How is the weather?

[Kalevala]

Yikes!!! Unless someone here is posting from Antarctic, I think you win the Coldest Weather Award!

My immediate area is forecast to have 5-10" of snow, which will then be topped by sleet and possibly the biggest issue, freezing rain, which is more likely to cause power outages and fell trees than snow and sleet are. (Other areas just a bit north/northwest are forecast to have 12-18" of snow/sleet.)

Today is fairly mild -- almost in the 40s (F; currently 4°C) and will go a little higher still today -- but the cold air will arrive tonight (16°F, -9°C) and is forecast to stay around for at least the next 10 days, with the lowest (3°F, -16°C) and the highest for that interval topping out at (28°F, -2°C). This is a problem, as my kitchen pipes run along the back wall of the house and typically freeze when temps stay below 25° for several days.

I am considering shutting off the water at the main and draining the pipes for a few of the coldest days, but will see how things go.

Is there any way that you can put some insulation in some key areas to help?  Can you feel any gaps where wind/cold air is coming in?  I did that in one area which seems to have helped.  Or put a heater nearby and run it on the coldest of days?  In any event, sending warm thoughts your way.

Cold here too.  It's supposed to drop to 0 degrees F here today (doesn't include win chill factor which so far here isn't bad).  6-12 inches forecast for my area (with higher amounts predicted to the west and northwest).

K

[owlice]

Is there any way that you can put some insulation in some key areas to help? Can you feel any gaps where wind/cold air is coming in? I did that in one area which seems to have helped. Or put a heater nearby and run it on the coldest of days? 

The pipes are behind kitchen cabinets. I do have all the cabinet doors open, am keeping the kitchen warmer than usual, and have a heater facing the cabinets running (intermittently). I also run the water periodically. The low last night was 9°F (or as I think of it, 9freaking°F) and so far, all is okay. Tonight will be warmer, but Tuesday-Friday, it's back to single digits.

In any event, sending warm thoughts your way.

Same to you! Stay safe!

[Kalevala]

The pipes are behind kitchen cabinets. I do have all the cabinet doors open, am keeping the kitchen warmer than usual, and have a heater facing the cabinets running (intermittently). I also run the water periodically. The low last night was 9°F (or as I think of it, 9freaking°F) and so far, all is okay. Tonight will be warmer, but Tuesday-Friday, it's back to single digits.

Same to you! Stay safe!

Any warm-water laundry to do chez vous?

I'm planning on making a few different types of soup today and maybe tomorrow (It's getting late already--post-grocery shopping).  Curried lentil soup, cream of mushroom soup, and at some point in time potato-*leek soup.  Kitchen is fairly warm (can close it off from dining room) and there's a CD/radio player in there, so I can put on some music.

*I was beginning to think "My kingdom for some leeks!", but finally found a store that wasn't sold out of them.

K

[Karl Henning]

Bitterly cold in Boston today, and expectations of the first substantial snow of the year. Will report.

[Kalevala]

Bitterly cold in Boston today, and expectations of the first substantial snow of the year. Will report.

Hang in there Karl.  And think about the various things that you can do (if you think that there's a danger) like leaving faucets dripping (slowly) in really cold areas (suggested by a plumber to me), and more.

Wishing you all the best,

K

[Karl Henning]

Hang in there Karl.  And think about the various things that you can do (if you think that there's a danger) like leaving faucets dripping (slowly) in really cold areas (suggested by a plumber to me), and more.

Wishing you all the best,

K

Warmly reciprocated, K.

[JBS]

Warmly reciprocated, K.

ISWYDT.
😁

Stay warm, both of you (and everyone else being vortexed).

[LKB]

I can't complain, winters here are comparatively mild and even the storms which came through last month largely missed me.

My brother in Kansas though, that's another story... But he's a tough old bird ( former USMC Staff Sergeant ), and has his adult sons nearby to assist him with shoveling the driveway etc. He'll probably just check his generator, brew up an Irish coffee or two and start a fire for his wife to enjoy once she's home from work.

[SonicMan46]

Well, we made it through Saturday with about an inch only of mixed precipitation - Sunday morning view from my doorbell cam attached - prediction is intermittent wintry mix throughout the day with temps in the 20s, so this stuff will not melt - rest of the week remains cold (low 30s F at best), so not sure when we can get out - BUT so far we have had power!  Dave

[Kalevala]

I can't complain, winters here are comparatively mild and even the storms which came through last month largely missed me.

My brother in Kansas though, that's another story... But he's a tough old bird ( former USMC Staff Sergeant ), and has his adult sons nearby to assist him with shoveling the driveway etc. He'll probably just check his generator, brew up an Irish coffee or two and start a fire for his wife to enjoy once she's home from work.

He's fortunate that he has able-bodied help nearby.  My motto:  take it in stages.

Super-cold temps not good; however, at least it does mean fluffy/light snow to shovel vs. the heavy wet and/or frozen kind, so I'm counting my blessings.  That, and a double espresso this morning, are keeping my spirits afloat. 

K

[Kalevala]

Well, we made it through Saturday with about an inch only of mixed precipitation - Sunday morning view from my doorbell cam attached - prediction is intermittent wintry mix throughout the day with temps in the 20s, so this stuff will not melt - rest of the week remains cold (low 30s F at best), so not sure when we can get out - BUT so far we have had power!  Dave

Hurrah!

By the way, I love the curved roof!

K

[SonicMan46]

Hurrah!

By the way, I love the curved roof!

K

Hi K - actually the roof is straight but the door cam lens is a wide angle one (not quite a 'fish eye' type but the explanation of the distortion).  Dave

[Kalevala]

Hi K - actually the roof is straight but the door cam lens is a wide angle one (not quite a 'fish eye' type but the explanation of the distortion).  Dave

You mean you don't live in a hobbit house? 

Snow is coming down fairly heavily now.  Reminding myself:  it will be what it will be.

K

[SonicMan46]

You mean you don't live in a hobbit house? 

Snow is coming down fairly heavily now.  Reminding myself:  it will be what it will be.

K

OH - that's our mountain vacation home below -      Dave

[Karl Henning]

The fine snow has begun to fall.

[Kalevala]

The fine snow has begun to fall.

How's it going Karl?  Any idea of how much snow so far?

K

[Karl Henning]

How's it going Karl?  Any idea of how much snow so far?

K

I'd guess 6-7" so far. More to fall tonight and tomorrow. Indeed, the forecast is for more snow than this to fall overnight. My neighbor said he made arrangements for a friend to plow our driveway, but no one has shown yet.

[JBS]

Meanwhile here at the southern end of the country, we are getting warmer than usual temperatures this weekend.

But that changes tomorrow.
And changes drastically. Tomorrow early afternoon the temperature is predicted to hit 85F (29.4C) but then go to the upper 40sF(about 9C) Tuesday morning--and then for the next 7 days, temperatures will have highs in the mid-upper 60sF (18-20C)(one day the high will be 61F (16.1C) and lows in the upper 40s/low 50sF(about 7-12C).

That may not be as bad as other places, but it's about as cold as it ever gets here. And what makes it unusual is the length of the cold spell. A second cold front is the villian, but usually when we get cold spells they're gone after a day or two. They don't linger and make themselves at home like they've been doing this winter.

There's also less rain this year, meaning less cloud cover--cloud cover inhibits dissipation of ground heat at night.

[Kalevala]

Meanwhile here at the southern end of the country, we are getting warmer than usual temperatures this weekend.

But that changes tomorrow.
And changes drastically. Tomorrow early afternoon the temperature is predicted to hit 85F (29.4C) but then go to the upper 40sF(about 9C) Tuesday morning--and then for the next 7 days, temperatures will have highs in the mid-upper 60sF (18-20C)(one day the high will be 61F (16.1C) and lows in the upper 40s/low 50sF(about 7-12C).

That may not be as bad as other places, but it's about as cold as it ever gets here. And what makes it unusual is the length of the cold spell. A second cold front is the villian, but usually when we get cold spells they're gone after a day or two. They don't linger and make themselves at home like they've been doing this winter.

There's also less rain this year, meaning less cloud cover--cloud cover inhibits dissipation of ground heat at night.

Warmer than usual?!  Wasn't expecting to hear that.  But then how is the cold front going to effect you--including crops?  And I'm sure that it feels cold for you.  Care to visit my neck of the woods?  Just teasing you.  Do hope that you get some more rain.  Fingers crossed for you.

Best wishes,

K

[Karl Henning]

How's it going Karl?  Any idea of how much snow so far?

K

16" all told, though a bit more is to come (mebbe 2-3") Chap with a snow-blower is working our driveway. Nor will the snow melt anytime soon.