Tuesday, February 1, 2011

ICE PREVIEW—MORE TO COME


Last night's predicted and anxiously feared (or for a few of us, anticipated) ice storm did not materialize…well, it did come, but not to any degree worthy of all the hoopla. Maybe an eighth of an inch on limbs, walks, and the surface of the lingering snow. Enough to make going out on the deck dangerous if we didn't pay attention, and make even Moon-the-Dog's meanderings a noisy affair—but that's about the extent of the danger. 

Of course for the small ground-feeding birds, even this thin coating of ice meant they couldn't scratch through to the remaining cracked corn and sunflower seeds I put out yesterday—so I scattered a fresh supply on top of the glaze this morning. The food was immediately appreciated and I'm going to have to put  out more before Myladylove and I make a quick run to the library. 

We have to hustle because the real brunt of the storm should begin arriving here within the next hour—and continue dumping freezing rain overnight and into the early morning, at which point it should change to snow. The amount of snow probably won't amount to more than an inch or so, but falling on top of a thick underlayer of ice means roads will be supper slick. 
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20 comments:

Carolyn H said...

Grizz: to me it looks as though you got a fairly healthy, if i can use that term, accumlation of ice. At least there's a decent amount on the limb with the cardinal.

Grizz………… said...

Carolyn…

I didn't think there was all that much—though it looks like more in the pix than I remembered. (Old guy, early morning, inadequate caffeine.) But it took forever the chip/scrape the windshield a few hours ago—and the roads are just a solid glaze. I can now walk on top of the old snow on the ice crust. So things are still getting worse. We've had freezing rain all day, temperature hasn't been about the mid-20s˚F, and it's supposed to be sleeting all night and into tomorrow morning when it changes to snow. Doubtless tomorrow's photo ought to be quite different.

Hope you, your dogs, and the gals are doing okay…

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

So far, Grizz, we're getting mostly snow; but we're right on the edge of the ice. It could go either way. Hope you and Myladylove and Moose-the-dog are all safe and warm.

Hilary said...

Such a pretty photo of the Cardinal perched upon the icy branch. Stay safe.

sage said...

it started snowing here late afternoon, while I was skiing. We're to get 12-16 inches. Hopefully, no ice! Stay safe.

Rowan said...

We happily don't get much in the way of ice storms in UK, the danger here is usually partly thawed snow freezing and forming an ice rink on the pavememts and side roads. If you've had the threatened second wave then you and YourLadyLove need to take extra care if you step outside - two pairs of ice skates by the back door maybe? :) Stay safe.

Bernie said...

Stay warm and safe my friend, I have been watching your weather on the news and thinking of you and Wanda. Glad your ladylove is safe at home and not working.....:-)Hugs

Arija said...

That light coating of ice on the twigs is enchanting. I don't think I could be dragged indoors from those sparking crystal abounding everywhere.

Be sate and go out with a ski pole or two or a garden fork that stabilises one on icy surfaces.

I hope the full prediction does not materialise so at least the power lines stay intact.

Our flood ravaged Queenslanders are now faced with a category 5 cyclone. Mother Nature seems to be having a bit of fun with the human race.

Beautiful cardinal on his icy twig.

Robin said...

Just dropping by to say I hope all is well.

Kelly said...

Our ice storm was a bit of a fizzle, but maybe the snow coming tomorrow will pan out. I love your Red...he doesn't seem to mind the ice!

Arija said...

I keep popping over to see if all is well with you but you are never home and with the weather that I have seen in the States, I am very worried. I hope it is only the power that is out and you are both right as rain.

Blessings . . . Arija

Grizz………… said...

Linda…

The ice finally got here—though not as bad as predicted. I'll post about it soon.

Grizz………… said...

Hilary…

Thank you. I will—and did—stay safe.

Grizz………… said...

Sage…

Not much snow here, but plenty of ice. Personally, I'd take the snow…though ice is certainly pretty.

Grizz………… said...

Rowan…

We typically get an ice storm or two per year—and a real humdinger of one every 3-4 years. On a 1-to-10 scale, our latest might have rated a 6.

No ice skates by the door for us. Though my daughter did both figure skating and precision skating, and was on a team who made the Nationals one year…both my and Myladylove's survival time, should we be so foolish as to strap on the things and try to remain vertical, would not exceed a second or two. We'd be better off standing in the snow-covered drive and taking turns running over each other with the auto.

Grizz………… said...

Wanda…

Than you for your concern—I do appreciate it. I've been worried about Wanda, too. Hope she and her family are okay. Some places around here got hit much worse than others.

Grizz………… said...

Arija…

Thank you re.photos. Ice does, indeed, render everything into a crystalline fantasy. A photog's dream.

Yes, you folks seem to have really been put through the mill with natural disasters lately. At some point I'd imagine you begin to wonder whether it's some sort of cosmic message or punishment. We do need to always keep in mind that nature—not mankind —is still in charge of the planet.

I hope you're doing okay.

Grizz………… said...

Robin…

I haven't been able to get by your site lately, but I new see you've had quite a time of things—as, I guess, was expected. Hope you're okay and able to finally get to work. You certainly had a much worse time than we did.

Grizz………… said...

Kelly…

Yeah, we got way more than you folks…and just a ten-minute drive north of here, they had my twice the amount of ice we did. A mile or two can make a big difference in these things.

Yesterday's snow was a fizzle here—maybe an inch.

Grizz………… said...

Arija…

Yup, we're fine—just a power/Internet loss. Thank you for checking and being concerned, though.