Snowpocalypse 2010 Begins

So Snowmaggedon, Snowpocalypse2010, SnoMG has begun. We have a good 4-6 inches on the ground already, with a predicted 20-30 inches total to expect.

Here is how we look in Towson now, around 9 pm.

We expect 6-10 inches overnight. I will continue to take photos and document the progression of the grill & hot tub as long as they can be seen!
Officials have asked for people to stay off the roads, and stay at home. So I hope you don’t get stir crazy, and are able to remain at home if you are here in the Baltimore area…
Good luck weathering the storm!

Snowpocalypse 2010 “Snow Say Can You See” Snowball Fun in Fells Point February 6, 2010

With the “Snowpocalypse” coming tomorrow through Saturday night with predictions of snow accumulations of around TWO FEET, residents of Downtown Baltimore are ready to have fun.
On December 19, 2009, we got about this same amount, and there was a fun snowball fight in Federal Hill called “Snow Say Can You See”.
This Saturday, February 7, 2010 is Snow Say Can You See Part Two — this time in Fell’s Point at the Broadway Square at Thames and Broadway.
A great time was had by all who attended the last, and I am happy to see that they are moving across the Harbor to let more city residents enjoy!
What a wonderful idea to get people out of their houses for a safe, fun time, since attendees will walk from their houses!
Enjoy to those who get to go — and take pictures to share!

Punxsutawney Phil Sees His Shadow — Baltimore Will See Six More Weeks of Winter

Well, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow yesterday, so we here in Baltimore can expect six more weeks of winter.

Of course, no matter what, there will be six more weeks of winter. But with the snow covering from overnight, and the 1-2 feet predicted for Friday (Friday 3-6 inches, overnight 6-10 inches) into Saturday (an additional 1-3 inches), I believe the wintry weather is here to stay for some time.

At the grocery store yesterday, there was still some milk, and a variety of breads, but I went before 5 pm. I hope you are stocked through the weekend, because if the predictions remain as they stand, the panic will set in by tomorrow afternoon.

So bundle up, hunker down, and get ready for some more home time. Remember to dig out your board games, get your break & bake cookies, and stay safe as you “enjoy” another snow storm. For fun, read my sarcastic list of how to enjoy the winter white. It was much more enjoyable back in December, I’ll tell you.

Be safe!

Unexpected Snow Storm Wreaks Havoc in Towson

A large amount of snow blanketed the Baltimore area yesterday, causing major problems on roads north and south of the Beltway.

Forecasters were predicting a dusting to three inches of snow. As most of us realized yesterday, it was more like 6-10 inches.

The major problem was that State Highway Administration crews apparently were not prepared. At noon, as I was on 695 traveling east toward White Marsh, it became very clear that road crews had not been out — there was no salt, sand or plowing. Snow began around 10, and it was sticking very well to the cold roadways.

I would have thought that 95 North of the Beltway would have been better, but I was wrong.

Numerous cars spun out, down embankments, in the medians. I saw about 4 accidents and probably 13 cars spun out in my short trip to Abingdon. I have a heavy SUV and it handles very well in the snow, but even I found my wheels losing their grip as I traveled slowly north.

As I was meeting with sellers and listing a great property in the St Clair neighborhood of Abingdon (it will be online in a few days — stay tuned!), the snow continued to fall quickly. At 3 pm I went to leave.

And Route 24 was a parking lot.

It took about 35 minutes to go just over a mile on that main artery toward 95 South. Police were out directing traffic, which is the only reason things were moving at all.

Once I got on 95 South, roads were a little better than earlier. It appeared at least the left lane had been sanded, but in between lanes there was a decent amount of snow built up and the right lanes completely covered. To be safe, you needed to drive in the grooves in the snow that other cars had created. Again, though, the number of ambulances and fire engines I saw was astounding. All I could think was that maybe if these roads were treated, the EMTs, firefighters, and police officers wouldn’t have to be working so hard!

695 West was decent, but Eastbound still was not. An hour & 1/2 later I was getting to Towson and York Road was untouched by plows. Bosley was a mess with cars attempting to go uphill without traction. I am still amazed that one car did not slide back down and hit me. I saw it happening and was able to navigate my way around him (thank goodness for growing up in New England — we learned how to turn into the skid!).

By the time I got home, my nerves were shot, and I was shaking from being so tense for that two hour period of driving. I was glad to get and remain home.

I wish that forecasters had been closer or that the State Highway Administration had taken precautions and sanded “just in case” so there wouldn’t have been so many accidents.

I hope you were able to remain home, and that you remembered to check out my past post on how to Enjoy the Winter White for fun things to do. It appears roads have been cleared this morning, at least here in Towson, so we may venture out. If you do so, please be careful!

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