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Tag: Winter

  • Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil’s Winter Predictions Found To Be Wrong 60 Percent Of The Time

    Expect spring to be a tad bit late as Punxsutawney Phil forecasted that winter is here for another six weeks. The world-famous groundhog went with his unorthodox methods to bring the forecast.

    Legend has it that if the groundhog sees his shadow after emerging from his burrow on February 2, people can expect the winter to extend its stay. Punxsutawney Phil quickly retreated to his burrow around 7:30 a.m. in Pennsylvania as the region is hit with scattered snow showers.

    A sizable crowd of about 11,000 gathered to watch the ceremony, hoping that Phil’s prediction will end the long winter that has ravaged the country. The top hat-wearing handlers of Phil however announced the extended winter.

    While it is still unknown if Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction will come true, the National Climatic Data Center has compiled Phil’s successes and failures since 1988. Throughout the years of his service as the gifted groundhog, Phil was recorded to be wrong 15 times out of the 26-year study. Dave Unger, a meteorologist from the National Weather service said that a good forecast will only be considered if the estimate is around 60% accurate. Right now, Phil’s predictions only amounts to about 40%.

    Groundhog Day has been celebrated since 1841, making it a true American tradition. While the tradition is still very much alive, Punxsutawney Phil has been constantly faced with controversies about his questionable predictions. An Ohio prosecutor infamously sought the death penalty for Phil back in 2013 after the furry psychic predicted an early spring, when it fact the cold weather persisted throughout the East Coast until March of that year.

    All around the country, several Groundhog Day-like celebrations are also held. Staten Island Chuck is making the prediction in New York, while Wiarton Willie if the snow will continue to fall in Ontario, Canada. Potomac Phil, a stuffed Groundhog from Washington, D.C. also saw his shadow, echoing Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction.

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis: Tips To Help You Cope This Winter

    Staying active can be difficult for many rheumatoid arthritis sufferers, especially during the harsh winter months.

    Research has shown that those who suffer from conditions like rheumatoid arthritis benefit from physical activity.

    Constant movement is said to ease pain, and improve body function and overall quality of life.

    At the same time winter is a month when many people, even those who don’t suffer from chronic physical ailments, become less physically active.

    The cold temperatures and harsh weather can make it difficult to get out and give such a sensation of uncomfortableness that no one wishes to leave their cozy home.

    It’s important that those with rheumatoid arthritis make the attempt to stay physically active, even during the winter.

    Here are a few tips for how to make that happen:

    1.) Dress for the weather

    If you are properly insulated against cold weather (whether indoors or outside), you won’t mind the cold nearly as much.

    Invest in long underwear, insulation clothing, and quality outerwear.

    2.) Find a water walking class

    Too cold for your regular outdoor walks? Consider a water walking class.

    Water exercises tend to be less harsh on the joints than traditional exercises.

    “The water’s buoyancy supports the body’s weight, which reduces stress on the joints and minimizes pain,” said Vennie Jones, who works as an aquatic coordinator.

    “And it’s still a great workout. Water provides 12 times the resistance of air, so as you walk, you’re really strengthening and building muscle.”

    Regular underwater workouts can help rheumatoid arthritis sufferers get their regular exercise while avoiding frigid weather conditions.

    3.) Consider heat (or even cold) therapy

    Heat therapy can be a welcome relief for arthritis pain as the treatment is said to both stimulate blood circulation and reduce muscle spasms.

    Cold therapy meanwhile can reduce pain through the constriction of blood vessels.

    It may take individuals with rheumatoid arthritis some time to figure out which treatment works best.

    Definitely use heat (and/or cold therapy) to quell aching muscles while maintaining efforts to stay mobile.

    It’s important to keep moving, no matter how cold it gets. The more active rheumatoid arthritis patients remain, the better it is for their overall health.

    What methods have you found help with rheumatoid arthritis during winter months?

  • Winter Tires: Tips To Keep You Safe

    Whether you want to admit it or not, winter is almost here and that means snow, ice and sleet in many parts of the country. As much as most of us would like to stay bundled up and inside on those cold wintery days, it just isn’t possible and travel is a daily necessity for most people.

    Winter can make road conditions unsafe, but by preparing your car for winter, you have a much better chance of staying safe. One of the most popular and effective ways to prepare your automobile for winter is to install winter tires.

    Winter tires are designed to perform better in cold conditions and in the snow and ice. While it might seems as simple as picking out some tires and putting them on your car, there are some tips that can help ensure you choose the right ones.

    Do’s

    Install all four winter tires on the vehicle. Even if the tread and condition of one or more of your current tires is good, you should still install winter tires on all four of your vehicle’s wheels. This will ensure that all of your tires are performing properly and that you have a smooth and even ride.

    Check the tires often for pressure and signs of wear and damage. Winter can wear tires down quickly and although you may think that your new winter tires will last a long time, if you drive often you should check the tread and condition on a regular basis.

    Check air pressure often. Tires with the proper air pressure will last longer and are safer for winter travel.

    Don’ts

    Avoid using tires that have low or worn tread. As the tread wears down, the car will lose traction in the snow. Although you might not think a little tread loss is a big deal, it could make your car unsafe for winter travel.

    It is never a good idea to mix tires, especially winter tires. You will need all of the tires to work together to get you through the snow and ice safely and when they all match, they will work together better.

    If you are in need of winter tires, now is the time to buy them. Don’t wait until the bad weather hits, get your car or truck ready now.

  • Record Early Snowfall: Winter Is Coming

    Just when you thought you’d gotten the memory of a ceaseless winter out of your minds, here comes a story to remind you that it all has to happen again.

    A record-early snowfall has hit parts of the Midwestern United States.

    On Thursday morning, snow fell in parts of Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado. This represents the earliest that snow has fallen in the United States outside of winter.

    This wasn’t exactly a polite “dusting” either.

    In one region of South Dakota, it was reported to have snowed as much as eight inches. Seven inches of snow was said to have fallen at Mount Rushmore.

    How much snow reportedly fell in portions of northern Wyoming?

    Try eighteen inches.

    Even if you aren’t currently digging out (and 11 days before summer officially ends at that), it has to be somewhat depressing knowing that this crazy weather will be coming to a snow shovel near you within the coming weeks.

    Especially since this year’s winter is supposed to be a precipitation-heavy affair. While this can mean rain, it also means that frequent snowfall is likely.

    Blame it on the “El Nino” weather phenomenon.

    This is when unusually warm Pacific Ocean water temperatures have an impact on North American weather patterns.

    Scientists have already compared it to the conditions seen in 1997. The “Super El Nino” of the late nineties brought with it heavy snowfall and ice storms.

    It’s very possible that we could be getting a repeat nearly two decades later.

    As such, you may want to start preparing for the inconvenient weather NOW.

    Though summer isn’t over and you probably don’t want to think about how cold you’re going to be a few weeks from now.

    Just remember that no one was ever sorry to be prepared for cold weather and winter snow storms!

  • Snowplow TV Reporter: Wave of Snow ‘Videobombs’ Live Standup

    Some snowplows take snowball fighting a little too far.

    During a live TV coverage Monday morning in Salem County, New Jersey, one of Philadelphia’s local reporters was crushed by a wave of snow.

    WTXF-TV Fox 29’s Steve Keeley was reporting about the trendy snowstorm hitting the east coast when a snowplow swept by, striking him with a heavy load.

    In the video, Keeley starts his morning report as usual, speaking on the details of the weather and what necessary procedures the snowplows are doing to minimize the amount of snow on the streets.

    He then, for some reason, moves closer to the street. As the cameraman shows footage of snowplow trucks passing by, the reporter is all of a sudden engulfed in snow.

    Despite the minor videobomb, Keeley continues to talk as if nothing even happened.

    Watch Keeley get hit by massive snow:

    What a trooper!

    According to Fox 29, Keeley is a “pro” at his job because aside from the hard hit,  “he didn’t even miss a beat.”

    The station stated how Monday’s live coverage was the “15th snowstorm Keeley has reported on this winter.”

    The veteran reporter made light of the situation by jokingly saying that a rival reporter from another station may have sabotaged his live coverage.

    He even went on Twitter and posted a funny comment about plows and cows:

     


    Keeley told Good Day Philadelphia’s Mike Jerrick that he’s more than certain that this incident would make him a YouTube sensation. 

    “You know I’ve spent my whole time here, ever since the invention of YouTube, I have done everything I could to avoid being a YouTube star, and I think that hit will be on YouTube.”

    Unfortunately, Keeley will not hold the title as the first reporter uploaded to YouTube following a snowplow incident. However, he may be the first one to go viral.

    Seven years ago, a WWTV Michigan journalist was nearly knocked out by a snowplow truck while reporting in a similar fashion.

    Check it out here:

    Future reporters, use this as a bit of advice: do not report so close to the roadways-especially when snowplows are present.

    Image via Youtube

  • I-25 Pileup in Denver Injures 30, Kills One

    A vehicle pileup occurred on Interstate 25 in Denver, Colo., Saturday.

    The multiple-crash was first reported at 10:50 a.m. The Colorado Department of Transportation has determined that the 104-vehicle pileup involved two separate accidents.

    The northbound interstate was closed for nearly five hours while traffic was at a standstill for at least a mile long.

    Motorist Darrell Barber told The Denver Post that the pileup could have been avoidable if commuters were driving a little safer. His Chevy Tahoe was hit multiple times during the crash.

    “People were just driving too fast for conditions. It was totally preventable,” said Barber.

    According to The Weather Channel, Winter Storm Titan caused an extensive snowfall. Meteorologists said that initially a fog froze the roads and then “one to three inches of snow…fell in under two hours.”

    “As with a couple of multi-vehicle pileups earlier in the winter, you don’t need a major snowstorm. Sometimes quick bursts of snow are all it takes,” said meteorologist Jonathan Erdman.

    The Denver Post reported that 6 to 8 inches of snow fell since 5 a.m. that morning.

    Wrecked cars were taken to the neighboring South High School.

    The Denver Police Department reported that 30 people were injured and taken immediately to the Denver Health Medical Center. One unidentified woman was killed.

    All other uninjured motorists were transported onto a city bus. Investigators later questioned them about the incident.

    Colorado DOT ordered four tankers and 100 snowplows to clear the icy roads. The highway was eventually reopened at 3:48 p.m. yesterday.

    The department has suggested that motorists pack their cars with water, food, blankets, and all other emergency supplies for future travels.

     

    Unfortunately, this is not the first vehicle pileup of the wintry season.

    In December a pileup involving more than 30 vehicles occurred on Interstate 78 in eastern Pennsylvania. Additionally, just last month 30 people were injured in yet another pileup on a Pennsylvania turnpike. At least 100 vehicles were involved. No fatalities were reported in either event.

    Image via YouTube

  • Touchscreen Gloves: Many Options For Tech-Savvy Handwear

    Due to the winter storms that have been making their way all across the United States these past few weeks, most people have opted to bundle up before venturing out, even for small amounts of time. Coats, hats, and scarves can make for a warmer experience, but tend to add bulk and weight that make it hard to move. Another problem plaguing folks as the winter weather wreaks its havoc; gloves that make it incredibly hard to text or snapchat your friends about how cold it is when you have a touchscreen phone.

    Most retailers have hopped on this problem by making available touchscreen-compatible gloves. These nifty gloves can be picked up almost anywhere, ranging from places like Amazon.com and L.L. Bean to your local Walmart. This style of tech-savvy glove has become incredibly popular, even going so far as to make appearances of morning talkshows.

    Some people aren’t willing to shell out the cash to buy a pair of touchscreen gloves, however. Or, perhaps they don’t want to exchange a pair of old, well-loved gloves for a new set. These same folks still want to use their touchscreens, though, so they have to summon up some ingenuity. One such example of this creative problem-solving lies in this Kickstarter campaign, created by Tony Yu. Yu has created a liquid solution that can be applied to any pair of gloves in order to make them touchscreen-compatible. The Kickstarter has already far exceeded its goal of $10,000, but still has five days left until the crowd funding ceases.

    Another solution that’s appealing for the more crafty among us lies in touchscreen thread, which can be found online on Etsy and in your local craft supply store. These conductive threads can be knit or crocheted into the fingertips of handmade gloves, or can be sewn in to already existing pairs of gloves.

    Touchscreen gloves are a definite must-have for any tech-savvy person during the winter months, and with so many options available, there’s sure to be a solution that works just right for you.

    Image via Focalprice.

  • Snowstorm Pounding Midwest, Moving East

    Snowstorm Pounding Midwest, Moving East

    Although it is winter and snow and cold weather is to be expected, the storms that are hitting the country are anything but normal.

    Record cold temps, record snowfall, as well as severe travel complications make this winter, a season that millions of people will be happy to see come to an end.

    The most recent storm that hit the Midwest Tuesday night affected more than 100 million Americans and left them dealing with up to 10 inches on top of the existing ice and snow from the last storm. And this same storm is heading to the already burdened Northeast on Wed.

    It’s obvious that the Midwest is having difficulty managing all of the massive snowfall. The governor of Kansas declared a state of emergency due to Tuesday’s storm, and ABC News reported that Missouri crews just couldn’t keep up with the rapid snowfall. By afternoon, state officials were strongly suggesting that people just “stay home”. As much as 8 inches was predicted for the northern part of the state.

    Across Indiana and Illinois Tuesday night, snow was falling at the astounding rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

    And another, bigger storm may be just days behind it.

    And as if the southern U.S. could handle anymore crazy weather, Arkansas saw ice that caused spinouts and damaged power lines, leaving 40,000 people without power on Tuesday afternoon.

    In the East, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the New York City region that continues until 6 p.m. Wednesday. Predictions are for 4 to 8 inches of snow and a quarter of an inch of ice.

    Massachusetts and the surrounding areas are also in the path of this heavy snowfall.

    Because of the massive storms that have repeatedly hit these areas is causing shortages of necessary supplies, as officials in 12 states have reported severe shortages of salt for the roads, which is used to ease the driving conditions in heavy snow and ice.

    Airlines have had to cancel more than 1,500 flights on Tuesday, bringing the total for the last two days to more than 3,600, and that number doesn’t include delayed flights.

    And it’s not over yet.

    Image via YouTube

  • Bombogenesis – The Latest Storm Wreaking Havoc

    First was the Polar Vortex, and now Bombogenesis – the names are getting stranger, most likely to match the crazy storms that have been pounding the northeast.

    The post by Philadelphia meteorologist John Bolaris announced “Old Man Winter to Drop, Bombogenesis” is what some think got this newest storm term started.

    Bombogenesis also derived its name from another weather term, cyclogenesis, which is just a fancy word for the origin of a cyclone.

    Might be a strange word for a storm, but it’s a term meteorologists use to describe an area of low pressure that creates a rapidly intensifying storm, or cyclone, and gets stronger as it moves over the ocean, said Bob Oravec, a National Weather Service forecaster.

    In order to have a bombogenesis effect, it takes a cold air mass meeting a warmer air mass. That can happen over water or land, and the East Coast is a prime spot during the winter months when the cold arctic air clashes with the warmer Gulf Stream waters, Oravec said.

    The barometric pressure drops, driving the winds into overdrive and then the condensation clouds bring the snow or rain.

    “Genesis refers to the generating (of the storm), while bomb means it’s an explosive growth,” Oravec added.

    The storm, dropping about a foot of snow on some parts of the Northeast, will see winds intensify Tuesday evening into Wednesday, creating this bombogenesis event.

    Oravec said there’s potential for a bombogenesis to occur every winter. In fact, he said, one hit over the waters off the East Coast when the polar vortex struck earlier this month.

    So bundle up and get ready for the bombogenesis heading toward the northeast at the early part of the week, bringing with it some very cold weather as well.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Lake Michigan’s Shoreline Is Filling Up With Massive Ice Balls [Video]

    Well, everyone knows how cold it has been in Michigan for the past couple of weeks, causing many people to lose power. Recently, something that people in Michigan have come to refer to as “ice balls” have started showing up on the shore of Lake Michigan.

    The weather has had drastic turns in all parts of the country, but it has hit especially hard with the cold and the snow in the Northeast and the Midwest.

    Lake Michigan has always been known for its beauty as well as some odd sights over the years, and this is certainly one to marvel at in both ways.

    It is something that has been seen before on the shore of Lake Michigan, but still quite a sight to see for anyone who is not familiar. The ice balls form in water that is just below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and start out as small chunks of ice.

    From there, the chunks form layer by layer, as the waves shape them into spheres, eventually ending up on the shore.

    The lighthouses have also been making their own kind of art pieces along with the help of the cold. Check out this graphic.

    The ice balls have been forming in Glen Arbor, Michigan which is north of the Sleeping Bear Dunes. A similar incident happened near Traverse City almost a year ago when huge boulders that were up to about 50 pounds in size started washing up.

    This particular winter phenomenon is not something that is new to the area, but the size of the ice balls is what is truly alarming.

    Parts of Lake Michigan have also completely frozen over for the first time since 1936 during the brutal winter that people are experiencing in Michigan right now.

    With the brutal temperatures that people in Michigan and other parts of the Midwest have been experiencing, it has been dangerous for some people. All over the country, regions are experiencing the coldest temperatures in many years, and in some places, it is the coldest that it has ever been.

    When people lost power in Michigan, people were forced to turn to their neighbors or try to make it on their own. How is everyone finding ways to deal with this rough winter?

    Image via Youtube

  • Frozen Pipes: a Fluid Ounce of Prevention

    Frozen Pipes: a Fluid Ounce of Prevention

    Waking up on a winter morning to a home that is still nice and toasty, thanks to a good heat pump or furnace, is certainly a good thing. Everything seems to still be fine when you make that first toilet flush of the morning, In fact, you can remain blissfully oblivious to the problem until you start to run water for your coffee. But if you have a Keurig with a full tank, you might even miss it then.

    You read the paper, sip your coffee, eat cereal. The coffee kicks in and you make your second bathroom visit of the morning. Visit Number Two, we’ll call it. You finish up, push the flush handle, and only then realize that something is wrong. Very wrong.

    Whether you end up with a stink bomb in your bathroom, or get stalled way back at the coffeepot, the awful truth settles in: your pipes are frozen. From here, multiple questions start to come, especially if this home is new to you.

    Is it one pipe, or multiple places?

    Is it within the walls of the house, or in a crawlspace?

    What are the temperatures going to be like for the coming days?

    Is there any chance this might thaw out on its own?

    And these are just the diagnostic questions related to the problem itself. You also have to figure out when you can make it in to work, whether kids can get to school on time, what you might do if this turns into a prolonged situation.

    If this has not yet happened to you, consider that it just may be because you’ve been quite lucky. Perhaps that hated 3:00 a.m. visit to the bathroom each night has kept just enough water moving in your pipes to prevent a freeze before you could wake again and turn on the tap.

    All it could take is one Friday night where you sleep solid through the night and a Saturday morning that you sleep in late and … no water.

    So here are a few practical tips that you can use to help lessen the odds that you will be a victim of frozen pipes this winter.

    1) Leave faucets trickling. This is the most common thing you hear, and with good reason. Even just a slight drip at multiple faucets can keep water moving in your pipes just enough to prevent freezing. Concerned about water conservation? Make that drip into the bathtub or a bucket. Transfer the water to the back of your toilet for flushing.

    2) Open sink vanity cabinet doors, laundry room doors, and any other area that will allow warm air from the house to circulate to pipes better. You might be quite surprised at how cold a pipe in a laundry room, closed to the rest of the house, on an exterior wall, can get.

    3) Disconnect all outside water hoses. Many outside water faucets are designed to drain back and not keep water standing in them. This design is defeated if a hose full of water is still connected to the faucet. Once that freezing point starts, it can spread further, perhaps just back far enough in the line to stop flow to the rest of the house.

    4) Wrap any pipes you can find that might be exposed to outside air. This is often difficult to get to. If you rent a home, talk to the landlord about doing this. A reminder that any burst pipes will mean a homeowner’s insurance claim for them might make them appreciate your eye for prevention.

    More such tips for prevention and for dealing with the aftermath of frozen pipes can be found at the Red Cross website.

    Image via YouTube

  • You Can Make Your Own ‘Snow’ With Science

    Are you one of the many people around the world who had to go another year without a white Christmas? Those of us in the weather dominator-controlled state of Kentucky know it all too well as it snows a lot before Christmas, but never on the day of. If you’re in a similar situation, it turns you can make your own snow with a little help from science.

    Hard Science, the guys who proved that you could walk on water with a little help from corn starch, are back again with two videos showing how easy it is to make your own snow. That’s right – you can finally flip Mother Nature the bird for letting Heat Miser rule your town.

    The first experiment uses hand warmers to create ice sculptures. Wait, how is that possible? Turns out that the chemical used in heat warmers freezes at 130 degrees Fahrenheit. When poured over itself in solid form, the sodium acetate quickly freezes into a solid and can be turned into a wide variety of ice sculptures. Check it out:

    If you want to spend a little more money on something bigger, you can get some sodium polyacrylate. This polymer can absorb 300 times its own mass in water. While it turns into a jelly like substance with too much water, adding just the right amount turns it into a fine powder that almost perfectly mimics snow. Check it out:

    While these experiments can never truly replace being in a winter wonderland, it’s certainly the next best thing. Just try not to be too awkward around the cops when they inevitably ask why you’re transporting 25 pounds of white powder.

    Image via Hard Science/YouTube

  • Winter Solstice – The Shortest/Longest Day Of The Year – And So Much More…

    It happens every year between December 20th and the 23rd, the first day of winter – the Winter Solstice – and this year it falls on Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 17:11 UTC.

    This is a time when the sun reaches its most southerly declination of -23.5 degrees. In other words, it is when the North Pole is tilted 23.5 degrees away from the sun.

    When this happens, every place on earth above a latitude of 66.5 degrees north remain in darkness, and below this latitude, get 24 hours of daylight. The winter solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year.

    You can use the Sunrise and Sunset calculator to find the number of daylight hours during the December solstice worldwide.

    Winter solstice happens when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere.

    It is a time of celebration for many cultures because it represents the end of winter’s darkness and the coming of spring. For many ancient civilizations that struggled to survive through harsh winter, the winter solstice was a time to be grateful for winter passing.

    Festivities and rituals, all over the world celebrate this significant change.

    In Poland the ancient December solstice observance – prior to Christianity – involved people showing forgiveness and sharing food. It was a tradition that can still be seen in what is known as Gody.

    In the NE corner of Pakistan and among the Kalash Kafir people, a seven day celebration takes place that includes the Winter Solstice. They take ritual baths for purification, they sing and chant with a torchlight procession and there is dancing and festival foods.

    The Mayan honored the sun god prior to the Christian influence, doing a dangerous ritual known as the flying pole dance.

    The ancient Incas celebrated with a special festival to honor the sun god.

    In the 16th century these kinds of ceremonies were banned by the Roman Catholics in their attempt to convert the Inca people to Christianity. However, the Quecia Indians in Cusco, Peru, brought back the festivals and celebrations in the 1950s. It is now a major festival that begins in Cusco and continues to an ancient amphitheater nearby.

    In the Neolithic and Bronze Age, Winter Solstice was a way for people to identify the actual time for harvests and sowing of new crops.

    However, the most common modern-day tradition of winter or summer solstice observed around the world is to view sunrise and sunset.

    Image via NASA

  • Winter Solstice: Prepare For A Really Long Night

    Saturday night, Dec. 21st will be the longest night of the year — it will be Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. This means that North America will get only 9 hours and 32 minutes of sunshine as the night stretches on for more than 14 hours of darkness. The solstice will begin at 12:11 p.m. on Saturday.

    During this time, the sun will be overhead along the Tropic of Capricorn, at 23.5 degrees south. Locations north of the equator will see the sun follow its shortest arc across the southern sky. The Earth’s North Pole will be at its maximum tilt away from the sun. In Washington DC, the sun will be above the horizon for 9 hours and 26 minutes but the day will be even shorter for cities in Canada that are closer to the Northern Pole.

    The opposite will be the case in the Southern Hemisphere, as Earth’s South Pole will be pointing towards the sun, thus the Southern Hemisphere will have its longest day.

    File:Earth-lighting-winter-solstice EN.png

    After Dec 21, the nights will again start becoming shorter because the sun spends more time on the horizon until March 20 when there will be the same length of day and night because the axis of the Earth will be vertical.

    Again, the days will continue to grow longer through to the summer, and on June 21, we’ll experience the longest day of the year.

    Watch video of a short Arctic day

    Image via Wikipedia (1),(2)

  • Snow in Cairo: Yes, You Read That Right

    In wacky weather news, Cairo was slammed with a winter storm today, leaving over a foot of the white stuff all over the city.

    Jerusalem also received the storm’s wrath, as more than three feet of snow was dumped out on the city, trapping hundreds in their vehicles and leaving thousands without power.

    Getting rain in these parts is rare – Cairo receives less than an inch each year – let alone snow. In fact, no one really knows just how long it has been since Cairo saw snow, as historical records are difficult to ascertain.

    However, Jerusalem isn’t as much of a stranger to winter weather; it receives snow of more than six inches about every five to seven years. At least every two to three years it sees some sort of snow.

    Although some are enjoying the snow, it has also created hardships for many. The Israeli Defense Forces has been called into help, and the cold temperatures and harsh snow have made conditions even more unbearable for Syrian refugees who are living in Lebanon in makeshift tents and abandoned buildings.

    The snow has shut down most of the airports in the area and was the cause of two major flights being diverted. Additionally, most of the towns in the storm’s wake are immobilized.

    Adding insult to injury, another major storm is set to strike, possibly pounding the area with even more snow Friday night into Saturday. The storm could be three times the size of what just passed through.

    Folks flocked to Twitter to discuss the storm:

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Dallas Weather Cancels Half-Marathon

    Dallas Weather Cancels Half-Marathon

    On your mark, get set, no. Looks like Metro PCS Dallas Marathon runners will have to wait, as officials have decided to put a halt on the race, which is scheduled for Sunday, December 8.

    The Dallas area is expecting to be blasted with 1 to 2 inches of sleet accumulation, with 0.1 to 0.25 inch of freezing rain. This wintry weather will make the course too treacherous and dangerous on which to compete, according to the Dallas police and race organizers.

    “We regret that the race will not go on as planned,” marathon organizers wrote in a statement. “We are confident this decision is in the best interest of our runners, volunteers, spectators and the general public.”

    Some 25,000 runners were expected to compete in the race, some of which have trained for months. This is the first time the half-marathon has been canceled since 1971.

    Runners took to Twitter to lament about the cancellation:

    This cold weather hit the Dallas region after temperatures were in the 80s earlier in the week.

    A Health and Fitness Expo was also scheduled to take place this weekend in conjunction with the race and is also cancelled.

    Officials haven’t stated whether or not racers will receive compensation for their entrance fees.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Winter Tires Cause Health Problems, Swedish Medical Researchers Claim

    At a time when Sweden will soon get hit with its usual seasonal winter weather, medical researchers are asking for a ban against winter tires.

    In the 1960s, these tires were first introduced to consumers in the United States. Metal studs inserted into the tire were made to enhance the friction on slippery roads, particularly those covered in snow or ice.

    Tire companies such as, Nokian, Michelin, and Bridgestone, manufacture some of the most popular brands.

    However, these tires have come to develop a pretty bad reputation. Now, winter tires seem to be very damaging to roads and hazardous for drivers.

    In a report by Tiresrack.com, it states how winter tires during the drier seasons have been costly for taxpayers due to its tear on the road.

    “The studs were designed to use the vehicle’s weight and centrifugal forces to provide more ice traction as they repeatedly chipped into the driving surface. However, when the road wasn’t covered with snow or ice, tire studs noisily chipped into the road itself…Additionally as studded tires chip into the concrete, they eventually cut ruts in the road that will fill with water to create a hydroplaning hazard when it rains.”

    Aside from safety issues, Sweden’s MAIN concern is the health risk the tires produce. According to medical investigation, researchers assert that the chipping away of the road increases “…the amount of harmful particles in the air, leading to an increase in cardiac, vascular and pulmonary diseases.”

    In 2011, a scientific study in the Chemical Research in Toxicology journal concluded that studded winter tires presented similar health risks, as reported today.

    Countries like, Japan and Germany have banned the slip-resistant tires. State regulations prohibit winter tires in places such as, Texas, Alabama, Florida, and Maryland, while other states have minor seasonal restrictions.

    Along with Finland, Sweden has always been listed as one of the countries to substantially use winter tires.

    In the video below, Tire Rack visit Northern Sweden to test different tires that are best for winter time traction.

    Image Credit:  Youtube, Phillip O’Connor

  • Nemo Blizzard To Blanket the Northeast in Snow

    Forecasts for a potentially “historic” winter storm in New England have not improved since yesterday’s winter storm and blizzard watches. More severe warnings have been issued for a wider swath of the Northeast, including New York City.

    The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) is warning that the storm will blanket the Northeast in snow, including states from the Great Lakes area to New England. The storm will begin sometime today, Friday, and continue well into Saturday. Some counties in Massachusetts are predicted to receive as much as three feet of snow . The NWS warns that whiteout conditions are anticipated and that travel will be severely impacted.

    From an NWS forecast:

    The pieces will come together for a major…maybe even historic…snow storm across the lower great lakes and new england states during the short range period. Energy from a surface low crossing through the Ohio Valley should begin interacting with energy from a costal low tracking Northeastward along the mid-Atlantic coast early Friday. As the systems merge…conditions will quickly deteriorate over the Northeast on Friday while the costal low rapidly deepens offshore. Widespread heavy snows and strong winds will expand across the region and should last through Saturday morning. Heavily populated areas from New York City to Boston could measure more than a foot of snow from the event…with locally higher amounts possible.

    Though yesterday New York City was under only a winter storm warning, that has now been upgraded to a blizzard warning that expires at 1 pm on Saturday. The NWS forecasts that the city and costal portions of Northeast New Jersey could see strong winds and heavy snow – some 10 to 14 inches. Temperatures in the area could dip into the 20s by Friday evening, and the heaviest snowfall will begin at that time.

  • New England Blizzard Could Potentially be “Historic”

    The U.S. National Weather Service is warning residents of New England that a coming winter storm could be a record-breaker. The storm will hit the Northeast and New England sometime on Friday and continue into Saturday.

    The storm will bring heavy snow and blizzard conditions to those areas, and temperatures could drop to 10 or 20 degrees below average. Snowfall rates of up to two to three inches per hour are predicted for some areas of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Wind gusts of up to 60 or 75 miles per hour could also present an additional headache for the transportation and power industries.

    A statement from the National Weather Service in Massachusetts read: “A potential historic winter storm and Blizzrd is expected to drop 1 to 2 feet of snow across much of the region Friday into Saturday.” Winter storm watches are in effect through Saturday afternoon for much of the Northeast.

    In Boston the winter storm watch has been upgraded to a blizzard watch, meaning whiteout conditions are possible. A blizzard watch has also been issued for some parts of New York, though the city is still under a winter storm watch. Six to ten inches of snow are expected in the city along with “a trace of ice” and temperatures in the lower 30s.

  • Check Out This Beautiful Compilation of Wintry Weather Fails

    Ah, winter. You so cray.

    Personally, I love winter. Everything is dead. No mosquitos, limited allergies, and obviously, it’s not so damn hot. Plus, holidays and the Super Bowl. What’s not to love?

    But I understand that winter weather (ice and snow) can be a real nuisance sometimes. Even dangerous. And YouTube is very good for browsing these moments of panic, terror, and hilarity.

    What appears below is a beautiful tribute to people who try, but fail to function in wintry conditions. Don’t laugh, though – winter isn’t over. There are still plenty of opportunities for you to fall on your ass or slide your car into a telephone pole.

    [The Poke]

  • Awesome Timelapse Shows Construction of Backyard Ice Rink

    This is a timelapse video of a man constructing a giant backyard ice rink. So yeah, you want to watch it. Prepare to be jealous.

    “More than 28,000 individual photos combine to follow the construction of the ultimate backyard ice rink located outside Chicago, Illinois. Five days of labor, 15,000 gallons of water and sub-freezing temperatures,” says uploader Four Winds.

    The redditor who posted the link says that it’s their friend and he does it every year for his brother and sister. If that’s the case, then this guy is probably the coolest sibling/uncle ever. Conversely, my friends suck. And my childhood sucked. Damn.

    [Four Winds via reddit]