Seattle Snowpocalypse - The Story Continues (Pictures)

[GOPisEvil]

Outside my office window.



Somewhere down there is my car.

[MrCoffee]

1. What part of town do you work?

[GOPisEvil]

4. Actually, "office" in this case is my spare bedroom.

I'm in Newcastle. The actual office is in Renton.

[hobbit709]

2. Nyah, nyah! 68° and the sun is shing in Austin

[GOPisEvil]

6. Yeah well. When it's 80 in August here, I will be smiling.

This snowfall is very rare. Rain I signed up for; this is craziness!

[hobbit709]

Lot easier to stay cool than to get warm.

And even when it's hot you can go to the lake.

[GOPisEvil]

17. My lake is bigger.

;) And closer. Just down the hill. Don't know that I'd SWIM in it, but it's pretty. :D

Hey, if it weren't for the promotion and being closer to my SO, I'd still be in Austin. :)

[hobbit709]

19. Wonder what the water temperature is.

Turn you blue and make your weewee shrivel up is my guess.

[GOPisEvil]

20. Hahaha! Very true.

:)

[spinbaby]

3. It doesn't look like that much snow

Not by mid-western standards, anyway. Are you just not used to it out there?

[GOPisEvil]

5. We have had over a foot of snow here this winter.

It does not normally snow in Seattle. At all. This is very rare.

[spinbaby]

12. Ah, panic when faced with the unfamiliar

I witnessed an incredible scene in Durham, North Carolina a few years back. It had started to snow. Everyone instantly panicked and got in their cars to rush home. An hour later the snow had stopped and the city was gridlocked.

[uppityperson]

60. Hills. We have hills out here. What is called a mountain in the midwest.

And many places don't use deicers on the road either. It snows. People drive on in and slush out the tire tracks. It freezes and turns into ice. Faced with a hill with ice and cars twirling down it, many of us (even we transplanted flat landers) chose to not go out.

[dixiegrrrrl]

49. Forgive my correction, pls.

Normally does not..or did not, from 1945 to 1986, when I lived there, it
did not snow in Seattle often. About every 3-5 years a 3-4 inch fall.
Every 10 years or so, 8-10 inches,
"normally" washed away within a week when the rains came back, temps came up.
twice I can remember long cold spells, frozen snow for over a week.

This snow fall is longer, you are getting more accumulation, esp. in the outlying areas.
usually being so close to Puget Sound keeps it too warm to snow much.

Hope it is an aberration.
Meanwhile, the "fun" part is watching the demolition derby down the steep hills.

[MrCoffee]

7. Seattle is not used to it and is completely unprepared for it

It's sort of ridiculous out here these days.

[SOteric]

45. Typically, it snows maybe once or twice a year in Seattle,

accummulations of an inch or less, and it doesn't stick around for more than a day. It just doesn't get cold enough for that. For that reason, the city didn't feel it was a wise use of city funds to invest in snow plows, so there might be one or two old plows around somewhere, but we don't have a fleet of them. We have sanding trucks, and under most local conditions, that's all we need. These are unusual conditions for us. The city is unprepared to deal with it. Drivers hereabouts are unused to driving in snow and on ice and the terrain is very hilly. Many side roads are simply closed owing to the hazard. Malls have been dead and some have shut down so as to not lose any more capital. All this in the week leading up to Christmas. I firmly believe in its own way, it's a disaster.

[cemaphonic]

59. Nope

Just because we're as far north as Fargo doesn't mean anything. Eastern Wa gets tons of snow, but the Pacific and Puget Sound keeps Western Washington relatively warm.

[DS1]

8. I just read that they're refusing to use salt on the roads

due to the run-off hitting Puget Sound. And they're using sand instead.


SAND! It makes it worse!

[GOPisEvil]

9. They can do whatever they want.

I'm staying off the roads until this shit melts.

I don't know that it's sand; I always thought it was that kitty litter type stuff.

[MrCoffee]

14. It's the most asinine thing ever

The Seattle Times has a big story today on how bad sand is vs. salt.


"Instead of clearing major roads, Seattle aims to create a "hard-packed" snow surface suitable for all-wheel and four-wheel-drive vehicles, and front-wheel-drive vehicles with chains. The packed snow is then sprinkled with sand and sprayed with de-icer."

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008554976_roads24m.html

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[GOPisEvil]

16. I have no AWD, 4WD or chains.

Hence, I am at home.

Now, on Monday when the roads were hard pack snow, I managed just fine. :shrug: Until I tried getting up the hill into my parking lot at home. Now I'm out on the street. x(

[Suich]

24. I saw that on the news last night!

Dumbest. Idea. Ever.

[Callalily]

10. Frankly, I think all of this

snow that we're (and you of course) are getting is simply beautiful. Then again, this year my commute to work is only 1.3 miles versus 22 from last year.

Here's a most beautiful street that I take to work every day. Taken about 1/2 hour ago.

[GOPisEvil]

11. Oh, it's freaking lovely.

I get to work from home, so I'm just sitting in the heat and enjoying it all.

[Callalily]

13. LOL! You work from home?

Then why the griping about the weather? ;)

Many times I wish that I would work from home.

Actually, I took today off, but am checking my work e-mail, and am having an interesting tete-a-tete with the big boss.

[GOPisEvil]

15. I do not normally work from home.

However, since I am in management, I have the option to work from home when the weather is inclement. Our hourly employees have to show up, use vacation, or be docked pay. :(

I am not griping, per se, but I'd rather have the weather I was promised. Cool, gray and wet I signed on for. The white stuff is for those people out east over the mountains. ;)

[Callalily]

22. Well, you'd best take up your

weather concerns with upper management. I sense some type of completion is required.

Management - LOL (I'm middle). When upper management e-mails us saying that they are working from home we just chuckle.

Hell, when I want a day off, I just call in sick. I've got a brazillion hours of sick pay coming. ;)

[GOPisEvil]

23. Actually, I am at the lowest management level in this huge corporation.

I have to give my manager credit. She and her Land Rover are in the office today.

I have my work computer with e-mail and actual work open alongside my desktop computer. :)

[Callalily]

27. Okay, with those definitions

I am working too. I'm going to have to tell the big boss that today is not officially a vacation day for me. Oh hell, I'm on the payroll today. :rofl:

And just as an aside. He e-mailed everyone that that he's cleaning his office and has found some interesting stuff that we should all read. I asked him when he's done with his office, if he could please saunter down to mine and start cleaning too. Alas, he said he does not have enough time. My office (ahem) is a bit of a challenge.

[GOPisEvil]

29. Office?

Like 4 walls and a door?

I have a fancy cube with windows. And, it's along the outside wall which also has a window. :)

I have only been here 6 weeks, not enough time for my mess to accumulate. ;)

[Callalily]

31. Ahhhhh . . .

only six weeks. Well, you're just feeling your way around. Here's a pic that I took a few days ago. It's a view outside my office. I look at that every day. I am truly blessed. Must update it though, b/c there's a big, huge snow pile now on the "what was once green" space. You can not see the picnic table, and snow is, ummm . . ., well, I'm guessing half way up that tree.

In the spring/summer there's beautiful flowers planted througout.

[GOPisEvil]

32. I have a lovely view of the parking lot and the 405.

:D

[Callalily]

35. 405? Highway?

This?

Ohhhh, sorry to hear that. My view, no matter what weather is great.

When I got my promotion, (they split my position) my first (alright second, raise question - lol) was if I had to move from my office. The answer was "no". "Whew"

I do have a lovely view, not matter what season.

[GOPisEvil]

37. Yes, Los Angeles isn't the only city with a 405.

We have our own. :)

[Callalily]

41. Ohhhhhhh . . . LA . . .

Well, I'm from the Midwest. We only have little roads. :rofl:

[GOPisEvil]

43. This is ours.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_405_(Washington)

[Zomby Woof]

72. And the traffic on BOTH sucks greasy goose turds

I have had the displeasure of being a regular commuter on western WA's 405 and West L.A.'s 405, aka the San Diego Freeway.

x(

[Lorien]

54. Working from home too (when I have work), and it's 81 degrees here today!

I went to the grocery today and a pretty young woman was pedaling by me on the street wearing skimpy shorts, a tank top, sandals and Ray-bans. I thought "now THAT doesn't look like your typical Christmas Eve attire"! lol!

[GOPisEvil]

55. I've worn shorts on Christmas many times.

Those days are over for the present at least. :rofl:

[Phillycat]

18. Wait, you moved to Seattle?

When did that happen? Where have I been? :D :hi:

[GOPisEvil]

21. I moved here last month. I arrived on election day.

Got a promotion, sold the house and moved on up. :hi:

[buddhamama]

25. i missed the big move, too

happy happy for you! :hug:

lovely pictures, btw.

[GOPisEvil]

26. Hey!!!

It's good to see you! :hug:

Yeah, I'm closer to a certain someone, which is the icing on the cake for me.

[buddhamama]

28. sweet!

i am delighted for you both. Merry Merry! :)

[GOPisEvil]

30. You too! Have a great holidays!

[Phillycat]

33. Movin' on up! To the...west side!

Congratulations! :hug:

[GOPisEvil]

38. Thanks, I appreciate it!

:hug:

[cemaphonic]

58. No, Renton is the East Side

(even though parts of it are basically directly south of Seattle)

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

56. Welcome to the Great Northwet!

Yes, Northwet :) If you're a mind to, tune into www.kser.org
A great little community radio station up in Everett...

[uppityperson]

61. Welcome to the northwest.

It is a nice place out here.

[Missy Vixen]

34. We're in Duvall

One of our friends measured the snow on her patio last night before it started snowing AGAIN. She had seventeen inches at that time. We're supposed to get another six inches today.

To say that I was over this a week ago is an understatement. We're housebound, due to the fact we can't get our hands on chains (can't drive to get them; the roads here are insanely icy.) As a result, it's almost time to start baking. We'll be doing the family Christmas on Saturday -- that is, if everyone can get here.



Happy Holidays to all, and it would be nice if the people of Alaska would come on down and pick up their snow. :woohoo:
Julie

[GOPisEvil]

36. No kidding!

Call Gov. Palin to come get this snow! :D

[SeattleGirl]

46. Hey Julie!

I was thinking about you two, wondering if you'd been buried out there. Sounds like it. It's pretty bad here too. It's beautiful, but dang, driving conditions totally suck. I've been working from home for a week!

[bikebloke]

39. Is it the wet, heavy kind of snow?

When I lived there back in the 90's, we had a real dumping. Roofs were caving in. A houseboat down on the lake was about to tip over from the weight of snow on the roof. People living on boats were evacuated, because the marina shelter roofs were sagging. And up on Capital Hill, the other Safeway, up the hill, had its roof collapse.

[GOPisEvil]

40. It's the fluffy type.

At least that is what it has been so far.

[bikebloke]

42. As long as rain doesn't follow.

Then the fluffy stuff turns into sponges.

[GOPisEvil]

44. Er, yeah....rain is forecast for this weekend...

Lovely.

[uppityperson]

62. That is supposed to happen starting about now.

NWS warnings include extra stuff about people with flat roofs and fluffy snow sucking up rainwater. Then, next wk, it will turn into floods.

Sure has been pretty though.

[pokerfan]

47. Spokane County just declared a State of Emergency

We've just been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning from a Storm Watch.

There's another 6-10 inches on the way tonight/tomorrow morning followed by another 1-3 tomorrow afternoon. Which at over 50" total will shatter our record for December snowfall.

And all 50" will have fallen since last Wednesday.

[GOPisEvil]

48. Check, please.

[pokerfan]

51. Now roofs are beginning to cave in

Fun times.

[martymar64]

50. How is Pend Oreille County looking?

My dad lives there and I went to High School in Newport.
What they get in Spokane is usually half of what P.O. County gets.

[pokerfan]

53. It's been a strange series of storms

I think they have about the same. The one that hit two weeks ago hit all the outlying areas and avoided Spokane for the most part. Last Wednesday's just hovered over Spokane.

[TZ]

57. OMFG.

I'm 60" tall. I CANNOT imagine trying to get around in that depth of snow.:scared:

[pokerfan]

68. You can't

It's even impossible for XC skis unless a track has been established. I think snow shoes would just sink. The local meteorologist said the moisture ratio was about 25:1 which is about as dry as snow can possibly get though this next dumping is supposed to be a lot heavier.

[yvr girl]

52. delete

[GOPisEvil]

63. Are you kidding me?! It's snowing AGAIN!

Big, white puffy snowflakes are falling now. I thought this was supposed to switch to rain.

x(

[CatWoman]

64. I thought you lived in Texas?

:shrug:

[GOPisEvil]

65. I moved up here last month.

Got a promotion and made the move. Got here on election day.

[CatWoman]

66. good for you!!

:)

[GOPisEvil]

67. This place has been asshole-free since Zomby left.

That had to be addressed. Now matcom has to move to Austin, Then Zomby to Boston. :D

[Zomby Woof]

71. Ha!

You can't make me choose between Austin and Boston (hey, they rhyme!). :P

But if forced, I would take Austin (as the only place in Texas I could tolerate). But matcom has to move to L.A. :rofl:

[jobycom]

69. First I heard of it!

Congo-rats, but I'll miss you in Austin. :)

[jobycom]

70. Holy Carp! What's all that white stuff? It looks like ash, but scarier!

[yewberry]

73. The "Metro mystery bus challenge" is killing me in West Seattle.

Which buses are running? What routes are they taking today? How many full buses will pass me by before I can finally get on? Oh, it's a puzzler, I tell ya.


Yesterday, after 4 full buses passed by, I walked 2 miles up to the Junction, the first stop on the route--there were about a hundred people waiting there. After almost an hour, one small empty bus arrived. Luckily, I got on, but a lot of people didn't. Who knows how long those folks waited.

There are reports of three-hour waits for buses home to W. Seattle. Every bus in and out is packed solid, even this morning, a semi-holiday. My average commute one way has gone up to about two hours...and I work 6 miles from home.

Seriously, I know Seattle winters are kind of a joke, but conditions have been very bad. Traveling has been dangerous, particularly for older people and families with kids.

I can't wait for our plain old gray and drizzly winter to return.

[SeattleGirl]

74. You and me both!

I managed to bring some files home from my office last Friday (the day between snow storms), and can access stuff at work on the computer. Well, that is, until today. I have a ton of reports that need to be done, and I can't get on the server for my office! GRRR!

[yewberry]

75. Another 2-4" tonight, too.

At least I have tomorrow off and don't have to worry about commuting. I think I'll probably have to work Saturday again this week to get caught up, though.

Wah.