Friday, December 18, 2009

The perfect storm?

The rural road to our house after snowfall two weeks ago.

Are we setting up for the perfect storm? No, not politics, but rather the weather that is bearing down on Virginia. Local forecasters in the Valley are using terminology such as "massive storm" and "monster storm" and suggesting folks may want to consider canceling travel plans on Saturday.

Some are suggesting the possibility of one-to-two feet of snow for the central Shenandoah Valley ... those of us who live here prepare but know forecasts like that often do not materalize.

But we're taking no chances. We're getting ready.
Firewood stacked on back porch ... check!
Water ... check!
Food essentials stocked ... check!
Prepared for loss of electricity (as much as one can be) ... check!
Generator ready ... check!
Vehicle parked at top of driveway ... check!
This may be the largest storm in our area since 1996. There's a difference this time, though. In 1996 the big storm(s) came in January/February followed by warm weather and melting that caused widespread flooding in Stuarts Draft and other areas.

This time the big storm is hitting in December with plenty of cold weather predicted for the next week. Looks as if the snow will be sticking around for a while ... looks as if much of Virginia may have a white Christmas.

Holiday plans will be interrupted but we'll settle in as a family and enjoy sitting around the woodstove playing board games and watching the winter wonderland outside the window. If we don't lose electricity, I'll be posting photos and look forward to seeing pictures from bloggers around the Commonwealth. If SWAC Girl goes silent, it means the heavy snow has taken out nearby power lines.

Be safe out there ... and thanks ahead of time to the highway crews, electrical workers, and emergency first responders who will be working through this storm.

It's definitely winter in the Shenandoah Valley....

Photo by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
7 December 2009

No comments: