Please allow me to interject my feelings about Mother Nature

My local news site has 5 stories on its landing page. The headlines:
Preparing for Arctic Outbreak Advised by Local EMS
Significant Arctic Weather Expected
Avoiding Frostbite and Hypothermia
How to Avoid Freezing Pipes
Animal Safety Tips During Cold Weather

 

Crazy winds here in my part of NJ last night. Tree fell down the street and knocked out power for us and part of our neighborhood. Hopefully back by mid-afternoon, but not a great start to 2025.

 

It's 45 outside, but what with the 25 mph wind gusting to 50, it's not nice outside. This BTW will be our warmest day for as long as forecasts go out. Not a chance of above freezing temperatures until mid-month at the earliest.

 

Dick Man Just West of Richmond

 

I was going to say just a warm shower for Richmond.

 

I think we're going to get measurable snow, actually. Would be the first time in at least three years. My phone's app is saying 9-11 inches, which I don't believe. Wunderground has it just shy of five inches, which is more on line with what the local weather station has -- 3-5 inches compacted by freezing rain by Monday evening. Gross.

 

Phone apps are pretty terrible when it comes to precise forecasting. I keep one just to get a general idea of what’s up and so it will trip any weather warnings I actually care about, but I wish I had one that just stuck to the NWS forecast.

 

Western KS is basically shut down for next 2-3 days.
Freezing fog/sleet/freezing rain most of overnight and today. Then more ice overnight. Then up to 8 inches of snow on top.

 

Ice storms are the worst winter has on tap. By a quirk of the polar vortex, the storm is going to miss New England entirely. In fact, we have no precipitation at all in the forecast for the next week. The temperature will not reach above freezing, and there will be 20+ mph winds every day, but that is the result of the high pressure area accompanying the cold. It keeps all moisture south of us. You don't slip and fall on the cold and you don't have to shovel it.

 

Just going to be cold and windy for a few days. The highs will stay above freezing. We might get a flurry on Thursday night and Friday morning but it won't stick. Of course everyone is panicking already.