2020-21 Winter weather; bring it on

[Message Board User 12,405]

7 hours ago, Wanker Bob said:

Asked my wife to check with her brothers to make sure their mother's house has the yard faucets covered. Her brother texted back that's a scam and as long as the heat is on inside nothing will happen to them. 

We shall see. 

Walked around my neighborhood yesterday and I would say about 20% of homes did not have anything on their outside faucets.  A few even had their hoses still connected to them.

Maybe they know something I don't, but shit...

[Mrs Whiggins 13,050]

If you have bored children, we used to take advantage of the cold weather to do some neat science related activities. We're a nerdy family that way, but it was fun when they were smaller and we all enjoyed the time together. Plus, cold weather and outdoor time wears them out; always a plus.

Blowing bubbles outside in freezing weather either with solution you have on hand or google a homemade one.

Out in Amarillo, if you have a banana those temps may be cold enough to do the freeze a banana into a hammer trick (in hs they always use liquid nitro, which has the speed and wow factor) but the other way is cheaper and safer for younger kids.

My youngest liked to take his little 'mensies' (plastic army men, I have no idea why he called them 'mensies' ) and place them in various empty containers he filled with water then set outside to freeze like little Han Solo people. He would then get the ice out of the container and set the frozen blocks in various places on the patio. As a teen, he still takes some ribbing about that one. They often float, but I can't remember how he got them to stay submerged but I do know that kept him busy for quite awhile figuring it out.

Blow up a balloon indoors, tie it with a knot and then (I put it on a string so it doesn't blow away) put it outside, watch it deflate,  then bring it back inside to inflate again.

If you have some food coloring handy, find an area with there is some ice built up (hopefully not from frozen pipes that have burst) and add some to the top. As the temps warm back up, watch the food coloring in the melting ice as it forms ravines. The little ones like the colors, but the older ones can observe all sorts of things.

It doesn't get super cold here, but when we lived in Wisconsin we used to do the trick where you toss the water in the air to watch it freeze before it hits the ground but that one you have to be really careful with if you do it with boiling water (google it for the best way) and definitely needs adult supervision.

Keep it fun, keep it safe, keep the memories.

Science!

[Message Board User 12,405]

1 hour ago, Armybrat said:

My niece sat on one of those (very briefly) 60 years ago. 
Her husband says she still has the burn scars.

Pics?

[Nice Guy Eddie 13,706]

7 hours ago, Wanker Bob said:

Asked my wife to check with her brothers to make sure their mother's house has the yard faucets covered. Her brother texted back that's a scam and as long as the heat is on inside nothing will happen to them. 

We shall see. 

There are a certain type of people that cannot get past their logic of: if something has never happened before, it can’t happen in the future.

To get your BILs to move, your wife should have told their wives, that Mom will move in with them while the water repairs are being made.  their wives would have sent their asses over to wrap the pipes/hose bibs immediately.

[Armybrat 41,314]

12 minutes ago, Message Board User said:

Pics?

Of a 63 year old overweight grandma?  Nah.

[phdhorn 6,224]

Update:  None, really.

#(*$&#( freezing patina last night, barely enough to quench a cat's thirst, coated the roads again this a.m. so travel is OUT for at least a few hours until this stuff dries up (which it can, even in freezing weather).  My guess is roads will be good to go near lunch time.

Forecast has at latest included a bit of a rise in temps (about +5°-+10°, but really, does it matter much?).

Stuff starts in ATX around 6-7, mainly sleet turning to snow.  Wind gets up, storm proper (biggest band of snow) moves through between midnight-6 a.m.  Wind whips up and it's gonna be very disconcerting.  Wonder how many of us will sleep thru the night?   Mon. a.m. storm moves out, sun actually comes out (melting about 4.4 cc's of water with 15°-20° avg. high in the area).  But it's something, better than cold and gray.   Because clouds leave, heat can radiate up and out, temps will get to single digits almost everywhere.  Easily some zeroes in far suburbs, most of us flirt with between 5°-10°.

I'll be back tomorrow if my power's still on and update... another smaller storm rolls through on Wed. evening, then that's it. We'll have made it.

 

[Armybrat 41,314]

Just drove the wife to church 2 miles away (78717 west of Round Rock) very slowly - 15/20 mph - through neighborhood streets. Lots of thin ice depending on the pavement. Actually slid a little bit turning one corner at 5 mph.

Told her this was not a good idea because Jesus could hear her just fine if she stayed home.

[phdhorn 6,224]

And for your viewing pleasure, the old "fun stuff to do when it's instantly lethal to human life cold" (but these are pretty cool).  The old "water instantly turns to ice vapor" trick:
 

 

 

[Judge Roybeanbag 11,856]

27 minutes ago, phdhorn said:

Update:  None, really.

#(*$&#( freezing patina last night, barely enough to quench a cat's thirst, coated the roads again this a.m. so travel is OUT for at least a few hours until this stuff dries up (which it can, even in freezing weather).  My guess is roads will be good to go near lunch time.

Forecast has at latest included a bit of a rise in temps (about +5°-+10°, but really, does it matter much?).

Stuff starts in ATX around 6-7, mainly sleet turning to snow.  Wind gets up, storm proper (biggest band of snow) moves through between midnight-6 a.m.  Wind whips up and it's gonna be very disconcerting.  Wonder how many of us will sleep thru the night?   Mon. a.m. storm moves out, sun actually comes out (melting about 4.4 cc's of water with 15°-20° avg. high in the area).  But it's something, better than cold and gray.   Because clouds leave, heat can radiate up and out, temps will get to single digits almost everywhere.  Easily some zeroes in far suburbs, most of us flirt with between 5°-10°.

I'll be back tomorrow if my power's still on and update... another smaller storm rolls through on Wed. evening, then that's it. We'll have made it.

 

Thought you were going to a hotel.  Did you decide to stick it out at home?

[Hate 20,232]

Latest GFS.

Latest ICON

Latest NAM

 

And yet the NWS is still only calling for 1-3 inches of snow possible for The Woodlands area.  The local mets I like, KHOU, are calling for more like the models.  Weird. 

[Message Board User 12,405]

thin coating of snow in DFW.

 

[Nice Guy Eddie 13,706]

41 minutes ago, phdhorn said:

And for your viewing pleasure, the old "fun stuff to do when it's instantly lethal to human life cold" (but these are pretty cool).  The old "water instantly turns to ice vapor" trick:
 

 

 

Ah yes, carrying around pots of boiling water when it’s icy outside.  What could possibly go wrong.  But even then have the camera out because mistakes are always better for viral vids.

[Message Board User 12,405]

 

[phdhorn 6,224]

36 minutes ago, Judge Roybeanbag said:

Thought you were going to a hotel.  Did you decide to stick it out at home?

Yesterday we were having propane issues - the fake-but-really-cool-and-radiates-heat-amazingly gas fireplace flickered out and wouldn't relight (didn't pick up a flow sound).  The water heater pilot went out and I had to go up and relight it 2-3 times.  Worst, our heating was sketchy - woke up with 59° (WTF?) in the house and heat was behaving erratically.  After much weeping and gnashing of teeth, we bought a 4-day no-refund stay at a nearby hotel in Lakeway.  We reasoned that no repair guys would ever make it up to us until at least next Friday if we're lucky. Other reasoning is that we live at the top of 2 steep hills, ones which are undriveable with the conditions we'll have, so we weighted being stuck at the house for 2-3 days.  Also yesterday we weren't sure if our roads would clear up, which would make 4-5 days stuck at home.  We reasoned we could get on the main roads within a day or two (right across from an HEB to boot) and live okay.  

With possibly no hot showers, no heat, no working fireplace, and maybe being stuck on a hill for 3-4 days, let's just bail and not spend 2 days irritability cold.

So things sort of worked out:  1) we just had more propane delivered Thurs.  Problems started after that.  I began to reason that it's a regulator/flow things, plus we get weird fluctuations in gas burning after tank fills, even if we've had a bunch in there.  2) One of best HVAC guys in Austin lives across the street, called him and he said, yeah, shouldn't be HVAC with the other devices quirky, he explained how the heater works if propane flow is a problem, so that reassured me we wouldn't blow the house up if we just left and kept erratic heater on. 3) Roads cleared up yesterday so we could get some stuff done, less apt to go to the hotel; 4) and finally, yesterday afternoon heat started working perfectly again and is still doing so this a.m.  HWH seemed to work fine and water was very hot again (haven't checked yt on if pilot is still on).  Haven't tested fireplace yet (tried to re-ignite it).

So we're still thinking about it but leaning towards the house, after all I want to be here if something needs attention.  But we'll decide later today (can't go anywhere right now on the ice anyway) until the roads dry up.  Then decide by 3-4 p.m.  Fireplace back to normal would help a lot if power goes out, so we'll see.

csb, tl; dr:  About 70% leaning towards staying home.  This could change by the afternoon.  Gas-fueled stuff seems to be working, maybe flow problem solved itself?

If we don't use the hotel space, we have friends who have no heat, we'll work out a deal with them, or hopefully put the $ in their kitty for use another time (they don't refund, naturally).

We'll see...

[MNLonghornFUKM 8,963]

thin coating of snow in DFW.
 

Looks like spirit air is on time for once

[Deej 77,667]

1 hour ago, Mrs Whiggins said:

If you have bored children, we used to take advantage of the cold weather to do some neat science related activities. We're a nerdy family that way, but it was fun when they were smaller and we all enjoyed the time together. Plus, cold weather and outdoor time wears them out; always a plus.

Blowing bubbles outside in freezing weather either with solution you have on hand or google a homemade one.

Out in Amarillo, if you have a banana those temps may be cold enough to do the freeze a banana into a hammer trick (in hs they always use liquid nitro, which has the speed and wow factor) but the other way is cheaper and safer for younger kids.

My youngest liked to take his little 'mensies' (plastic army men, I have no idea why he called them 'mensies' ) and place them in various empty containers he filled with water then set outside to freeze like little Han Solo people. He would then get the ice out of the container and set the frozen blocks in various places on the patio. As a teen, he still takes some ribbing about that one. They often float, but I can't remember how he got them to stay submerged but I do know that kept him busy for quite awhile figuring it out.

Blow up a balloon indoors, tie it with a knot and then (I put it on a string so it doesn't blow away) put it outside, watch it deflate,  then bring it back inside to inflate again.

If you have some food coloring handy, find an area with there is some ice built up (hopefully not from frozen pipes that have burst) and add some to the top. As the temps warm back up, watch the food coloring in the melting ice as it forms ravines. The little ones like the colors, but the older ones can observe all sorts of things.

It doesn't get super cold here, but when we lived in Wisconsin we used to do the trick where you toss the water in the air to watch it freeze before it hits the ground but that one you have to be really careful with if you do it with boiling water (google it for the best way) and definitely needs adult supervision.

Keep it fun, keep it safe, keep the memories.

Science!

[RPM 26,559]

Got off work at 7 this morning right as the 2nd wave was coming through. 114 & 287 were both in fairly good shape until North of Decatur. The FM roads were completely snow covered, but not slick. Took about an hour and 15 min to go 50 miles.

[Trey3216 15,450]

2 minutes ago, MNLonghornFUKM said:

Looks like spirit air is on time for once

That’ll be an additional $30 fee ladies and gentlemen.  

[MoJames 8,258]

Slight snow here in Durango.

[Tailgate 3,054]

Yeah...tonight’s the big test. 

[Judge Roybeanbag 11,856]

Tomorrow is trash day in our south Austin neighborhood, wonder if I should even bother putting it out?   I can’t imagine the trucks will be driving, our streets are slicker than owl shit.  I just skated down my driveway, barely avoiding busting my ass.  

[Axle Hongsnort 210]

any first hand road condition updates for west lake hills or zilker areas?

[HenryJames 67,115]

34 minutes ago, phdhorn said:

Yesterday we were having propane issues - the fake-but-really-cool-and-radiates-heat-amazingly gas fireplace flickered out and wouldn't relight (didn't pick up a flow sound).  The water heater pilot went out and I had to go up and relight it 2-3 times.  Worst, our heating was sketchy - woke up with 59° (WTF?) in the house and heat was behaving erratically.  After much weeping and gnashing of teeth, we bought a 4-day no-refund stay at a nearby hotel in Lakeway.  We reasoned that no repair guys would ever make it up to us until at least next Friday if we're lucky. Other reasoning is that we live at the top of 2 steep hills, ones which are undriveable with the conditions we'll have, so we weighted being stuck at the house for 2-3 days.  Also yesterday we weren't sure if our roads would clear up, which would make 4-5 days stuck at home.  We reasoned we could get on the main roads within a day or two (right across from an HEB to boot) and live okay.  

With possibly no hot showers, no heat, no working fireplace, and maybe being stuck on a hill for 3-4 days, let's just bail and not spend 2 days irritability cold.

So things sort of worked out:  1) we just had more propane delivered Thurs.  Problems started after that.  I began to reason that it's a regulator/flow things, plus we get weird fluctuations in gas burning after tank fills, even if we've had a bunch in there.  2) One of best HVAC guys in Austin lives across the street, called him and he said, yeah, shouldn't be HVAC with the other devices quirky, he explained how the heater works if propane flow is a problem, so that reassured me we wouldn't blow the house up if we just left and kept erratic heater on. 3) Roads cleared up yesterday so we could get some stuff done, less apt to go to the hotel; 4) and finally, yesterday afternoon heat started working perfectly again and is still doing so this a.m.  HWH seemed to work fine and water was very hot again (haven't checked yt on if pilot is still on).  Haven't tested fireplace yet (tried to re-ignite it).

So we're still thinking about it but leaning towards the house, after all I want to be here if something needs attention.  But we'll decide later today (can't go anywhere right now on the ice anyway) until the roads dry up.  Then decide by 3-4 p.m.  Fireplace back to normal would help a lot if power goes out, so we'll see.

csb, tl; dr:  About 70% leaning towards staying home.  This could change by the afternoon.  Gas-fueled stuff seems to be working, maybe flow problem solved itself?

If we don't use the hotel space, we have friends who have no heat, we'll work out a deal with them, or hopefully put the $ in their kitty for use another time (they don't refund, naturally).

We'll see...

tl;dr

[Shaggybevo 353]

13 minutes ago, Judge Roybeanbag said:

Tomorrow is trash day in our south Austin neighborhood, wonder if I should even bother putting it out?   I can’t imagine the trucks will be driving, our streets are slicker than owl shit.  I just skated down my driveway, barely avoiding busting my ass.  

Friday is trash day in my neighborhood, and they never picked up it last Friday (12 Feb).  Trash bins still sitting at curb in the entire neighborhood.

Edited February 14, 2021 by Shaggybevo

[Message Board User 12,405]

 

[GhostOfTomJoad 9,483]

18 minutes ago, Judge Roybeanbag said:

Tomorrow is trash day in our south Austin neighborhood, wonder if I should even bother putting it out?   I can’t imagine the trucks will be driving, our streets are slicker than owl shit.  I just skated down my driveway, barely avoiding busting my ass.  

I'm in Cedar Park and just checked their website. Wilco landfill has already announced they're closed Mon due to weather so all service will slide a day (at least). Keep an eye on the local .gov websites for latest info.

And a PSA, the Sprouts on Cypress Creek is open but they're going to reduce their hours the next few days. I think she said "9-4 on Monday" but wouldn't swear by it. I wasn't in the greatest mood since I was sent out to get some fancy soap & vitamins which are apparently essential to survival. Yes, my tone was not appreciated.

Also, the sidewalk/entrance to that Sprouts was VERY slick. Looked like they had about a handful of de-icer outside of the front door & that was it.

[phdhorn 6,224]

14 minutes ago, HenryJames said:

tl;dr

tl;dr

[Knoxtnhorn 6,262]

Odd phenomenon here in Dallas.  There isn't enough snow to completely cover the grass; however, the streets are lily white (no racist).  In this neck of the woods, we usually get snow covered grass with the streets being warm enough to melt any snow.

[Hefeweizen 5,416]

27 minutes ago, Judge Roybeanbag said:

Tomorrow is trash day in our south Austin neighborhood, wonder if I should even bother putting it out?   I can’t imagine the trucks will be driving, our streets are slicker than owl shit.  I just skated down my driveway, barely avoiding busting my ass.  

Yeah I think garbage won’t come tomorrow, but I am rolling it out anyway.  I went for a run yesterday and had a cop stop me to check if I was ok or just insane.  The answer is yes.

[ABSR 5,357]

9 hours ago, 4th&Five said:

I’m already tired of this shit and it hasn’t really started. 

No kidding.  How long does the house need to wear a mask?

[HenryJames 67,115]

3 minutes ago, Hefeweizen said:

Yeah I think garbage won’t come tomorrow, but I am rolling it out anyway.  I went for a run yesterday and had a cop stop me to check if I was ok or just insane.  The answer is yes.

[ABSR 5,357]

13 minutes ago, Knoxtnhorn said:

Odd phenomenon here in Dallas.  There isn't enough snow to completely cover the grass; however, the streets are lily white (no racist).  In this neck of the woods, we usually get snow covered grass with the streets being warm enough to melt any snow.

You probably think only black ice is dangerous!?  

[Brisketexan 106,615]

You probably think only black ice is dangerous!?  

Well....it’s just not the kind of ice that he’s used to seeing in his neighborhood. It looked very out of place, that’s all.

[South Austin 53,153]

16 minutes ago, Knoxtnhorn said:

Odd phenomenon here in Dallas.  There isn't enough snow to completely cover the grass; however, the streets are lily white (no racist).  In this neck of the woods, we usually get snow covered grass with the streets being warm enough to melt any snow.

Username not checking out.

[Knoxtnhorn 6,262]

3 minutes ago, ABSR said:

You probably think only black ice is dangerous!?  

According to NextDoor, yes.

[Knoxtnhorn 6,262]

1 minute ago, South Austin said:

Username not checking out.

Guess I should change it to rowletttxhorn.

[RPM 26,559]

13 minutes ago, Knoxtnhorn said:

Guess I should change it to rowletttxhorn.

No, a note has been made to your permanent record.

[HornOnTheBayou 9,056]

Spectrum finally got our internet restored. You know, as a family, I think we learned some very valuable lessons being offline for these three days. Lessons that will be forgotten by lunch since the TV and XBox are working again.

[MissingInAction 25,478]

Following advice from my Canadian pals, I'm hanging blankets against all windows and doors. 

Bidet still works so I'm fucking gold.

Edited February 14, 2021 by MissingInAction

[ztejas 44,114]

So I guess I should have gotten groceries yesterday.

[Helobious 9,755]

7 minutes ago, ztejas said:

So I guess I should have gotten groceries yesterday.

As I pointed out yesterday, humans can survive 2+ weeks without food & you’ll have snow/ice to melt for water if it comes to that. You’re golden. 

[phdhorn 6,224]

35 minutes ago, ABSR said:

You probably think only black ice is dangerous!?  

When I grew up (in ice country), we called it "ice."  
I guess billions of deaths later, they had to clarify it.  I don't get it, never will.  It's not black, it's clear.

[Surly Bevo 25,654]

9 minutes ago, ztejas said:

So I guess I should have gotten groceries yesterday.

Jar your own urine...you got this.

[maninblack 7,975]

 

[phdhorn 6,224]

Snapshot of the oncoming doom.

As you can see though, it's not one massive block of snow, it's in bands.   However, as this gets nearer the Gulf it'll draw up moisture (which will freeze pretty quickly) and fill in.  The band which is going to end all of our lives hasn't formed yet, but will likely develop a southern extension when it gets closer this evening.

[HenryJames 67,115]

6 minutes ago, Helobious said:

As I pointed out yesterday, humans can survive 2+ weeks without food & you’ll have snow/ice to melt for water if it comes to that. You’re golden. 

How long can we go without porn?

[ztejas 44,114]

3 minutes ago, HenryJames said:

How long can we go without porn?

I'm not trying to find out.

6 minutes ago, maninblack said:

 

Apparently Austin got 6.5" on January 30th, 1949. So Austin meteorologists are lying like a promiscuous girlfriend trying to make you feel good about yourself. 

[Player 4,605]

As I pointed out yesterday, humans can survive 2+ weeks without food & you’ll have snow/ice to melt for water if it comes to that. You’re golden. 

Looking forward to a nice cup of snow coffee with my birds on Tuesday.

[3adays 454]

My neighbor down the street has has his garage door open all morning. I’m no expert on this shit, but that doesn’t seem smart. 

[Bevo Num1 1,061]

I'm seeing what looks like flurries here in Buda. It's not sleet or freezing rain.