RDM

28/14 here NW of Vienna. Bone dry outside. Let's hope the HRRR is onto something with the stall Monday. This could be epic...

Yes - Valentine's Day 2007 sleet fest. Will never forget it. Was the most sleet I've ever seen. It started on the 13th and the sleet poured all night. Our flight the morning of the 14th from Dulles for Tokyo and then on to Bangkok was one of the first to leave IAD that morning after the airport reopened. They only had 1 of the 4 runways open. We moved to Bkk that morning. When the taxi van finally showed up at the Intercon in Tyson's to pick us up with our 8 large suitcases, there was a near riot as 15 other people got the futile impression they were going to compete with us for the taxi.

We're a little over 12 hours from the onset. For the those in the know, for a storm like this with the forecast long duration and complexities involved, if you had one model at your disposal to analyze and hug, which one would it be?

@Bob Chill... A sincere welcome back. Our beloved forum can be whole again. Always felt like something was missing during your hiatus and the cumulative comments show how much your respected here. That said, totally relate to your narrative as to why you took the sebatical etc. Congrats on the positive results and may deform band pay you a visit here soon.

Don't forget the CECS (Catastrophic East Coast Storm) - arguably before or after BECS.

Just came in from outside. Just a few flakes, but it is sn- - Could almost count them, but they were there.

Can relate to what you mean about the synoptics of weather. Have relatives who live in Pecos, TX who comment about having more or less 2 seasons in the year. I lived in India and Thailand during a couple of stints overseas in my career. In both locations it is either very warm or unbearably hot, and not much else. India had a touch of winter for a few weeks each year when we'd get frost at night. In Thailand, the only hint of "winter" was when the day-time highs were in the 70's. The Thai were freezing with winter coats on while I was for once not sweating like a pig. In both locations the lack of having 4 seasons left the constant feeling that something was missing. Nice to visit areas with out the full effects of all 4 seasons, but want nothing to do with living there permanently.

A far wiser investment and one that would be the gift that keeps on giving, year after year. And the giving part would likely be more than just snow. Can think of a slower pace of life, lower cost of living,... probably a longer list than meets the eye. Have a couple colleagues who are from Maine and a couple more who either have cabins there or have retired there. They love the peace and solitude.

Was watching some Tim Conway and Harvey Norman on Youtube and got to thinking... (and there's no correlation to this at all other than idle thoughts). If we could pay for snow, how much would we be willing to pay? For say... a foot? 2? 3? or more? I'd pay $1000 for 2 feet and not think twice about it. Probably pay $5k for 4' Of course I'd have to hide the Visa bill from my wife. Any other "bids" out there?

Been 34 here the last several hours and now down to 33, and of course... rain... sigh...

PSU - that's hilarious and very coincidental as our exchange student (Luis) asked the same thing. Well, he didn't say it outright because his limited English prevent getting anything close to a complex thought out. What he did was point to a picture of Santa and asked if Santa is here - in Ohio. He was shaking so much from the combination of jet lag, fright, cold and sheer terror we thought he was going to pass out. And that was just from the walk off the plane into the terminal. When we walked outside the terminal to the parking lot he almost went into convulsions. Don't remember how cold it was at the time, maybe teens or 20's, which was normal for Ohio back then.

Haha - get ready Stormtracker. The potential experience for you and your relative reminds me of the Brazilian foreign exchange student we had stay with my family 6 months when I was in HS in Ohio. When he arrived in Feb of 77 the ONLY word of English he spoke was "COLD". The look in his eyes when he got off the plane spoke of sheer terror as he'd never contemplated such a hellish cold environment could exist. The extent of his winter clothes was a light weight sweater, so our first trip was to the local mall to buy him a winter coat. (He'd never seen a mall either). He stuck it out, but I'll never forget the look on his face when he got off the plane.

Sadly you're right... We don't have enough fun anymore. (tic) A few bad eggs who take things too far ruin things for everyone. Happy New Year.

Same here. Remember visiting my dad's family in Colorado Springs, CO in 72 for July 4th. Our uncle placed two Silver Salutes under a wash tub, which failed to achieve the desired elevation after liftoff. So he put two M-8-'s under the wash tub and proceeded to blow it into the top of a nearby tree trailing a nice plume of smoke. Then he had to find a way to get it out of the tree as our grandma laughed like crazy watching 3 of her grown sons (including our dad) play with potentially lethal fireworks. That night we had a pop bottle rocket war between our family at grandma's house and the neighbor's across the street. That only stopped when a rocket came in grandma's front door and exploded in the entry-way, to the tune of hysterics by everyone. Those were the good ole days...

Same here NW of Vienna. Someone not too far away is lighting off some big boomers. Sounds like M-80 material or bigger. The cloud deck helps enhance the effect...

ROTFLMAO - That's how I felt during the Christmas rainmaggedon when we were at 33F the whole *&!@# day. Have to ask, how many decimal places do you have pi memorized? Happy New Year.

Thanks much, I'll see your bump and raise you a bump.

99 pages of December banter. Will we hit 100 before someone starts the new thread for Jan 2021??? (Then we can all rejoice and say good riddance to 2020!!!)

Where's Jeb at? If he sees that map he'll be chasing for sure. That sort of dump or anything close to it would be crippling to that part of TX (yea, I know, it's a clown map, but...)

Wow, after a day of relative bliss for Christmas, the tension in the Jan Med/LR is getting deep and thick. Looking like the Reaper is going to be very busy if the models don't lock onto something soon, and keep it locked in right up to some sort of payday. The terse replies and sharp elbows are testimony as to why so many have departed the forum.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone! Hope 2021 brings everyone on our humble planet a break from the trials of 2020. For all on the forum, safe travels if you venture onto the highways. May early 2021 bring the proverbial MECS that all models sniff out a week in advance, lock onto and are unwavering right until the event unfolds and we're all out enjoying the solitude of a Jebwalk. May everyone in the MA get dumped on to their hearts content to provide the much needed "fix" we all desperately need for this cursed hobby (to some) and profession (the red taggers). Henceforth may all banger stay in Banter and may I get more than the normal lump of coal. Although, considering the events of 2020, I'd be happy with that.

Yup - you are quite astute as normal Mappy. You pick up on things many others don't. haha

Can't resist and no intent to stir up something, but when has Bastardi not hyped the weather? That was his M/O in his early days back in the 90's. He was always juicing things up.

I skied Squaw in early 92 - Feb I think. Great to hear they've relaxed policies and opened things up out west. The liability situation back then was out of control. Skiing is an inherently risky endeavor and it's incumbent upon all participants to take the necessary precautions. Used to love going out of bounds - with beacon, shovel and probe poles of course. FYI - the Japanese thought it was crazy to go under the rope. There's a rope there so that means ya gotta stay on the trail side of it (intentional sarcasm there). The trails get so crowded in Japan it's incredible to just watch the draconian motion in play, which mere feet on the other side of the rope is amazing powder most avid skiers would die for. Overall, Japan has absolutely some of the best snow I've ever encountered. Hiked up and skied down Mt. Fuji with 2 snow-boarders in 97. That was an unforgettable experience I'll likely never be able to do again. Was a crystal clear day with unlimited visibility. There's some great back-country routes in the Alps and a lot of ski-touring if you're into that. It's a great way to get off the beaten path. Most of the Europeans use randonee equipment and the hut routes can get crowded in late Spring. Also a lot of glaciers, which pose hazards of multiple forms. Sadly, I've not skied for several years. Still have all the gear, but my conditioning is currently non-existent and hitting the slopes would be ugly. The last 10 years have taken a toll with too much work etc, but it's better than the alternative. In general, the Alps are more stark in elevation contrast compared to out west (a very general comparison). In the Rockies, where I've traveled a lot, when you go down in the valley bottoms you're still at 6k feet ASL or more. In the Alps, the bottom of the valleys are maybe 2-3k feet ASL, depending on where you are. On the down side, Skiing in the Alps can be crowded (although nowhere near as crowded as Japan). Especially during Spring break and everyone who skis takes a week in the Spring time to go skiing (normally in March or April). Sometimes the backups on the autobahn can be 100+ km long and legendary. Likewise, the lines to get on lifts can be very aggressive by US standards. It's akin to herding cows and the bull with the sharpest horns gets ahead. You have to get used to having everyone ski on top of your skis. They say you only ski on the bottoms, so don't worry about the tops. If you do ever get the inclination to try out the Alps, let me know. Happy to provide some ideas on where to go and which places are over-rated, like St. Moritz (pass - it's just a money sink). Not sure how many resorts I skied in Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy and Austria, too many to count. Of them all, the Austrians are the most laid back and the French are bastards in ski lines. But, Val d,Isere has over 220 lifts and is worth the trek. Skied a week there 2 times and never took all the lifts. An absolute must-see is Zermatt. The first time you see the Matterhorn will be an unforgettable experience.

Wasn't sure what or where Revelstoke is. (looked it up) It used to be Jackson Hole and Whistler Blackcomb vied for the greatest vertical in N. America at around 4000' of vertical. But that info is dated and I see Revelstoke has a little over 5000' of vertical. Cool. Only place west of Ohio I've skied was Squaw Valley. It was disappointing after the Alps. The snow was great quality. It was the terrain that was a let down. And the rules... don't do this, don't do that, can't ski there or the Ski Patrol will punch your ticket and/or arrest you. It was crazy. In the Alps you can ski anyplace you want, but are held responsible if you muck up and/or get injured off-piste. If you've never skied the Alps before, highly recommend it.