NWS: "Extremely dangerous winter weather"
With Blizzard Warnings in effect until 7 p.m. Wednesday from the Virginia suburbs of Washington, through Baltimore to Philadelphia and New York City, the National Weather Service is warning that weather conditions have begun to deteriorate. With heavy snow and winds gusting as high as 60 mph, attempts to travel could become life-threatening.
Total snow accumulations still could reach 10 to 20 inches, with windblown drifts 2 to 4 feet deep.
The entire state of Maryland is now under a Blizzard Warning! Has this EVER happened before?
Says Steve Zubrick, NWS science officer in Sterling: "I'm not sure about when the last time all of MD. was in a blizzard warning ... but right now you are in a blizzard! (or as close as you'll ever be in one.)
"Not how there are lulls interspersed with outrageous, near whiteout conditions. That's a characteristic of the random nature of these howling winds. Enjoy!"
In a Special Weather Statement issued at 8:24 a.m., forecasters at Sterling said:
"...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS THIS MORNING FOR
THE BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON REGION...THE EASTERN PANHANDLE OF WEST
VIRGINIA...
"DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THIS MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON. LIFE
THREATENING BLIZZARD CONDITIONS HAVE DEVELOPED RAPIDLY ACROSS THE
BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON REGION THIS MORNING.
"AT 7:27 AM THIS MORNING...A WIND GUST WAS RECORDED TO 60 MPH AT
MANASSAS VIRGINIA. NUMEROUS WIND GUSTS OVER 40 MPH HAVE OBSERVED
AROUND THE REGION ALONG WITH WHITE-OUT CONDITIONS."
The Blizzard Warning issued for Baltimore is in effect until 7 p.m.. It still calls for 10 to 20 inches of new snow before the storm ends late today. The heaviest period of snowfall will be from this morning through the early afternoon.
Forecasters said an additional 2 to 5 inches are possible this morning.
BWI has already received 5.2 inches as of 7 a.m. That means this is now the snowiest winter on record (since 1883) for Baltimore. The old record was 62.5 inches, set in 1995-96. We are now at 65.6 inches and counting.
More accumulation reports are coming in. Here is a sampling of 7 to 8 a.m. measurements:
Sykesville, Howard County: 11 inches
Jarrettsville, Harford: 9 inches
Ellicott City, Howard: 9 inches
Mount Airy, Carroll: 8.5 inches
Long Green, Baltimore: 7.8 inches
Camp Springs, Prince George's: 7.1 inches
Bel Air, Harford: 6.5 inches
Columbia, Howard: 6.1 inches
Crofton, Anne Arundel: 5.5 inches
(SUN PHOTO/Frank Roylance/Whiteout in Cockeysville)
Comments
FR: Just received this from Steve Zubrick, science officer at NWS Sterling:
Frank,
On my drive to work this Wed morning (Feb 10, 2010) between 730-800AM EST (6 Mile: from Herndon VA out to our WFO in Sterling VA), I experienced _true_ blizzard/whiteout conditions at several points along
Rt 606 between Rt 28 and the turn into our office.
This likely coincided with a measured wind gust at the Dulles ASOS (KIAD) at 747 AM EST of 44 MPH...and a radar band that was producing 2"/hr snowfall rates (confirmed at one site).
Our facility is on the north side of Dulles Airport on a flat grassy plain. Conditions on-site where completely whiteout at times...just before 8AM.
No-one should be out driving. While the roads I drove on were passable in terms of snowfall, surface visibility was non-existent at times. I literally couldn't see beyond the front of my hood.
Both nrn VA VDOT and PePco have pulled their crews off the roads.
fyi...we just experienced at (905 AM) a snow-nado!! (A vortex of blowing snow that moved approximately 100 yds on the north side of our building on Rt 606. It doesn't do any damage...it was just kinda neat seeing the swirling of heavy snow! -Steve Z.
Posted by: Frank Roylance | February 10, 2010 9:22 AM
Reports out of D.C. are that the blizzard is hitting it really hard right now ... is it moving up this way?
FR: Yes.
Posted by: J.M. | February 10, 2010 9:29 AM
The media really should address the challenge of all the many horse farms in the area. The snow is a major problem when it is taller than your fence lines...
There is no where to plow and push the snow...
And now, with the wind, the drifts will create more snow banks...
FR: A serious problem for horse farmers, and horses, but it does not affect very many humans. I suspect the media will remain focused on transportation, economic and public safety issues during the storm.
Posted by: Rene' | February 10, 2010 9:49 AM
Re: the note from Steve Z
Wouldn't that snow-nado be closer to a snow-devil, aka a dust-devil in warmer, dryer weather? Or is that a regional term from further out west? Either way, cool to see.
What a month we are having!
Posted by: Corine Schramke | February 10, 2010 9:52 AM
In Owings Mills we're at 13" as of about o 9:30 am. This is insane
Posted by: Jamie | February 10, 2010 10:08 AM
Snow humor, from some very clever readers/twitterers at this blog!
Wed, Feb 10 at 9:51 am: So, we have back-to-back blizzards in DC, earthquakes in Chicago, and torrential rains in CA this week. It's the Crapture! #mdsnow
Posted by: Lisa Simeone | February 10, 2010 10:11 AM
This is a little disturbing... a huge sheet of snow and ice (with fang-like icicles) is hanging off our neighbors' roof:
http://twitpic.com/12epjw
Anyone know if there is anything we can or should do about this? Looks like the TV cable line is the only thing holding it up.
Posted by: Andrew Hazlett | February 10, 2010 11:09 AM
Should I be concerned about the amount of snow on the porch/garage roof ? Do I need to get out the window and sbovel ! How much weight can roofs take?
FR: Yes, you should be concerned, especially if it starts raining. Gutters can also be damaged by heavy loads of snow and ice. But do not start climbing out on the roof. Better to lose the roof than your life. In general, buildings are designed to take as much snow and ice as local codes calculate they're ever likely to see. Older buildings, flat roofs and those in considerable disrepair become problematic. If you're really worried, consult a professional roofing company. Some will clear your roof of snow and ice. It's worth the money.
Posted by: Dennis | February 10, 2010 11:31 AM
Please watch my video
(link deleted)
It's about climate change, earth catastrophe and our planet as we lives in.
Thank you.
FR: Already posted your link once. That was plenty. Thanks.
Posted by: Andi Prama | February 12, 2010 9:45 AM