Scarlet Pimpernel

Looks like that turkey is wearing a Bishop's miter!!

Kinda agree, in general...as long as it's not a "one and done" kind of deal, if the rest of winter is at least OK too. You're right, there's nothing like a HECS, tracking it days in advance and then experiencing it as it occurs! For instance, the excitement before the Jan. 2016 blizzard was awesome, almost better than the storm itself (well, I won't go that far!). A week out, the Saturday before it hit, all the models locked onto something significant. It was just a matter of refining the details after that. I got almost nothing done that week leading into it, awaiting the latest guidance each cycle. And then...zero hour and the storm began! Similar feeling for the other HECS events I have experienced in my time here over the years. That said, a winter like 2013-14 was quite something to behold, even as it lacked an actual HECS.

OK, so let's go the other way... (1) A winter like last year, with one really small event that you would have missed if you sneezed. But with the enticing prospect of perhaps *something* on the horizon and even some cold air incursions to give a winter feel. or (2) An all-out true shutout, where it's late fall most every day and really no chance of any event at all. Oh, and even with the warmth, no mosquitos as the crisp nighttime temperatures would have killed them off at least!

I know...greedy, eh? Hoping for three of the area's best storms ever to hit here in one season. It would make 2009-10 look like an amateur (well, that's a bit overstated, yeah)! That would wreak havoc on the Reaper's business I'm sure!

Doing fine, thanks! Just gotta keep on keepin' on, I suppose. Good to hear from you!

OK, to throw another hypothetical out there. In your "ideal" winter, pick 3 HECS-level storms that you would want to occur during that season. For instance, pick from (just throwing some out there that I'm familiar with offhand, no particular order, there are surely others...) (1) Feb. 1979 PD-1 (2) Feb. 1983 "Megalopolitan Storm" (3) Jan. 1996 (4) Feb. 16-17, 2003 PD-2 (5) Feb. 5-6, 2010 (6) Feb. 9-10, 2010 (7) Dec. 18-19, 2009 (8) Jan. 22-23, 2016 I think I'd go with 5, 7, 8 myself. But they're all great! AND, for a bonus. What MODERATE level events would you like to have, if you could pick 3 to occur in a winter?...too many to list, probably, and I'm sure I don't remember them all. But offhand I'll state (in no order)...Jan. 30, 2010, Feb. 11-12, 2014, Mar. 16-17, 2014. Mar. 5, 2015 would be close, too, and maybe should be on my list.

Here's another one: (1) The February 5-6, 2010 storm ("Snowmageddon") or (2) The Jan. 22-23, 2016 blizzard Now...before choosing, consider these storms in isolation. That is, ignore that the Feb. 2010 storm occurred in an epic record-breaking year and was followed 5 days later with another event. And, ignore that the Jan. 2016 blizzard was a "one and done" storm that winter, and that it warmed up shortly after it ended. Just think of the epic-ness of each by itself. Maybe not possible or appropriate to try and do that, but just throwing that out there. And while I'm at it, let me add a 3rd choice to that list... (3) Dec. 18-19, 2009 (the storm that seems to get "lost" almost, with the focus on that winter so much on the February storms and the late January event right before that) Personally, I kind of waver between the Feb. 2010 and Dec. 2009 storms, but man, what a tough choice between those! Can I just take them all?

I'd definitely take #1 on that. Essentially what we got for Commutageddon in Jan. 2011. Just colder temperatures so it doesn't damn near melt right away and it sticks immediately!

To all who chose a Christmas moderate snow over a January top-3 blizzard...I totally get that in this year, 2020, as many have said. I personally said I'd take the epic Jan. blizzard (assuming the rest of the winter was good too, and not a one-and-done!). But the way this year has been, I have to give a hat-tip at least to the sentiment that a good snowfall around here for the Holidays would soothe a lot of the negative aspects of this year, for sure.

Oh...my! Channeling your inner @ravensrule?? How are you doing, friend? Hope all is well in mappyland!!! (or is it mappyville, mappystan, mappyopolis...?)

I'd choose that one as well. Tough, but still, 2013-14 was gate-to-gate winter pretty much. No HECS, but several moderate events. When even @Bob Chill says he was exhausted and nearly tired of tracking at the end, you know it was a good winter! And it snowed on my birthday in late March, so that wins for me! Don't get me wrong, I loved 2002-03 of course especially as it came on the heels of a winter (2001-02) that totally sucked around here so it was a refreshing change.

Hello Mrs. J!! I hope you are well! That's cool...snowing!!! I've heard there are some good snow showers going on in my home town up in northeast Ohio.

Looks like some kind of frat keg party at the Panic Room! And yeah, no masks??? WTF??? I'm sure you will be very strict, making sure everyone's temperature is no more than room temperature of course!

Way to take my snarky post from earlier and turn it into a serious discussion...damn you! Joke's on me!! As for your second question, Christmas snow vs. top 3 January blizzard...oh my! Where do you come up with these? Just...diabolical! Can I phone a friend to get the answer? But, with no knowledge of how the entire winter would be, I'll just assume a good one overall for both scenarios, I'd just barely have to go with the January blizzard idea! And as long as Christmas Eve/Day is not like it was in 2015, hazy and damn near uncomfortably humid! A crisp, cold Holiday is nice (even without any snow), with the prospects looking good heading into the New Year! So here's a question then, if I may: (1) Re-live winter 2002-03 with the PD-II storm of course or (2) Re-live winter 2013-14 Or, how about this: (1) Listen to Ji complain how winter 2009-10 ended after the Feb. 9-10 blizzard, thus it wasn't as good as it could have been or (2) In a sucky winter, having Ji cancel winter several times (all in fun, sorry @Ji!!) Is the Reaper stumped? Nahhhhh, not possible!

Seems the Reaper is wheeling-and-dealing for those lost souls!!

Hmmm, tough one! Make the second option have a couple of moderate warning-level events (not necessarily double-digit), and I'd go for that one without question! Would be similar to 2013-14 in that regard. But even without that, I guess it would imply snow cover that sticks around for awhile (and persistent cold) and you just add to it. I can live with several 1-3", 2-4", 3-5" type snows if that were the case!

So hey...this is a great forum to argue hotly debated political issues and controversial subjects, correct? And maybe discuss weather? Asking for a friend... (That was serious snark, by the way, as if I need to say that!)

Yup! Just like the Titanic and a "Night to Remember", this will absolutely be a "Winter to Remember!!" (I have a "sinking" feeling, hahaha!)

Classy high-powered lawyers...love it! I wonder if they'd do pro bone-o work for those who need counsel but don't have an unlimited bank account. (Oh, I'm sorry, I put "classy" and "lawyer" in the same sentence, my bad! No offense to any lawyers out there! )

Oh, we knew you must have been working on something good! Just a little concerned is all, having heard nothing from the Reaper in so long! Brilliant fortifications, to keep the extreme weenies out who might otherwise ruin the establishment! I guess you have guards at the gate taking people's temperatures to make sure they'e OK to come in! Is that from "Jason and the Argonauts" (or maybe I'm thinking of "Clash of the Titans)?? Great movie! Love it! No x-rays required!!! Whoa! The amenities of this place are just over the top! Couples therapy for the distraught snow weenie looking at models every night while their significant other falls into depression due to lack of attention! Looks like this guy fantasizes over 384-h GFS snowstorms more than the woman he's with!! I think Dr. Bones will set him right!

[email protected] is this year's Panic Room? Reaper taking an extended vacation? There were so many promises of upgrades! I was particularly looking forward to the snakes you advertised, as long as they've been better trained, and don't spill the drinks when they knock on your door! Is it social distancing issues, and limited space as a result? Can't keep people 6 feet under...errrr...6 feet apart?? No bone sanitizer available? Reaper working with a...skeletal crew this year?? (pun very much intended!!) I'm sure this will be a record-breaking year for you going by some of the discussion. Consider it the inverse of winter 2009-10! @Ji might ask for his money back if he isn't allowed in...hasn't he reserved a penthouse suite years in advance, using his "I cancelled winter first this season!" coupon?? He must get as many of those as I do of the Bed, Bath, and Beyond 20% off coupons!! But in all seriousness (if I can be)...hope you are doing well these days!

So for the "Washington Football Team", is this what can be said of them every week when they screw up?... WTF, WFT?!?! JFC!!

Ohhhh, tasty!! And I like the "Wine! How classy people get wasted!" coaster/hot-pad thing there in the background! Reminds me of this, which always makes me laugh...

Happy Halloween, everyone! Here's a "blue" Blue Moon for you...the 2nd full moon this month. Tinkered with the white balance to give it this effect: