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February 10, 2010
"Climate Change" Comes to Leesburg Virginia Part II: Blizzard!
Updates and new photos at bottom
NOAA: Blizzard - def: "Officially, the National Weather Service defines a blizzard as a storm which contains large amounts of snow OR blowing snow, with winds in excess of 35 mph and visibilities of less than 1/4 mile for an extended period of time (at least 3 hours). When these conditions are expected, the National Weather Service will issue a "Blizzard Warning". When these conditions are not expected to occur simultaneously, but one or two of these conditions are expected, a "Winter Storm Warning" or "Heavy Snow Warning" may be issued."
Ok, so what we're getting in northern Virginia is not what those of you in more northern climes get, but it is fairly unusual for us. As it is the worst of the storm is passing to the north, so Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston will really get hammered this time.
This was the view from my front door this morning at maybe 7:30. The door faces almost directly east, so normally I'd see the sun coming up. Mind you, I live in a townhouse development and there are times when you can not even see across the street.
And these from my back door
Evening Update
Like many offices in the area, I suppose, mine follows the Federal government as to whether they're open or closed. Given that the Feds have been closed all week and probably tomorrow as well, we are too.
The good news is that with laptops we can vpn in and work from home.
The bad news is that with laptops we can vpn in and work from home.
With modern technology there is no escape.
Although there is no way I am going anywhere tomorrow, I grew stir crazy late in the afternoon and decided to venture out to do some digging. As you can see, the pile in my yard is just about at the height of the front door, which I haven't been able to open since Friday.
Record Snowfall Levels
The Times is reporting today that
As a result of Wednesday's snowfall, all three Washington-area airports now have set records for snowfall in a winter season: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport reached 54.9 inches as of early afternoon, by which time Washington Dulles International Airport had reached 67 1/2 inches for the winter and Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport had 65.6 inches.
RR airport is in Washington DC, and Dulles to the west out near where I live. I just heard on the radio that Baltimore has had 72 inches.
Thursday
Dug out! I'm not going anywhere today, but it's nice to know I could if I had to.
Here's the view in the opposite direction
Posted by Tom at February 10, 2010 11:30 AM
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Comments
I'll bet you wish Al Gore was right Tom. He's laughing at you right now.
Posted by: Truth 101 at February 11, 2010 5:31 PM
Tom;
Just found your spot, great blog.
Thought you might like some more climate information.
Title Story: "How does the flatulent emission of a 12-ton dinosaur compare to a 12-story smoke stack?...I'm just saying".
Facts: Flatulence from livestock is often blamed as a significant source of greenhouse gases. While livestock account for around 20% of global methane emissions, most of it is from burping.
The New Zealand government is making attempts to reduce greenhouse emissions by imposing an agricultural emissions levy known as the "flatulence tax".
How did Al Gore miss this right under his nose?
Posted by: Glen at February 12, 2010 2:09 PM
Glen is absolutely right about New Zealand's tax on methane.
I agree there's something absurd about it on the surface, but when you think about it it's actually a serious problem.
For example, there are almost certainly many more cattle alive on the planet now than there ever were dinosaurs. Though we might think of cows as part of "nature", they are actually an anthropogenic phenomenon. Just think of all the forest land that has been converted into pasture; all the nitrogen fertilizer that has been produced to grow corn to feed them.
Also, the modern cow has an unusually inefficient digestive system - which produces huge amounts of methane in the form of, yes, both farting and burping. Some people have suggested we eat kangaroo instead, which apparently has a better designed stomach. I can't comment on how efficient the stomachs of dinosaurs were, unfortunately...
Hopefully, there are ways to reduce cows' methane footprint. Dietary supplements are being developed to aid digestion, for example.
Anyway, food for thought!
Posted by: Mylne Karimov at February 13, 2010 10:24 AM
