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I've enjoyed reading more about historical chessmasters over the years, too -- but you'll likely laugh at the genesis of my interest. In freshman year of college, I lived next door in the dorm to a music major who played a wide variety of music, especially from stage musicals. I'm no great fan of musicals (and really dislike opera), but that year my dorm neighbor had one cast album on high rotation, and the repetition did its work on me. It was a then-new musical from lyricist Tim Rice and music from the two dudes from the pop group ABBA called "Chess" -- about a chess championship between American vs. Russian grandmasters, and the woman they BOTH fall in love with (of course). I realize this concept sounds like a yawner on paper, but I'm telling you -- Chess has some of the best rock, pop, classical and other styles of music therein that I've ever heard, on OR off the stage. Most folks are familiar with rap-ish pop song "One Night In Bangkok" from that era....but have no idea it serves as the Act 2 opener from Chess. Lots of productions done around the world over the years, but one of the best is a 2008 semi-staged concert version done with Idina Menzel and Josh Groban (trailer below). You can still catch an occasional rerun on PBS, and I can recommend the DVD as a enjoyable and worthwhile investment, too.

Great deep winter pictures Josh. Just shows how good Chicago has had it snow wise this month with the pictures that’s been coming out of there. Makes our winter wonderland look kinda weak. You decide where you’re going up north to yet?

Thanks we are trying to reel this one in. Especially Josh and myself! Miss you on the chat on FB man! Be well!

Yep, we got a 0.4" of sugar here on 0.03" liquid. Gave a glitter to the snowpack. Josh's snowfall chart: wet snow or slushy snow (mild out) dense snow (mild out, similar to wet snow but no melting of any kind on pavement) sandy or sugary snow (cold but low ratio snow due to small flakes) powder (my favorite if I had to pick. usually 12-14:1 ratio) fluff (15-20:1 ratio snow) air fluff (20+ : 1 ratio snow)

Winding down here, with 0.8" as the total. LSR seems pretty low, as the snow is very sugary as Josh would say. Kind of a disappointment, but still a nice little refresher and always nice to see it snow during the daytime.

U know its a sh*t winter when Josh is even remotely close to bitchin about it. Slowly wearin you down. If this next wave performs anything like the gfs is showing that will give northern Wisconsin there big snow leaving pretty much metro Detroit as only area this far north in the region without a respectable snowstorm. Maybe Toronto but havent really paid much attention to canada as most dont lol. As frustrating as its been, its even worse that the northeast might get its 3rd foot plus storm in a winter where it looked promising the midwest would have a possible historic winter and east coast not much. Just goes to show winter outlooks are useless.

Gaylord had about 8” on the ground when we went through there Saturday, just north of there the snow really gets thin to the point that Indian River had maybe 3”. South of Gaylord to just north of West Branch had the deepest snow pack as of this weekend but I’m assuming that will change after we get some cold air and the lake effect gets going. Parts of the UP north of M28 are starting to get a decent snow pack finally, I know my cousins place north of Paradise had about 16-18” on the ground Sunday. Might want to consider heading that way Josh, the falls are awesome during the winter!

There are and will always be people who DO "pay attention to that" and other things going on and do not always model hug (there are/were multiple lows swirling around those directly associated with this storm, including a weak one that rolled off the coast of the Carolinas). My own personal analogy to trying to nail down a Miller B is somehow creating an algorithm that can determine where an Olympic long-jumper will land at the end of a jump, once they start their run, and finally launch themselves off the ground. There are all sorts of parameters associated with that process and the use of statistics, although helping to narrow the possibilities, still introduces errors that really can't be helped due to other factors that can impact result (the runner and their vitals, the track type and conditions, the air conditions, etc). You can ballpark it but that is about all. Sometimes "common sense" needs to be used. When one storm weakens and starts to die out just as another one starts to form some distance away, and you are located somewhere between them, then that equals "dry slot" (an area of little or no precipitation). In other words, you are now "between 2 systems". There really is nothing more "complex" or "meteo" about that. I do agree that climate change is impacting these models in terms of an assumption that they are including some type of typical "climo" data (i.e., based on some past "x" years of weather conditions to determine what is "more likely to happen" in a particular case). There will always be a "freak" set of circumstances that will be outliers but I think other factors, like climate cycles, are also hard to nail down to include in that "climo" data, and might or might not be used in a model. For example, the current PHL all-time record low of -11F (2/4/34) since record-keeping began back in 1870 here, hasn't been matched again (yet). And so far, since 1994, the city still hasn't registered a temp below 0. The heat island (often mentioned by Paul) is real. The city's defacto building height restrictions were breached in the mid-80s and the skyscraper construction since has created a dense masonry/metal/glass heat sink. This area's proximity to a HUGE body of (relatively warm) water means an increased possibility of large precipitation events, any time of the year. It's that simple. Whether it is a noreaster in the winter or a hurricane in the summer. I have taken note a couple decades ago when the Carolinas were plagued with ice storms. That phenomena gradually moved north including this area - notably 1994 when we started getting an increase in ice storms. It was sortof the canary in the coal mine (1996 aside). That also corresponded with the year with the last below 0 temp in the city proper as well. The ocean SSTs have warmed further north over time and that large body of water off the coast has a major say in what happens here. Thankfully I'm retired so I don't have to deal with trying to drive in this. It'll be enough of a PITA to clear off my SUV. And regarding chasing, I expect you missed back when this place was called "Eastern Weather" and the Admins (including Randy), along with a bunch of others who frequent the MA Forum, chased a Tug Hill Plateau lake effect monstrosity and "live blogged it", complete with pics. I'm not sure whether that got archived on the site somewhere with the name change of this site, but it was fascinating to follow. I know there are chasers at AmWx (notably chasing hurricanes - e.g., Josh) and Wentzadelphia does appear to try to chase winter storms and BBasil chases severe for photos. I always appreciate the contributions of many who post here. This place has as variety of weather lovers who either enjoy a specific type or all types of weather situations - whether winter-related and/or severe and/or tropical. Much of what goes on here involves a lot teasing and "banter", and there will always be trolling (as with any web discussion forum and mods usually take care of it). In general, this particular sub-group is pretty laid back compared to the others. But I think people will eventually move on to the next event and I expect that most here are "adults", so "parenting" (when not a mod) probably isn't called for.

I dont think it matters who starts a thread. I honestly had no issue with brian d starting a thread to mix it up since SE MI needed something to shake things up but so much for that idea. Just one of those winters. And lol @ josh who said earlier today winters only half over. Its 75% over. Cant count on snow in march, maybe the first week.

Lol, Those were all 18 hr dusters to get 3 inches. Congrats to us. You cant count those as actual snowstorms. Those events prob didnt even have a dry slot. Come on josh. Just for once admit east of the glacier ridge sucks for snowstorms. Enjoy your snow y'all. Send pics to remind josh what a real 6 inch snow looks like.

Josh, cool idea. I've had the 6"+ list compiled for Chicago for quite awhile...you should have asked. Regardless, I've got a few corrections/added missing data to your list. Below are the ones that I have that are different from yours for Chicago... 1886-87: 2 1891-92: 3 1896-97: 2 1897-98: 2 1898-99: 0 1899-00: 2 1917-18: 3 1927-28: 3 1932-33: 2 1934-35: 3 1949-50: 1 1950-51: 2 1957-58: 1 1958-59: 2 1966-67: 3 1968-69: 1 1974-75: 3 1989-90: 2 2000-01: 3 2006-07: 2 2007-08: 1

Josh would chase this thing if it were over land.

Yeah they made the commitment to him, and will likely sign him long term in the offseason. They need to give him the supporting cast to get the passing game to be more of a threat. The OL should be easy enough to fix in the offseason, but for whatever reason, the Ravens are awful drafting/developing a legit WR. They signed Boldin as a FA, and that helped them win a SB. Not sure who is available via trade or free agency, but they need to do what Buffalo did when they got Diggs. Look at the difference in Josh Allen this year. Night and day. Buffalo also did a great job implementing the short passing game- receiver screens etc, to help him be more efficient. Meanwhile, the Ravens are stuck with the severely overrated and unimaginative Greg Roman.

I hope there is no snow, I want Josh Allen dropping dimes. Lamar can't throw. Snow favors ravens pretty hard.

Yeah the Titans made two huge mistakes: dropping the spy on Lamar on that 48 yard run, and abandoning the long passing game that tore up Baltimore’s secondary in the first half. They thought they could win by running Henry into an eight man box. The Bills won’t make the first mistake. Tennessee stomped Baltimore in last year’s playoffs because they schemed to contain Lamar on every play. The Bills will do the same, except Buffalo has a far better defense than the Titans. And on offense, Josh needs to keep hitting Baltimore on the long shots as long as they’re giving them away. But it will be important to have the running game going if Baltimore drops multiple LBs into pass coverage. Josh can tuck and run, but the Ravens will cheap shot a QB at any opportunity. I can see Cleveland winning in KC in a shocker. If the Bills take care of business against Baltimore, two weeks from today they could be playing in Orchard Park for the Super Bowl.

I can’t wait for Josh Allen at 8:15 Saturday night. GO RAVENS.

Josh allen can run tho...

I completely agree. You know it makes me laugh, all the fans last week “play the starters we need to keep our momentum”...how'd that work today? They were very one dimensional and as you stated if colts don’t doink a chip shot field goal or kick the other chip shot field goal instead of going for it Bills lose...not to mention the fortuitous fumble bounce right to Williams hands on Josh’s best attempt at reliving last year at Houston. They play like that and they will not win next week.

Don’t know who is calling the plays the Buffalo today but wtf! You run it with Moss on 2nd & 3rd and short? With Josh Allen at QB? Spread everyone out and utilize quick WR’s and Allen’s legs.

josh on nbc ct had 4" in harwinton......thats not bad i guess......we were just there yesterday......well on our ride to and from mohawk......they need some new snow for sure.......the fake shit is so annoying

Hahaha yea it went a bit further nw but by then it weakened. Looks like it dropped 2-3 inches before moving nw of detroit. Nickle, diming, and dusting to the avg. Can't wait for Josh to turd polish our winter in april saying he grades this winter an A since we reached our average, not mentioning that we didnt have one 6 inch storm, and if we do, it'll take 24 hours to get those 6 inches.

What's up Josh. Don't have as much time anymore, but when things get interesting, I'll stop in.

If Stefon diggs or josh Allen hurt themselves innocuously (think thumb for Goff or blown out knee for diggs making a simple cut like the hurricanes QB D’riq King made the other night) and all hopes of a SB are gone. The extra home game is A) not what it used to be due to low fan numbers allowed and the Steelers probably will not get past the first round anyways. I can’t listen anymore to any one wanting that 2 seed: the risks FAR outweigh the rewards.

Meh. Marginal airmass with the ull over Josh Allen’s crib...nothing to see SW of BDL.

All finished here. Guessing around 1.5”. I’ll take it all things considered. Correction, right at 2” Josh pic