Right now we’re in the middle of a three-day “Snow Event.” Lake Effect snow is falling at the rate of 3 to 5 inches per hour. All the schools are closed. Most of the roads are closed. There are travel bans in effect. Usually, Western New York doesn’t get hit with this kind of snow until December or January. But, here it is and we have to deal with it. I’ve got Big Orange primed to snow blow whatever snow comes our way later in the week. So far, the heavy snow is falling on Buffalo and the South Towns. Temperatures are in the teens. But, surprisingly, things will warm up on Sunday to 45 degrees in time for the Jets vs. Bills game!
You call that snow? Why when I was a boy, etc, etc, etc…
Bob, all this snow fell in 24 hours. The plows couldn’t keep up with it.
As soon as I heard on the news this morning that Buffalo could get up to EIGHT FEET of snow by the end of the week, I said to myself, I bet George Kelley will have a post about that! Meanwhile, here on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain, we’re shivering through a hard freeze (low last night was 23, not expected to get out of the forties today), but we’re expecting to be close to the eighties by the weekend.
Deb, we’re up to our eye-balls in snow. But next week we’ll be in the 50s and all this white stuff will melt. Flooding is a definite possibility.
I was explaining to someone that you are NOT in the lake effect snow belt, which explains why south of Buffalo got four FEET and North Tonawanda hardly got any.
Still, this is way too early for this crap. It is 22 with a 10 degree wind chill this morning. They are saying 60 by my birthday on Monday.
And Happy Birthday, Cap’n Bob.
Jeff, the Lake Effect snow belts are moving north. It’s snowing like crazy here now! But, another Snow Day is a possibility tomorrow!
Ouch, George. We’ve only had one or two snows close to that in the time we’ve lived here in the D.C. area. Shoveling becomes almost an effort in futility, because you can’t keep up with it all. Take care of yourself, and here’s hoping the Climate Prediction Center’s forecast of above-normal temps for December and January pan out.
BV, thanks for your concern. Basically, we’re getting a year’s worth of snow in three days! The plows are ineffective in dealing with this volume of snow. The National Guard has been activated. They’re going to use heavy equip to remove the snow. But, when temperatures hit 50 degrees next week, where will all that liquid go???
And I was in DC for one of those, Bonnie.
We get a lot of snow–95 inches last winter. But very few places can compare to Buffalo. Yikes.
Patti, we’re only half-way through this “Snow Event.” More Lake Effect snow bands will set up tonight and dump another foot of snow on Buffalo tomorrow. Looks like another Snow Day off for me tomorrow.
Ah yes, Lake Effect, as an ex-Clevelander I remember it well. For you weather wonks, here’s an excellent piece on how it works:
http://thevane.gawker.com/the-mechanics-behind-lake-effect-snow-natures-greatest-1659711094/+tcraggs22
Art, there’s some dramatic video footage of the Lake Effect snows moving in off Lake Erie on the CBS NEWS website and, of course, THE WEATHER CHANNEL.
OMG!!
And I’m complaining about below zero wind chills.
Be safe, George.
Beth, we’re not out of the woods yet. Another foot of snow is forecast to hit us tomorrow!
Should have come out for B-con and spent this week at Disneyland . . .
I hope your sump pump is ready for that possible melt. Meanwhile we want more pictures of you and Big Orange doing the thing. Stay safe!
Stan, I would have loved to spend a week at the Long Beach BOURCHERCON and Disneyland! The problem would be getting back to Buffalo. The Airport is closed.
Rick, my sump pump (and the back-up sump pump) stand ready for the next round of melting snow. I’ll try to get Diane to take a photo of me and Big Orange at work dealing with the snow. With the arctic temps, Diane doesn’t want to leave our warm and cozy house.
Bless you, George! You get snow so we don’t have to.
Jerry, we’re basically getting a year’s worth of snow in three days!
I just read that another 2-3 feet is expected.
On the radio here they reported that the Bills are offering $10 an hour and seats to the Jets’ game on Sunday for people shoveling out the Stadium, but shouldn’t they wait until the snow stops for good? And if it is in the 50s Sunday…I think I’m with Diane – stay home and watch it on television.
Jeff, the new thinking is to move the Jets vs. Bills game either to Monday night or a neutral site.
Thanks for the wishes, Jeff.
The weather here is chilly but bearable.
Bob, we’re expecting another foot of snow overnight with arctic temperatures.
Better you than me. Enjoy.
George, for someone who lives in the Tropics, I wouldn’t mind some of that snow.
Prashant, be careful what you ask for. Right now the snow at Ralph Wilson Stadium (where the Buffalo Bills play their home games) would be up to your shoulders. Over 220 tons of snow needs to be removed by Sunday for the game to be played. The National Football League is considering moving the game.
In North Buffalo, there is not much snow. It has been surreal seeing images of several feet of snow outside of my friends’ homes in South Buffalo and Hamburg, while only having about an inch or two of snow outside my home. The only real connection that I have experienced in relation to the intensity of the storm has been thundersnow. I hope you and Mrs. Kelley stay safe and warm throughout the storm.
Lauren, thanks for your kind concern. Glad you are safe and sound in North Buffalo. Our weather conditions–including the thundersnow!–are similar to yours. Stay warm and cozy!
Thank you, Dr. Kelley