Frank- the current temps in the region are 34 in Balt (according to Sun Page) and 35 here in Columbia (according to my digital thermometer thingie) How will the slightly higher than predicted temps effect the accumulation totals overall. I can see that it isn't accumulating here yet, but I'm sure that will change as it gets later in the day. Foot's team had predicted 1" by 1pm and we don't have any of it sticking... yet.

FR: As the snow that's falling now evaporates, it will cool the atmosphere and the picture will change. We've already dropped 2 degrees here at The Sun. And it's colder aloft where the snow is forming. We'll have plenty of snow before long.

Best forecast ever:
http://www.accuweather.com/video-on-demand.asp?video=1671939093

But first it has to cool off, so 1-2 inches can stick...so far it's basically rain..

FR: It will cool off. Then the water will freeze. Then it will snow on top of the ice.

Frank, between you and the Foot Team, I can't keep up with the posts! :-)

Though this goes for all the updates, wherever they may be: There's always at least one commenter who's not subject to the laws of physics like the rest of us mere mortals. This time, it seems to be King Artie the Fourth (sorry, but his name's so long I can't remember it). He keeps posting about how great he is at driving in the snow, blah blah blah.

It's the Arties and their ilk who clog up the roads, cause accidents, and then, as the coup de grace, ditch their cars in a snowdrift, thus making it impossible for the road crews to do their job. Never fails.

Meanwhile, the rest of us who grew up in snowy climes have a healthy respect for Mother Nature, and don't feel the need to brag about our supposed driving prowess. We stay off the roads, hunker down, shovel for ourselves and our neighbors, and if we do need to go out, we walk.

Let me know when the snow starts falling, until then, I'm not buying into the hype.

Chris, It's started.

EVERYBODY DANCE NOW!!

I am with Chris. Until I see it I am thinking we top out at 12 or so inches.

Tyler, that forecast is hilarious!

It's been snowing since noon here in Carroll County on the MD/PA line. The temperature has dropped from 38 at noon to 33 at 2 PM.

This Floridian would like to know if it'll really be feasible to walk 1.5 miles for a mandatory exam with sub-standard boots in 30 inches of snow. I missed the 2003 storm, so I have no idea what I'm up against!

Oh..this is good, reflections of my days cleaning-up Gorky Park...LET IT SNOW ..LET IT SNOW...LET IT SNOW..

jhc, I think you need decent boots. And high ones, up to the knees. You also need to bundle up. There's cold, and then there's cold, and no matter what the temperature, wet cold, which is what we get here, is a lot worse than dry cold.

I am scheduled to work and drive 30 miles each way. I have vacation time, should I call out?

Frank, is it possible in a storm of this magnitude for thunder snow like it did during the February 1983 blizzard while I was a student at then Towson State?

Oh and I am dying down here with only miserable cold rain while you all will get clobbered with your 2nd blizzard in back-to-back months.

But I did have my snow fun at the Polar Bear Plunge last Saturday.

Would you agree the weather that weekend had all the ingredients necessary for the Plunge to live up to its' name P-O-L-A-R; a blinding raging snowstorm, water temp in the low 30's, air temp in the 20's and falling, wind gusts of 10-15 mph with wind chill of 7 degrees and thousands of crazy and insane people?

BTW, see the first 8 pictures in the Share Your Weather Pictures Section. They're mine.

Mark
FR: Yes. Seems to me I did see a forecast of thundersnow for Saturday.

also frank--
if you live in an area that loses power frequently, like i do, and if you pay your bills and bank online, do it now, just in case. and . . . do all that laundry laying around and run the dishwasher. you don't want to be living in complete squalor 'til things thaw out again . . .

I have been posting on my blog on Weather Underground (cws6196) that we would see 30 or even more for the past couple days now. The NWS is a bit slow to come around to what the data has been showing us for awhile now. You can also find my posts on Baltimore's weather website: Baltimore Groundhog

jhc - Feasible if you don't mind losing a foot to frostbite or worse. Nothing's mandatory when it involves risking death.

Hi, Frank! Is there a word for having a fear of snow? I think I'm starting to suffer from it.

FR: Actually, there is: Chionophobia. You heard it here first.

Looks like it's FINALLY sticking on grassy areas and cars in Elkridge. Still skeptical, but it is starting to stick.

To Dan: Call Out!

Frank, a fellow New Englander! Hail from Swansea, MA here, now in Balto area--I don't remember snow like this since blizzard of '78.

Were you still in New England for that storm?

Looking forward to a cozy weekend with the family! Be safe everyone!!

FR: I was, with a toddler and a new baby. We've had a couple like this since I arrived here in 1980, most recently in Feb. 2003.

Like many phobias, "chionophobia" is from the Greek (chion, snow + phobos, fear).

Ironically, Greek is the subject of my exam tomorrow. Fun times.

Excellent choice Frank adding Eric "the Red" as a source. I've known him 15 years and he nails nthem like Stover nails field goals.

He nailed the Dec. 18/19 storm before the models did -seven days out.

Great guy to talk weather with too-

Hey Eric-Glad your finally getting your due buddy!!!

5pm in Bel Air--- still no snow sticking. ... will not be happy if i have to work tomorrow!

It will not stick in fact I think we will only get 6-12 inches if that. Just like Baltimore meteoroligists. Every drop of snow is an event and it gets over hyped.

Uh, Dan, don't look now but I think it's safe to stay that this heavy, wet, driving snow is most definitely sticking. I think we are way beyon 6-12 inch territory.

We left Baltimore April 1, 2009 and winter (snow) was one reason. We now live in Costa Rica at 3900 ft elevation with average highs of 75 degrees and lows of 62 degrees. I don't miss shoveling snow at all!

CoCoRAHS starting to report totals...over 28" and counting in Columbia and Elkridge.