Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Ready For Some Action!








Don't get me wrong. I really enjoy snow. Notice I didn't say I "love" it. The problem is, in my business you rarely get to enjoy snow. A snow storm can mean a solid 24, 36 or 48 hours at work. But this year - I'm ready! We're overdue for a big one. Forget these little "skiffs" of snow we've had the last few years. Forget the ice. I'm talking about SNOW! In one shot, I want at least six to eight inches of snow; if not more.
The last "big one" in my book goes back to early January 1996. I was a student at Emory & Henry College then. Emory prided itself for never cancelling classes. That happened with this storm. I remember walking across the snow-covered campus the night the snow started. It was beautiful. I remember how quiet it was, until the old trees on campus started to fall under the weight of the snow. You could hear people scream as huge branches nearly struck them. Minus that - it was an awesome snow!
All-time snowfall records were achieved from Virginia, to New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Roanoke reported around two-feet of snow! The storm was classic. Low pressure over the Gulf of Mexico rode up the Atlantic seaboard, while high pressure to the north channeled in cold air. The eastern U.S. was paralyzed by the storm. Interstates were closed. Air travel was haulted.
I bring all this up because it's November. Folks are already asking when the first snow is coming. Will it be a snowy winter? Will we have one 'big one' or several small ones? These are all questions that will be answered in the coming months; but just know that if you're a snow lover - here's at least one meteorologist who's cheering for snow - even if it means working long hours with my weather buddies here at the station!