Use the following links to go right to a set of pictures:
I don’t ever recall having final accumulations predictions for over 2 feet, but as I type this that’s exactly the situation for today.
So, I decided to create this page as a photo documentation of the Blizzard of 2013’s. I’ve got 4 shots that I’ll update throughout the storm with times added to mark the pace of snow accumulation. Ideally, I’ll try to update every hour or so, though I don’t think it’ll get interesting until much later. I’m also considering taking pictures to create an animated GIF of the storms accumulation.
We’ve got 4 pictures here, one is of a yardstick I tied to a post on our deck, the others are just other visual aids to show accumulation. This first set of pictures was taken at 10:00AM EST.
OK, as of 11:10 there isn’t any meaningful progress to report. I’ve taken a picture of the yardstick for the purposes of creating the GIF, but it isn’t worth adding here at this point. No need to be overly dogmatic so early in the game.
First photo update of the day- the same 4 photos as last time. These were taken at 12:05PM, though I’m not getting them up until 12:55PM or so. Not a huge difference, but we’re at about an inch now and the world is certainly looking white. In particular, the grass is no longer visible and the bushes have been frosted by the snow now.
Latest update, these pic’s were taken around 2:05PM EST today. We’ve got a bit over an inch now. It’s starting to look like the pace of the snow is picking up. It’s actually kinda warm, 32.2F, as I’m adding this update.
The snow is very heavy and forms awesome snowballs, much to the kid’s delight. The shrubs are starting to get weighed down by the snow, which shows up in the pic’s below. If it continues like this, digging out is going to be something just short of epic- our snowblower doesn’t do the real heavy stuff well. The last thing I want to do is dig out by hand.
Interestingly, the forecast for our area has dropped back to 16-24″. I checked a forecast and the 2-foot-plus band is pretty close to us. I guess it’s still coming together like the forecasters thought and it’s just the details now. The boy decided to install a ruler over at the play gym, so we’ll have two points for comparison here as things unfold.
4:30PM on 2/8
Alright, I’ve reorganized the page pretty significantly. Text updates will appear hear, right above the start of the pictures. I’ll also start adding the update time more prominently as you see here. The pictures have also all been re-grouped so the same pictures are together for purposes of making comparisons are easier.
So the latest pictures were taken at 4:05PM. We’re now up around 2 inches accumulation, still pretty unimpressive. Unfortunately, the snow continues to be heavy, though the temperatures are starting to drop so hopefully that changes. Also, I’ve heard that lower temperatures means faster accumulation, so I’d expect the rate to pick up here over the next few hours. At the current pace, it’ll have to if we’re going to get anywhere near the predicted accumulations. It also seems like the winds are starting to pick up.
The boy has been going outside to take pictures as well. He has a little Coolpix camera, so he wants to earn his photography belt loop for Scouts. So I’m not the only one photo-documenting this thing.
5:15PM on 2/8
Latest set of pic’s is up. I took them around 5:05PM. The storm is definitely intensifying with more winds and steadier snow fall. We’re up to 3 inches or so now.
The kids keep wondering when it will become a blizzard. We keep telling them to wait for it.
6:30PM on 2/8
I’m not going to lie, this is getting a bit tedious. That said, it’s starting to pay off. The latest pictures were taken around 6:15PM.
The storm is really hitting its stride right now- we’re up to about 5 inches. The falling snow can be seen in a couple of the new pictures and it’s coming down as fast as it looks. Possibly faster.
I’ll probably be heading out to do some plowing or shoveling to keep the workload down for tomorrow.
7:15PM on 2/8
Wow. Latest pictures are from 7:05PM. We’ve probably hit two inches an hour now. Temperatures have fallen to 28F and are continuing down. Wind is up.
The kids shoveled the front walk and wanted us to check it out. By the time we got there, the walk was covered with snow again, perhaps 15 minutes later. We tried to tell them they hadn’t done anything, but they weren’t having any of that.
9:00PM on 2/8
Hard to believe it’s only been a couple hours since I last updated.
First, these pic’s were taken at roughly 8:50PM. And, as should be evident from them, the storm has simply exploded. I don’t think there’s any other way to put it. The temp is 24F and falling. The wind is very gusty. The measurement on the yardstick was at 14 inches.
To say it’s awesome outside is an understatement. I’ve been out snowblowing our driveway for the past couple hours. When I started, there was probably 7 inches or so. By the time I was done, there was easily another 4 inches on stuff I’d already blown and it was well over a foot for the fresh areas. There were times when the wind gusted and the trees simply exploded with snow.
If the current snowfall rates here are maintained for overnight, then we’ll be over 2 feet. The fact that the heavy stuff is still to come is truly amazing.
It’s safe to say this one has and will live up to the hype.
10:15PM on 2/8
The wind hasn’t letup, but the snow has. A bit. Latest pics taken at 10:00PM.
Current accumulation stands at 15.5 inches. Temperature is 22.5F and continuing to fall. Winds gusts have picked up a bit, if anything.
Looking at the current radar, looks like the heavy band passed over us while I was out plowing. That explains the snow fall rate at that time. Obviously, at only another inch-and-a-half, it’s slowed significantly. But then, at this rate with the storm supposed to last through the night, we’re still on course for over 2 feet.
11:15PM on 2/8
Accumulation measurement up to 16.5 inches. Temperature down to 20F and still falling. Winds have stabilized a bit. Don’t let that last bit fool you though, that just means they haven’t gotten noticeably worse.
I’m beginning to wonder about the location of my accumulation measurement. It’s essentially on the outside of our deck, which is on the East side of the house. I’m thinking the measurement is low.
To look outside, there’s just snow everywhere. I can’t use the flash on the camera because all I get in the picture are falling flakes. It’s hard to believe that we’re only getting 1 inch each hour currently.
We do have another measurement setup but it’s in the middle of the yard and I’m not going to get to it until tomorrow.
12:35AM on 2/9
Good Morning! Ugh.
Last one for the night. Latest pictures taken around 12:30AM EST. Accumulation seems to have held fast at 16.5 inches, which just can’t be right. The temperature is at 18.5F and still falling. Wind is as gusty as it’s been. Wish I had an anemometer to give an idea for wind speeds.
I say the accumulation can’t be right because there’s still snow everywhere out there and, windy as it is, I find it hard to believe it’s the same snow getting blown all over the place. Looking at the pics, things continue to slowly but surely get covered and become less distinct which would seem to indicate continued accumulations. The radar is showing that there’s still snow falling from the sky as well, so I’m not sure what to make of my accumulation measurement for the moment.
Time to get some sleep now. We’ll get back at it in a few hours here.
7:00AM on 2/9
Up and back at it. Latest round of pictures as of 6:45AM.
We have hit 2 feet. I realized what the “issue” with my measuring is. It’s on the edge of a deck and the snow tails off at the edge. The other specs are the temperature is at 19.5F and steady. The wind is gusts are still present, but overall the wind isn’t like it was last night.
The snow continues to fall as well. Looks like at a pretty good clip as well. It is white everywhere. The dig out from this is going to be incredible.
I tried to let the dogs out this morning. They tried to go out into the snow and it was over their shoulders, so they gave up. That’s a first. Usually they love snow and just tear through it, porpoising through it.
8:10AM on 2/9
Latest set of pictures from 8:00AM.
Latest accumulation measurement still stands at 24 inches, but it’s bogus. A couple more inches have fallen on the path I cleared. The temperature is holding at 19.5F and the snow continues to fall. Wind gusts haven’t changed appreciably.
9:15AM on 2/9
The storm is finally winding down. I’ll probably have one more update after this one as a final wrap sort of thing.
Latest pictures are from 9:05AM. Accumulation is up to 26 inches, winds gusts are letting up and temp is up to 20F, basically still steady. Snow is still falling, but without the intensity of the past few hours. I expect it will have moved out in the next hour or so.
I’m heading out to start the cleanup. I think it’s gonna be awhile.
12:45PM on 2/9
And that’s a wrap. Took me 3 hours to clear out the driveway just to the point we could drive the cars to get out of it. It’s probably 85% cleaned, and that’s where it’ll stay until the snow is gone.
The final accumulation hasn’t changed since the last update, so there it remains- 26 inches of powder.
I’m putting the “after” pictures on the main blog page. I’ll update this page with a link to it when the post is completed.
Finally, I’d just like to say kudo’s to the forecasters. They got this one right.
5 replies on “Blizzard of 2013”
Perhaps another yard stick [or reasonable equivalent] out by the play yard, or down near the garden area might give a more accurate measure of the accumulation – since wind/etc. might not be the same factor as the area on the deck ! It would also keep the lad busy if you sent him out to gather updated measurements periodically … It started snowing here around 9:00 … doesn’t seem likely that it will change to rain … as the temps are below freezing. Our prognosticators indicate totals between 6-12″ .. not significant compared to what you might get … we’ll ALL be watching … and hopefully -> the power won’t go out!
Sounds like a good idea. I’ll mention it to the boy and see what he thinks, let him choose the spot as well.
Hands On Science ! ! The best way for him to LEARN ! !
Impressive documentary … too bad the most significant accumulation will happen when it’s dark outside … hoping you’ll still be able to see the yard stick … I suspect the play yard will be submerged – along with most of the garden features !
Looks the you will ALL be busy today … two kids will have something to do … without a doubt !