Never seen snow

[WEATHER53]

Kinda surprized me that several posters have never been in it, touched it, or seen it fall.
I think it is a special experience to miss. I have never been in 125 degree heat but do not think I am missing anything special.
The soft, white alluring coating put down by snowfall, the muffling of sound, the lilting drifting of flakes sifting to the ground, the faint hush and hue of fading light in the evening, the irradescent glow as street lights come on, the illumination of a normally dark woods that the accumulated whiteness creates, the satisfying crunch underneath your feet, the odd sense of safety and purity that is brought forth, all are special and found from snow alone.

[ColdFront77]

It sure is possible not to see snow, those that have grown up in southern and central Florida and has never left that region.

It is relatively easy to not be able to get to areas where snowfall is prevalent enough that they are in that part of the country during the winter.

[FreakyWxChick]

I grew up in Florida and lived there until I was 30. The only time I had seen snow was when I was in 2nd grade. There was an announcement over the intercom that it was snowing and all the kids ran outside to see it. It was only flurries, but I will never forget how that felt to experience it for the first time.

On a side note, all of my family still lives in FL. Neither of my sisters have seen snow nor have any of their children. They are missing out on alot. I had a friend fly up and visit me during a small snowstorm we had. He spent the entire night on our porch just watching it fall.

[mathias1979]

I have to agree...if I ever had to move to Florida or any other snowless area, I'd make it a point to take a weeks vacation north every winter just to get my fix. I simply couldn't live without it. It's so calming just to sit by the fire and watch the snow fall. Or a nice walk outside just to experience the serenity that accompanies a nice big snow

-Matt

[JCT777]

I have to agree...if I ever had to move to Florida or any other snowless area, I'd make it a point to take a weeks vacation north every winter just to get my fix. I simply couldn't live without it. It's so calming just to sit by the fire and watch the snow fall. Or a nice walk outside just to experience the serenity that accompanies a nice big snow

-Matt

I echo your sentiments. I would feel disappointed if I went through a winter season without seeing snow. I once considered moving to Florida, on the condition that I would be able to come back to PA between Christmas and New Year's Day. But then there is also a decent chance that I don't see any snow during that week. So I think I will be staying where I am.

[donsutherland1]

For those who have never experienced a snowfall, the following is a photo from the January 3-4, 2003 snowstorm in Albany, New York in which the city received more than 20":

<img src="http://wintercenter.homestead.com/files/010403-7.jpg">

Here's another photo near sunrise along the Long Island Sound following the December 5, 2002 snowfall (Westchester County in New York):

<img src="http://worldimages.homestead.com/files/mp15.jpg">

Without doubt, there's a beauty to the snow that can never be captured by photos. Hopefully, the photos can at least convey a sense of that beauty.

[Amanzi]

Thanks for the pictures!

The first time I ever saw snow was last winter. We went camping up near Grandfather mountain in NC... I was so blessed to actually experience falling snow, it only lasted a few hours, enough to get a dusting! I live in Florida, and am already nagging my husband to take me up to the snow. Never know if you may miss the storm though.. best bet I think is to just watch the weather forecasts

[mathias1979]

Well you could just arrange a trip to the mountains where you're pretty much guaranteed some snow no matter what week you're there during the winter. The lake effect regions during the fall through early winter are usually a good bet as well. But even though you might be guaranteed some snow...there's still something about a good old east coast winter storm. There's something to be said for a storm where you start with nothing on the ground, and several hours later everything being transformed and covered by snow. It's like you step into a different world.

-Matt

[GAStorm]

Those are great pictures! I went to Albany, NY last Thanksgiving, and experienced a quick 4 or 5 inches of snow in two hours! I really hope it snows in places that don't normally see it this year! There is a certain feeling of peace when it snows, and it's beauty is the reason I will always love it!!

[ColdFront77]

I agree as well. Living in southeastern Massachusetts, experiencing snow events throughout the 1980's and 1990's was always exciting. I do miss the New England winters, ever since my move to central Florida in early June 2000. I have been missing light snow event, nevermind snowstorms. Hopefully, some day in the several years I will be able to see snow some where in November through March.

My parents wanted to move away from the snow and ice and I wanted to (actually had no choice) move here with them.

I did experience sleet mixed with cold rain, on Saturday, May 18th, 2002 when I was visiting family in Massachusetts.

[StormCrazyIowan]

WEATHER53, I do not think I could have said it any better myself! I get all of those feelings you mentioned! Especially the first snow of the season, it has such an inexplainable magical quality that doesn't change whether you've seen it once or 1000 times!!

I have some pictures of snow on the site I have on my S2K profile, they are from last season, when we didn't get much, but they are still pretty pictures, you are more than welcome to go take a peek, if you haven't seen them already that is!

[wxnut]

I have to agree with everyone that a fresh snowfall is a thing of beauty, but as a tractor trailer driver it is the last thing I want to see when I'm out on the road. I would prefer that the white stuff would stay up in Canada.

[StormCrazyIowan]

LOL Wxnut, ever go to Blue Beacon Truckwashes? I used to work at one! Yeah, if I drove a big rig like that I wouldnt want it either!

[azsnowman]

I "gotta" have snow, snowmen NEED snow to survive "LOL!"

I've lived in the high country (7200-12,000 feet) all of my life, I have to have snow, especially during the holidays of course. I can't even imagine what it's like NOT to have snow in the winter. Our average snowfall per year for Pinetop is 132"....up higher, I'm at 7200 feet, the average snowfall is 210-220"

Dennis

[bkhusky2]

I've seen snow, got pictures of me being in 18", but of course I don't remember it back then. The biggest snow event I can remember is a puny 3" about 4 years ago, and a 2" snow nearly 3 years ago, nothing since. I really really want some snow this year, it's been really sad going 2 winters without even the ground beginning to turn white.

[breeze]

Snows were deeper here, when I was younger...and, by "deep"
(all your northern folk ), I mean 3"...that was enough to sled on!
There are only flurries and 1" snowfalls, now. Just once....I would
like to experience one of those 6" or more snows that the northern
states have - of course, I WON'T have to drive to work in it, as
the first 1/2" freaks everyone out and work and school closes,
here!

[Deenac813]

I have lived in south florida my whole life & I have never seen snow either

[wxnut]

LOL Wxnut, ever go to Blue Beacon Truckwashes?

No I haven't. I run it through the wash rack at the terminals.

[azsnowman]

Of course breeze, you gotta stop and remember, a meteor fell from the sky and sent the world into a nuclear winter, remember when the dinosaurs died?? "LOL!" "JUST KIDDIN' ANNETTE, JUST KIDDING!"

Dennis

[opera ghost]

This was the only time I'd actully seen snow on the GROUND. (Wyoming, last year on the 2nd of July- that blob in black is me with a big straw hat- turns out living at sea level my entire life I can't get accoustomed to the sun in the mountains.) I saw snow fall only once when I was in middle school- but most of it melted as soon as it hit the ground or in mid air and it was like a spring sprinkle more than a full rush of snow falling.

Someday I'll be in the mountains in winter... Someday...

Untill then- I really don't expect to see snow. Heck sleet is even pretty uncommon where I am. Someday.

Untill then I'll remember how FREAKING COOL it was to see a snow drift in July!