Monster Winter Storm Starts Friday In US

[Cristiano]

The US is getting what is being called a once in a century winter storm that will affect more than 150 million people. Massive amounts of snow and dangerous ice storms will cover the majority of the US this weekend. Please stay safe. Areas in the south are getting an ice storm that can knock out power for weeks. Make sure you are prepared, though it is a bit late for that. Good luck to everyone affected.


Monster storm about to hit millions with catastrophic ice and heavy snow

 

[Dakota Tebaldi]

Everyone stay safe and please check up periodically on vulnerable people you know who might be in the path of this thing, just to be sure!

I assume the people who know they'll be affected by this already made sure they have food and gas by now, but charge up all your tech tonight too. In really big weather like this, I tend to like to keep my phone on its charger all day just so that if the power does unexpectedly go out, I know I'm starting off with a full battery.

 

[Veritable Quandry]

We are expecting mostly snow with subzero (in Freedom Units, not metric) temps. I have gas to run the generator for about a day if we need it. Probably teaching class online Monday.

 

[Caete]

While my residence is way south in the area, we are expected some freezing rain. I've friends off in Little Rock, Indiana, Michigan and Boston so I've reached out to them and they are all sheltered at home with plenty of supplies to wait it out if they lose power. I hope everyone in the storm area comes thru it with minimal issues.

 

[Essence Lumin]

In really big weather like this, I tend to like to keep my phone on its charger all day just so that if the power does unexpectedly go out, I know I'm starting off with a full battery.

It is good to start full, but if you need to and have a car you can plug it into your car without turning on the engine at least on my car. The amount it draws charging won't do anything to drain your battery.

 

[Cristiano]

If you are able to, once the storm passes, please check in so we know you are ok.

 

[Soen Eber]

It's starting to slide out here in Minneapolis. Still sub-zero but teens expected for the work week, which is normal.

 

[Archer]

I'm expecting 5-8" of snow followed by about a half inch of ice. I've got plenty of supplies, no need to venture out for a long time, but the main thing I'm worried about is losing power, which means no heat for the house in single digit temps. I do have lots of blankets piled up and a plan for the pipes if it comes to that lol.

 

[Isabeau]

Hooah, it’s cold this morning. Went out to feed the birds, and they grabbed a snack and flew back to eat it in the relatively warmer underbrush.

I‘m lucky, I don’t need to heat, the windows are very well isolated, but hopefully, I’l be staying in this weekend.

We’re expecting a snow storm tomorrow night and Monday morning. Not looking forward to shovelling while it’s this cold.

 

[GoblinCampFollower]

Snow's not started yet but I should be fine as long as I don't lose power or anything..... knock on wood. I got food and what not. Boiling a big pot of water since my indoor humidity was so low this morning. It looks like we're expecting a total of like 9 inches give or take a few. I just hope roads are drivable by Tuesday when I have to travel to the airport.

I rescheduled my evening appointment today for obvious reasons. They didn't sound shocked at all, haha.

EDIT: It started to come down slowly just as I posted this.

 

[Beebo Brink]

We're bracing for 2-3 feet of snow and sub-zero temperatures, pushed even lower with wind chill. -9 degrees is NOT what we're used to in this area.

We'll be fine as long as the power holds out. If we lose that... ouch. Our house is one of the few on this street that still has a functioning fireplace; all the other houses have "modernized" and dismantled their fireplaces. My wife has been stockpiling firewood for years, so we can keep a few rooms warm with a fire, but our main worry would be the pipes.

Our other concern is all the local community cats and how they'll fare. We've been putting out food all day long so they can eat as much as possible before the storm. We know some of them will end up trapped somewhere under the snow -- porches, basements, old sheds -- and god knows when they'll get dug out again. We also put a heated water dish out; there's been a steady influx of strays drinking, so fingers crossed that also does some good. Lastly, we opened the cat hole to one of our garage shed/bays, which is now set up with a dogloo filled with soft blankets and another dish of dry food. We had de-commissioned it for a few years because it was drawing possums, skunks and groundhogs, too, but this counts as emergency use.

 

[Kokoro Fasching]

So far about 1" of snow, is raining the ice pellet snow currently. Supposed to have a high of 18f today. Have generator and enough gas to run for a week if needed. All the cats are curled up in the bed enjoying the quiet

 

[Cindy Claveau]

So far (morning after) we' ve had around 4" with another 3 on the way this afternoon.

We may have a lot of tornadoes, but at least I don't have to shovel today

 

[Katheryne Helendale]

A tornado would remove a snow pile pretty efficiently. Wouldn't wish that on you though.

I've been watching the news keeping track of the weather forecasts, hoping that this storm is more bark than bite. Stay safe, keep warm, and let us know that you made it through. Warm California hugs for all of you!

 

[Sid]

And I was thinking I had a problem because my PC is borking since a few days.
Good luck to you all. Please stay safe.

 

[GoblinCampFollower]

And I was thinking I had a problem because my PC is borking since a few days.
Good luck to you all. Please stay safe.

That's a real problem too! I depend on my PC for so much! haha.

 

[Dakota Tebaldi]

It is good to start full, but if you need to and have a car you can plug it into your car without turning on the engine at least on my car. The amount it draws charging won't do anything to drain your battery.

Yeah, unfortunately my car needs at least key-on in order for its power receptacles to work. But! I have a little jump-start booster for my car, it's really neat because in addition to the booster clamps it also has a couple of USB ports so you can use it for recharging devices. It even has a lighter-socket attachment so you could power something that needs one.

....and a tiny floating compass on the top because why not?

 

[Casey Pelous]

lighter-socket attachment

Dude, "lighter-socket" is not the preferred nomenclature. "12-volt convenience outlet," please.

 

[Free]

Dude, "lighter-socket" is not the preferred nomenclature. "12-volt convenience outlet," please.

I don't call it anything. I just point to the USB converter/adapter plugged into it, and say "use that."

 

[Dakota Tebaldi]

Dude, "lighter-socket" is not the preferred nomenclature. "12-volt convenience outlet," please.

Well either one beats "female power receptacle"...