snow walls to hide behind to protect oursleves from the wind blown sleet that felt like it was ripping your cheeks off.

[HighStakes]

Granted, I was living in an area that never saw IP during the 96 blizzard, but these recollections of IP surprise me given that BWI only had two hourly obs with IP during the event. Most impressive thing is that they 32 consecutive obs w winter precip.

In Reisterstown we had a couple of hours where sleet mixed in. Never completely flipped to sleet. The mixing occurred in the very early evening on Sunday. This was also the time we were in a bit of a lull. As soon as the heavier precip moved in on the backside we went right back over to all snow. Probably only cost us a couple inches at most. I had a final total of 26 but it was tough to say that for sure with all the wind so it may have been closer to 30. I think the Reisterstown to Cockeysville line was the furthest northward the mix precip progressed.

[Bob Chill]

I moved away from 92-99 so I missed the 96 storm. My best friend was living in Rockville at the time and took a bunch of pics during and after the event. Amazing storm.

I adored snow as a boy in the 70s. There wasn't much to do in winters back then other than skate on ponds and pray for enough snow to sled on. Pre-video game world was tuff man. Feb 79 was a life changing event for me. That storm had a profound affect on me.

77-78 through 82-83 was great run of winters in our area. I assumed it was normal and 5+ snow days off school every year was normal. Lol. Then we got some stinkers...

Then Jan of 87 came along. I had a 4x4 then and me and my delinquent teenage friends bumper skied through the neighborhood for days. Night sledding at strathmore with a fire in a 55 gallon drum and drinking our parents' beer that we stole. Moco police didn't even care. Told us to make sure the fire was totally out before we left. Oh the memories....and how times have changed

[mitchnick]

did tonight's 0Z NAM shed any light on next weekend?

[nj2va]

did tonight's 0Z NAM shed any light on next weekend?

I think the NAM and SREF are in perfect range to start extrapolating. We can do it so well we'd practically create a 180 hr NAM.

[mitchnick]

I think the NAM and SREF are in perfect range to start extrapolating. We can do it so well we'd practically create a 180 hr NAM.

let's do it, but we'll need a catchy name....how about JI-JMA?

[Bob Chill]

What are you going to do when this winter blows all of those out of the water? I'll bring the big drum and beer, you bring the wood and vodka to help us deal with the cold.

Even if we get twice as much snow, nothing can top those good times. But we can give it a shot with the first mecs. I like a good pilsner and top shelf bourbon. Some strippers and a couple snowmobiles would round out the evening

[nj2va]

let's do it, but we'll need a catchy name....how about JI-JMA?

We're setting ourselves up for failure with JMA in the title. Though a 180 hr NAM would be just as reliable as the JMA so you're probably onto something.

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

let's do it, but we'll need a catchy name....how about JI-JMA?

 

Or perhaps...JI-JMAGEDDON?

 

(in this era of every extreme weather event being *-mageddon, sort of like every political scandal is *-gate)

[wxdude64]

Even if we get twice as much snow, nothing can top those good times. But we can give it a shot with the first mecs. I like a good pilsner and top shelf bourbon. Some strippers and a couple snowmobiles would round out the evening

Won't they get chilly?

[snowfan]

What are people going to do when we get another March 2001 this winter?

[Bob Chill]

Won't they get chilly?

Nah, we'll have beer, bourbon, and a fire. We can incorporate survival techniques if necessary

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

I moved away from 92-99 so I missed the 96 storm. My best friend was living in Rockville at the time and took a bunch of pics during and after the event. Amazing storm.

I adored snow as a boy in the 70s. There wasn't much to do in winters back then other than skate on ponds and pray for enough snow to sled on. Pre-video game world was tuff man. Feb 79 was a life changing event for me. That storm had a profound affect on me.

77-78 through 82-83 was great run of winters in our area. I assumed it was normal and 5+ snow days off school every year was normal. Lol. Then we got some stinkers...

Then Jan of 87 came along. I had a 4x4 then and me and my delinquent teenage friends bumper skied through the neighborhood for days. Night sledding at strathmore with a fire in a 55 gallon drum and drinking our parents' beer that we stole. Moco police didn't even care. Told us to make sure the fire was totally out before we left. Oh the memories....and how times have changed

 

Same here, I think my memories and love of snow was shaped in the mid-late '70s.  Or that's when it became a veritable illness with me at least, hahaha!  In my case it was growing up in northeast Ohio.  The winters of 1976-77 and 1977-78 will always stand in my mind as the two benchmarks against which any winter is measured.  I know that's not right technically, and there have been some brutal/snowy years since then (both here and in Cleveland where I grew up).  Somehow there are winters like that when you're young that just stick with you, and they almost become larger than life as the time grows distant.  In this case, those two years were record-breaking and in many ways still stand as such in Ohio at least.  (January 1977 is the coldest month ever in Cleveland...lookng at the records I saved, the entire month was below freezing, mean temperature for the month was 11 degrees with 18 days having below zero readings.)

 

I recall having very many days off school in January 1977...we didn't get an excessive amount of snow (though a good share!), it was mostly because it was dangerously cold to even go outside!  Similarly in 1978, it was almost as cold but with more snow.  The blizzard of Jan. 26-27, 1978 still is "the" all-time top of the list for winter storms in my experience.  No, it didn't compare in terms of other big snowfalls that we got there in Ohio, and not even close to PD-II and the February 2010 events since I've been here.  I think KCLE officially measured 7" (atop a foot or more of old snow) from that storm.  But it was a monster blizzard, a 957-mb bomb that went right through the state of Ohio with 50+ MPH sustained winds and near 100 MPH gusts near the Lake Erie shore, along with temperatures that plummeted into the single digits.  The day before, it was in the 40s with some drizzle and on the news the evening before, they were talking about blizzard warnings, which seemed odd given the conditions.  Well, the temperature dropped some 30 degrees between 4AM and 6AM the next day and that was ushered in with a blast of wind.  Now *that* is brutally dangerous!  I've got newspaper articles and other stuff from that event.  The entire area was shut down for days.

 

It almost seems like another dimension of time at this point!

 

 

What are you going to do when this winter blows all of those out of the water? I'll bring the big drum and beer, you bring the wood and vodka to help us deal with the cold. 

 

Ha!  Yeah, that would be fun!!  Even if it doesn't blow the doors of those "old time" winters, it can still be good if we get our share of getting slammed this year.