Blizzard of 06?

[Jim Cantore]

Could it be enough?

[ohiostorm]

More storms this month and March will take the reign of Blizzard of 06.

[Jim Cantore]

I hope so lol

[Tyler]

Quite possibly. This could be another Feb 1983. If you recall, 1982 - 1983 was very crappy for the northeast, I think it was a raging el nino, so it was warm and snowless (of course the northeast's problem this year has been the pacific jet). However, that one storm in Feb 1983, which set all those 24 hour snowfall records, really made up for that crapfest of a winter...

[Stephanie]

I think it will. It's rare when we have multiple huge storms in one winter. We may have snow storms but the accumulations normally amount to much less than the anticipated 8 - 12" of snow we're supposed to get out of this system. I think that this is the "big one" for 2006.

[WaitingForSiren]

The funny thing is, a storm of this proportion could happen in the Plains and nobody would refer to it as "the big one", but just because it hits the eastern seaboard with all the big cities it'll go down in history. Sad but true.

[Persepone]

The funny thing is, a storm of this proportion could happen in the Plains and nobody would refer to it as "the big one", but just because it hits the eastern seaboard with all the big cities it'll go down in history. Sad but true.

I guess that has to do with "unusual." The Plains are sort of known for storms of epic proportions... When cities like New York and Boston get a foot of snow, they become sort of magical wonderlands for a while as everything just sort of stops and becomes quiet and beautiful. And people who normally rush around ignoring each other totally or frowning as they read the paper on the subway, etc. come out of their houses and smile... And the kids and some of the more intrepid adults go out and play in the snow... The flip side is that there are often tragedies that come from this type of snow... carbon monoxide poisoning as people try makeshift ways to keep warm, horrific accidents when people who don't know how to drive in snow take to the roadways, etc.

So yes, it is sad, but true... What is "unusual" weather for us is "common" for you. When we moved here 8 years ago, we were told we would not need our snowblower because "it never snows on Cape Cod--and if it does, there's only a little and the salt air melts it quickly." Well, our snowblower sat in the garage--until our 24+ inches last year... They were sort of right... So yes, it is sort of unusual... And that's what makes it newsworthy

[WaitingForSiren]

I dont know, I always thought the northeast gets MORE big storms than here in MN. I think the frequency of the storms are less than our mini snowstorms we get with 6 or so inches, but almost every time the east coast gets a storm its one of those 1-2 footers. I know a guy from MA who lives near boston and he got a foot plus back in december...so its not like there hasnt been a snowstorm this year. Our biggest storm this year was 7 or so inches. we havent gotten a foot or more since like 1999, so for us major snowstorms have actually become quite rare.

[Persepone]

Actually it's not the snow totals, but the blizzard conditions. If we get 3"/hour as our current NWS warning predicts, with winds that gust to 60 mph, the snow depth is not what we worry about...

However, perhaps my reading is skewed, but all those really scary accounts of people being in blizzards and surviving against all odds, etc. all seem to take place in Minnesota and other Plains states... And perhaps my reading has been skewed by the stuff my grandchildren read about American history, but it does seem that you have pretty amazing weather! Or perhaps just the most eloquent writers about weather. As I write this, I can conjure up 1/2 dozen really scary storm stories that all happened in the Minnesota area...

Yeah, we did get that foot of snow in Boston (I was working in Woburn at the time). But not the 3"/hour (it was about 1"/hour) and not the high winds to go with it. Here on Cape Cod, we also get coastal flooding, etc. to go with it (think storm surge). A Nor'Easter is more like a winter hurricane than a regular snowstorm because it does involve amazing waves, high winds, trees going down, roof damage, etc. power outages, etc. etc.

[WaitingForSiren]

I guess, it's just that noreasters are so common it seems. All those major storms youre thinking of happened in the early 90s or 80s/70s. We havent gotten slammed for a LONG time. we do get nasty alberta clippers, though.

[BlizzzardMan]

We seem to miss just about everything where I'm at, which is Pittsburgh. Always to far west to get these nor easters that end up slamming the big cities. Too far south to get the LES, at least any reasonable amounts from it. Anything that we get is usually a half inch here and there. I'd rather get dumped on once or twice a year and get no snow the rest of the time, then get a bunch of dustings.

[Yankeegirl]

I am so jealous... The Woonsocket,RI (02895) area is expected to get about a foot of snow, but as I look at the live web cams, it really hasnt started yet? Go figure.. Good luck and enjoy!!!

[Coredesat]

It certainly won't be called that where I am, but it might be for some areas further north. Some areas of DC have nearly a foot of snow, whereas Richmond (which was forecast to get 3-6 inches) has half an inch of rain and very little accumulating snow.

[Stephanie]

The funny thing is, a storm of this proportion could happen in the Plains and nobody would refer to it as "the big one", but just because it hits the eastern seaboard with all the big cities it'll go down in history. Sad but true.

It also has to do with the total population that's affected by the snow. The East Coast from DC to Boston is a megalopolis where the population is in the millions.

Nor'easters don't always equate to 1 - 2 foot snows. We've had Nor'Easters during the winter where it's been nothing more that a cold, windy rain storm.

[Weatherfreak14]

Looks of the video shot out of New york this morning, it looks this is to be called blizzard of 06.

[Extremeweatherguy]

This probably will be known as the blizzard of 06'. Video out of the Boston area is quite intense. Blinding snow, wind gusts to 50mph, and 20 foot+ waves. Also, some places will recieve 20-25"+ snowfall totals. It will be hard to top this one...but who knows...in such a crazy year we might be able to.

[Jim Cantore]

I think its no doubt now, snow totals and forcasts keep going up.

[Tstormwatcher]

All time record snow in NYC, blizzard conditions from NJ to Maine. Deffinitely the Blizzard of 2006.

[lester]

Without a doubt...yes it will

[Extremeweatherguy]

All time record snow in NYC, blizzard conditions from NJ to Maine. Deffinitely the Blizzard of 2006.

agreed. There is no way we can top the 27" in NYC and widespread blizzard conditions.