More snow on the horizon....

Here’s the latest from the National Weather Service:

A low pressure system is coming in from the Pacific and bringing with it warmer temperatures, eventually.
Wednesday AM: Snow showers on the valley floor of 1-2” and 3-4” above 500 feet.
Wednesday PM: Brief rain, then back to snow for Wednesday evening, another 1-2” possible on the valley floor and 4-8” above 500 feet. Highs in the low 30’s. Lows in the upper 20’s.
Thursday: Possible snow showers about 500 feet. Highs in the 30’s. Low of 25.
Friday: Temperatures will begin to rise, rain possible. Highs in the 40’s.
Saturday: New, mild pattern is emerging bringing temperatures in the 40’s and rain.

There is no concern at this time for river flooding, only for urban flooding due to snow melt.

How NOT to get rid of snow

Man melting snow with blowtorch ignites home
He wanted to clear back porch, instead he's got $30,000 in damage

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - Fire officials in New Bedford, Mass., say a man using a blowtorch to melt ice on his back porch ended up setting his house on fire, causing up to $30,000 in damage.
Fire Capt. Scott Kruger tells The Standard-Times of New Bedford that no on was injured during Monday's incident at the three-story home.
Kruger says the man was using a torch hooked up to a 20-pound propane cylinder. He got too close to the building's wood frame and ignited the vinyl siding. The fire quickly spread into the building's second- and third-floor apartments.
It took 25 firefighters to subdue the blaze that damaged bedrooms in the upstairs units, and caused damage to the structure and wiring.
The homeowner will not be charged.

(generalized stupidity is not yet a criminal offense, sadly)

Season's Greetings from DEM

Weather-wise, it should be a relatively quiet day. Tomorrow, however, looks a little more hectic. We will have a weather briefing at 2:00pm today and will share the findings this afternoon.

Dashing Through the Snow...or Ice...

This forecast is from the National Weather Service at 3:50pm:

A WINTER STORM WATCH is in effect for snow and freezing rain for WEDNESDAY MORNING through WEDNESDAY EVENING. Another low pressure system is expected to drop southeast into the Pacific Northwest Wednesday and Wednesday night. A relatively cold air mass will be in place ahead of this system bringing the chance for low elevation snow and freezing rain. At this time there is considerable uncertainty as to how cold the air will be ahead of the storm in the lower valleys. It appears the precipitation would start out as snow Wednesday and change to freezing rain by Wednesday evening. Although it is not certain, there is a potential for significant accumulations of snow or freezing rain Wednesday afternoon and evening. If the track of the storm is just a little further north than expected it is also possible that the precipitation could quickly change over to rain Wednesday.

Latest Forecast

Monday afternoon: Snow showers, high of 33 and cloudy. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1-2" possible.

Monday night: A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Calm wind. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 34. South wind around 6 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 27. Southeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Again, please do not travel unless it is absolutely necessary!!

O (NO!) Christmas Tree

The U.S. Fire Administration posted a video on their blog which illustrates the startling difference between watered and dry Christmas trees when it comes to fire. The video can be found at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/focus/holiday.shtm.

Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland

So, if you haven't noticied, it's snowing! Join us on our recent photographic journey, won't you? The latest forecast indicates that we may be looking at freezing rain later this afternoon, with a return to snow flurries in the evening. Freezing rain is treacherous business, we advise you to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary!