It's 45 degrees in Flint, MI and we've just been "upgraded" to a Winter Storm WARNING

[Siwsan]

Snow tomorrow and strong winds on Thursday.

The hearth is piled with firewood, I'm stocked up with everything I need and nowhere I need to be until Tuesday's appointment with my dental hygienist. I'm sure the roads will be cleared by then.

My brother stopped by and said the school system he works for has given the bus drivers a heads up that the schools might be closed until Monday.

[ForgedCrank]

1. Word has it

that things will be getting ugly soon.
I really hope it's just snow and there won't be an ice disaster.
Snow I can deal with easily, not having power is a real drag.

[Siwsan]

2. Tell me about it - I went a week without power in 2013, due to an ice storm

Also got exposed to carbon monoxide. Fortunately we discovered what was happening before it accumulated enough to kill. I still get PTSD triggered when I hear any possibility of an ice storm.

[ForgedCrank]

8. We got hit once

many MANY years ago out in the sticks and were without power for either 22 or 24 days, I can remember exactly now, but it was over 3 weeks.
It was horrible. I got so damned sick of that generator, I wanted to launch it off of a cliff when we finally got service restored.
That's the down side to living rural, we are last in line when disaster hits. Id rather shovel snow for days than get hit with ice like that again.

[Siwsan]

9. I'm close to the main retail area in the county, and we were almost the last to be restored

The storm hit just before Christmas, too. I can't imagine the losses these retailers suffered. Just a short distance, in every direction, people had power. It was so frustrating.

I can remember going out to check the gas level in the generator and suddenly seeing my cross the street neighbor's porch light flash on. Another neighbor was out and we both DASHED to Louis' house and he said, yea - it's coming on in phases, from the top of the street, down.

First thing I did was order a take out of fish and chips. I'd hardly eaten anything in a week and REALLY wanted fish and chips. What I didn't know was, exposure to carbon monoxide can affect your taste buds. Nothing, and I mean nothing tasted good for over a month.

At least the first shower in a week felt pretty good.

[TrogL]

3. Wimps

-25 C. Windchill here last night

[Siwsan]

4. I'm no stranger to that kind of weather

During the horrible Winters between 2013 and 2016 we had air temps that low.

When my power went out, for a week, the house was so cold you could see your breath in every room but the den. I didn't lose ANY food from the kitchen refrigerator. Fortunately there's a fireplace with an insert in the den and we hooked it up to the generator. As long as that and the sump pump were powered, I knew I'd be ok.

The cats and I spend most of our time in a 'mummy' style, down filled sleeping bag, covered with two additional feather comforters.

I caught up on a WHOLE lot of reading, too.

[multigraincracker]

6. Do you have natural gas?

I wanted to be ready for any black outs, so I looked into a generator. Super expensive and I was more worried about the pipes freezing than the lights and tv.
I ended up getting a gas space heater for $200. When the lights go out, I'll have plenty of heat. I does not require any electric.
Now I use it like a fireplace and sit by it and read or play on my phone. The cats lay in front of it all of the time.

I crack a window to let oxygen in and bought a cheap gas sniffer to check it all of the time. I really like it.

[Texaswitchy]

7. We had big freeze here in Texas last year.

That was cold enough for me.

9 degrees.

We were warm but so many people lost their power and heat.

We are not built for 9 degrees here.

We have a cold front coming in a few days but not that bad.

I have all the wood and food I need.

My neighbor's dog has moved in with me.

She is now a retired cow dog.

9 years old and earned her retirement.

She just moved in on her own.

I think she does not like the new cow dog.

She brought her favorite blanket with her.

She used to visit a lot but now she just staying here.

[2naSalit]

5. That blew through here about 48 hrs ago.

I swear we were close to being in a derecho yesterday, sustain 45mph winds with gusts well over 80mph, some lasting for more than a minute each. And it's all headed your way with a bitter cold chaser.

Stay warm, good thing you have snuggle-buddies!

[VGNonly]

10. 12-16" starting Wed AM

15-25 winds, drifting blowing, then cold Thu and Fri. down to about 0.

NW Ohio

[Siwsan]

11. It definitely sounds like a more dire forecast, south of Flint/mid-Michigan

But who knows - this kind of weather has a mind of its own. I'm mentally preparing myself for LOTS of snow. My snow blower can easily handle 4 or 5" but anything much deeper has to be removed in layers. So, depending on how things look, tomorrow, I might be making several passes to try and keep the drive and walk ways as clear as possible.

[VGNonly]

13. As of now, it just started

snowing (4:15). We had light rain all morning and afternoon, instead of anticipated heavy snow. We can still get 9-14" by Thu 7pm. No ice, little wind.

[BeckyDem]

12. Stay safe.

I can't wait for Spring.