Saturday, February 25, 2012

Definition of a blizzard

At what point is a storm defined as a blizzard? Does anyone know?

I hesitate to use the term because the storm we're experiencing today is doubtless nothing next to the whomping folks regularly get in the midwest.

Nonetheless, it's ugly out today. Winds are gusting upwards of 50 mph, snow scudding, drifting behind stationary objects but otherwise scouring the ground almost bare in spots.


The windows are getting coated.


Paper snowflakes against the real thing.


I fed the livestock in the corral, which is better protected from the wind than the feedboxes.


Jet and her baby took over Matilda's pen.


Brit took over another pen.


The rest were toughing it out outside.


This photo is inside the barn door -- where snow has blown through cracks.


Younger Daughter had her friend Miss Calamity spend the night, but I ended up running her home much earlier in the morning than anticipated before the storm got worse.


Here's Miss Calamity's little brother's bicycle.


Older Daughter drew a cartoon on our front door.


It's a good day for baking. Biscuits for breakfast...


...and chocolate Rice Krispies for a treat.


It's also a good day to stay huddled by the woodstove, reading.

9 comments:

  1. bliz·zard (blzrd)
    n.
    1.
    a. A violent snowstorm with winds blowing at a minimum speed of 35 miles (56 kilometers) per hour and visibility of less than one-quarter mile (400 meters) for three hours.

    Sounds like you're having a blizzard.

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    Replies
    1. Yup, I'd say you're right.

      - Patrice

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    2. Or alternatley the blended mix drink which goes by that name:
      ■1 oz Brandy
      ■1 oz Irish Cream
      ■1 oz Coffee Liqueur
      ■1 oz Light Rum
      ■2 scoop Vanilla Ice Cream
      ■1 oz Light Cream
      It may not help with you 35 mph winds, but you likely won't feel the cold much.

      Delete
  2. Looks like a blizzard to me!!! So wish we could get just a little snow this year. I am afraid what summer is going to be like with all the warm weather we have had this winter

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  3. Back East near Boston One time I saw it snow 6 inches in 15 minutes. When I was a kid we had a 24 inch storm one night and the next night got another 24 inches. When I lived in Southern Ohio Rain or snow the wind was always there and it was worse then snow alone. Now I live in the high desert and I just came in from shoveling out the driveway. We get 30 minutes of wind driven snow followed by 30 minutes of beautiful sunshine followed by more snow then more sun and it has been going on like this all day. Right now it is so bright I can barely see the computer.

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  4. Glad you are getting a winter this year. Here in Nor Calif we are not. Yes, it is cold enough, but it all stays up north of us. Next summer will get pretty ugly between lack of water and fire risk.

    Winston

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  5. .




    Chocolate Rice Krispy treats....

    You just HAD to go there, didn't ya!?




    .

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  6. We had 16" snow one night last year followed by another 6" a day later. In Oklahoma, snow usually doesn't stick around long, so we've never invested in removal equipment. It did last year. After school closures of a week or better last year, (and amid pointed criticism), City bought equipment. It's sitting unused this year.

    Our usual m-o is ICE. ICE = broken power lines and poles, impassable streets and highways, and acres of devastated, destroyed trees. I choose snow.

    Your pictures didn't include any snow angels!

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  7. Wow, I want to see the titles of those great books!! What curriculum? As another home schooler and collector of beloved books, have you considered writing a "Kindle vs. Real Books: the Before and After!" post? I was just wondering if they read more or less, better quality or worse and how about free stuff vs the cost of books.
    Thanks again for great photos, spots add character!
    --K in OK <><

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