The Freeze

[Moonshot_1]

At what temp does throwing water in the air to make snow work?

To TRULY freeze it would need to be -42, but the thing you're likely referring to is if you throw boiling water into the air at -14 or below it will  basically turn into steam..

https://www.newsweek.com/cold-weather-throwing-boiling-water-air-burns-1768806

Ski slopes where we used to live [ NYS] could make snow above 32F to close to 40F. I guess it has to do with dew point, humidity and 'wet-bulb temp'.

See you are in Largo Florida. The wife and I come down and stay at a Mom and Pop hotel on Indian Rocks beach usually in May.

Want to be there now.

[..]

Had to go check pipes and dripping faucets in the house next door.

All well. I turned the oil radiators up a little ready for the -4 tonight. Yes -4.

Balaclava, heavy bike jacket, heavy gloves, sweatpants and thermal long johns. Toasty until I came out of the house with the balaclava pulled up to my forehead and the wind got me face and forehead.  

Coooooolllllddddddd.

Put some ice melt on our wooden footbridge. Only place that had any slippy stuff.

[Patrick]

At what temp does throwing water in the air to make snow work?

To TRULY freeze it would need to be -42, but the thing you're likely referring to is if you throw boiling water into the air at -14 or below it will  basically turn into steam..

https://www.newsweek.com/cold-weather-throwing-boiling-water-air-burns-1768806

Ski slopes where we used to live [ NYS] could make snow above 32F to close to 40F. I guess it has to do with dew point, humidity and 'wet-bulb temp'.

See you are in Largo Florida. The wife and I come down and stay at a Mom and Pop hotel on Indian Rocks beach usually in May.

Want to be there now.

We can throw a stone to Indian Rocks. I like the area and glad to be here now.

[The emperor has no clothes]

-32C with -44 windchill this morning....last few days it's been below -50 with the windchill. So this ain't bad.

This was me in November during hunting season...



It's all good...we need to get the fishing shack out and now the ice is thick enough to drive on  

Hope all my southern friends with houses and plumbing and roads and infrastructure (and bodies) that aren't built for this are getting by ok.

I sure don't miss that. Any pics of some harvested deer ? Merry Christmas Jason 

Same to you. And yes of course I have pics. I know we have lots of hunters on the board but I don't know if I'll offend anyone by posting dead animals on here. Will PM you 

Thanks for the pics. Very impressive ! (I guess dead animals are offensive to some) 

[..]

Cold enough last night to freeze the water somewhere along the delivery system even though all faucets in the house had a steady trickle.

Ice from the freezer is out slowly melting and we have decided who gets which bathroom 

I had 2 gallons of water and some bottles in the fridge so we should be good today until it watms up a little tomorrow and I'll go buy some more.

[..]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11570987/America-braces-coldest-Christmas-Eve-Bomb-cyclone-set-bring-record-low-temperatures.html

[Rams]

Power went out last night at some point, we were snuggled up under several blankets and did not realize it until I got out from under them about 4:30 AM.

Obviously, it's back on now.      Did my best to keep my 3-month-old grandson warm, both of his parents are at work.  What I can tell you, he's not fond of cold breast milk out of the fridge.  But, by using our body heat, we were able to warm it up enough to be acceptable to him.
Just so ya know, warming up that breast milk was not a very pleasurable experience...  

Edited so as to not be mis-interpreted.

Rams

[Patrick]

33F right now, no sign of frost. But, they say coldest X-mas since '95.

[Patrick]

Cold enough last night to freeze the water somewhere along the delivery system even though all faucets in the house had a steady trickle.

Ice from the freezer is out slowly melting and we have decided who gets which bathroom 

I had 2 gallons of water and some bottles in the fridge so we should be good today until it watms up a little tomorrow and I'll go buy some more.

Ouch !   Were you able to find the plug and maybe get at it to thaw it ? If not, hopefully it'll thaw soon without an issue.  This has been a heck of a cold blast.

[hubcapsc]

It got 7 here last night  ...

I won't declare victory until the outside temp goes up and I have inspected
under the house, but I still have water. I trickled at the kitchen sink, that
mixer valve lets me trickle both hot and cold at the same time. I opened
the doors under the sink and have an oil filled radiator sitting right there
and another one in the entryway between the kitchen and the bathroom.
The bathroom floor is heated. I hope everything is OK here, and that
Britman's service pipe thaws and starts working again...

I went and broke the ice out of the horse troughs around 9:00 pm last night
and threw out some hay. I could barely break the ice on the troughs this
morning, had to get it started by beating on it with a big rock.

The temperature here is supposed to go to 32 by 3:00 and to 41 tomorrow.
Only down to 21 tonight...

Good luck everyone!

-Mike

[scooperhsd]

6F this morning, supposed to get warmer until Wed /  Thur we will be up to / over 50F. HEAT WAVE !!!!

[Rams]

6F this morning, supposed to get warmer until Wed /  Thur we will be up to / over 50F. HEAT WAVE !!!!

Knowing I have some wonderful friends up north, gonna ask you folks to shut that door letting all that cold air move south.   I know you folks like it cool but, I have personal limits and currently, those limits are being exceeded. 

So, close the gates, shut the doors and close that northern border!!   

Rams

[Jess from VA]

The 8 degrees last night reminded me why I left my Michigan island paradise.

[old2soon]

    13 right now. Sposed to hit 24 today and maybe bust freezin by monday. We shall see. Gonna go to Candle Light Service at the Church I attend later tonight.  RIDE SAFE.

[carolinarider09]

Enjoy the service and "Ride Safe" sir.    Merry Christmas. 

[..]

Creek in the front yard.

[f6gal]

Got this in an email from my homeowner insurance provider.   Good advice contained therein.

Dear Rams,

We are aware of the winter weather impacting many of our members across the country. Thank you for trusting us with your insurance needs. We are here for you with tips and advice to help you prepare your property and vehicle.

Make Sure Your Home Is Ready

Here are some precautions to consider:

· Wrap exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or 2 inches of Underwriters Laboratories (UL)-listed heat tape.

· Caulk cracks and holes in the home's outer walls and foundation. Holes left by cable installation can also leave pipes exposed.

· Clear rain gutters, repair roof leaks, check your roof to make sure it can handle the extra weight of the snow and ice, and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or neighboring structure.

· Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups.

· Consider buying alternative heating resources. All heaters that run on fuel (natural gas, kerosene, butane, oil) should be vented.

Make Sure Your Vehicle Is Ready

Consider the following to stay safe in a winter storm:

· Stay off the roads if possible. If trapped in your car, stay inside.

· Create an emergency supply kit for your vehicle. Include matches, a windshield scraper, jumper cables, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water, non-perishable snacks, and a bright cloth to tie to the antenna.

· Store a small broom and a small sack of sand in your vehicle for generating traction under wheels and a set of tire chains or traction mats.

Tools to Help You Prepare

Visit our winter storm advice page for additional tools, checklists, and advice to stay safe during a winter storm. Should you need to file a claim, you can do so online. As always, we stand ready to serve you. Stay safe.

Thank you

United Services Automobile Association

Edited:  Just remembered how we handled extreme cold when I was a kid, left any cabinet doors open if, there was a water pipe in that area.   

Your insurance company refers to you as Rams? 

[Rams]

Your insurance company refers to you as Rams? 

All my friends call me Rams. 

Rams

[f6gal]

Your insurance company refers to you as Rams? 

All my friends call me Rams. 

Rams

I know you're curious... it's a frigid 70° here. 

[Rams]

I know you're curious... it's a frigid 70° here. 

You must be very talented to be able to post from your bike while you ride.

You are riding when it's 70° F aren't you?

Rams

[Willow]

Power went out last night at some point, we were snuggled up under several blankets and did not realize it ... 

There are certain words you should avoid.  The term, snuggled, can cause some confusion or misinterpretation on this board.   

[Rams]

Power went out last night at some point, we were snuggled up under several blankets and did not realize it ... 

There are certain words you should avoid.  The term, snuggled, can cause some confusion or misinterpretation on this board.   

Understood. While I hadn't considered what you're saying prior to typing that message, the message has been edited but, one can interpret things in a disparaging way anytime they wish and that does happen frequently.   

Had there been any snuggling (as mis-interpreted), that would not have been mentioned.   Although well past that time of life for myself, such weather as we have been experiencing has been blamed on for a higher birth rate later on.     

Rams   

[0leman]

Hopefully this fines the most of you folks warm and enjoying Christmas.

We are enjoying a rather balmy 35 degrees temps at 9 in the morning heading to lower 40's.   But have had fog for the last few days.   Dense fog like quarter mile of less visibly fog.  Not unusual fog, but not one that we enjoy.

Our temps have been a bit above normal for this time of year.   WE are on the backside of the cold air bubble that most of the country is enjoying.  We had our cold weather, at least for a while.

[Robert]

Hmmm, 65F and calm right now, same for tomorrow. Thats cold enough ! 

But, possible frost Sunday.

Nobody likes a show off...ooh look at us we're so warm.

[..]

Slowly growing

[cookiedough]

had a butt pucker moment Saturday around 10 a.m. from Tomah WI to Eau Claire WI about 80 miles or so the right lane on I-90 was BLACK ICE the ENTIRE way heading north.  Left lane was fine NO black ice for the most part.  Saw about 50 vehicles off I-90 in ditches, some pretty severe crashes as well.  

Made it mostly all in left clearer lane luckily traffic was moving along around 60-65 mph the whole way so not too slow going.    I had my truck in 2wd until I got over on right lane to pass a slower vehicle on left lane and butt pucker rear of truck sliding sideways doing about 65 mph on that BLACK ice.  Luckily,  truck straightened out ASAP and was fine, but after that put 2 hands on the steering wheel and put the darn truck in 4wd entire way on dry pavement 'just in case' on left lane ONLY.  Been driving for  years and can never remember the ENTIRE right lane of an interstate ONLY the right lane (not left lane) in the tire track areas ONLY be covered with BLACK ICE for so long ( at least 80 miles or so long).

Well, on way home today visiting kids about same area heading south I-90 had a VERY close call.  Chevy colorado doing 80 mph and me 78 mph  he came up on me and decided to step on the gas just a tad bit too much on a bridge and did a SEVERE rear wheel skid sideways coming into my lane just in front of me.  I locked up the truck brakes ASAP and if he was literally 3-4 more inches sideways he woulda flipped that truck right in front of me rolling over at least 10x's doing 80 mph. His truck got off the right lane BLACK ICE just in time to straighten up the rear of the truck and I swear I saw the left rear tire leave the pavement when straightened out ASAP nearly flipping it over going from left to quickly to the right straightening out ASAP.

Just glad I did not see that right in front of me but was very close call from carnage..  Glad Christmas visiting is over with for me...

[hueco]

Well....the cold front is gonna hit the Houston area tomorrow night.   Supposed to get down to around 11 degrees where i live in Tomball Tx with strong winds that will drop the "feels like" temps into the single digits.  For you northern folks that is not a biggie.   For us southern folks it is.  I read somewhere that in recorded history this will only be the 6th yime our area has had teens temps in December.   I just installed a 24 kw generac generator so when the power goes out....and it will most likely....if all works as planned....we should be able to have power.   This crutial as we have a water well.   Gonna be a plumbing work boom when this over from all the local busted pipes.   My plan....since I should have power....is to wrap and drip and cover all outside faucets and put a space heater in the attic.    Wont be long niw before it hits tomorrow eve.   Wish us luck.

We are in Waco. I turned off the water and drained the pipes. Drew up plenty of water before hand. Take precautions. My grandma would turn off the water and drain pipes when it got to freezing (.32). We lived in the country and had a well for water. Praying people came out the worse for wear.

[cookiedough]

i guess in TX and Florida/Arizona you guys do not have furnaces/heat correct?  Yah,  if gets to freezing or near freezing temps pipes can freeze up and burst.   Last winter my daughter in Eau Claire had an open line going into the unheated attached garage from what I think also goes outside to the garden hose into the garage to the faucet/sink also in the garage.  IN say -10 degree temps at night the PIPE burst inside the wall behind the garage sink and they ended up waking up to about 3 inches of standing water (and growing) in their entire basement being flooded.   They shut off waterline in basement and called for HELP to clean up the mess.  They submitted an insurance claim having to pay a 500 deductible first but got a check for what I think 5K to fix up their basement which is still not done 1 year later, a total mess down there with ripped up sheetrock/carpet/baseboards, etc.  

I pretty much stayed out of the whole ordeal since not my house but her fiance (and my daughter) outta know how the HUGE garage heater works which came with the house they bought near 2 years ago now,  or find out how it runs since Eau Claire WI is one of the coldest places in WI to live.   The house was built in the 50's and has no normal gas furnace for heat, but rather hot water piping system which clanks and clinks in the basement of which I know nothing about on how it operates.  Is a series of pipes all over the wall system in the basement never seen such a system.

[Jess from VA]

Walked for an hour today in the 20s.  It's not too bad with some gear on, in the sun, and the wind ain't blowin' to freeze my face off.   

[..]

Walked for an hour today in the 20s.  It's not too bad with some gear on, in the sun, and the wind ain't blowin' to freeze my face off.   

Yep, it's the wind that gets me.

Took Joey for a walk and it's a balmy 25F.

[Serk]

Broke out my leather jacket and took a ride on the 'Wing today with Serk Jr. Was good to get some wind! Was mid 50's and blue skies, still colder than I prefer but, it was needed!

Today marks the 7th anniversary of a BAD tornado ripped through our town, dropped by the memorial...





The mother in law recently moved from South Carolina to be closer to us (And closer to someone that would come help her when she falls, and closer to medical help, etc. etc. etc.). She finally got Internet at her apartment, so dropped by there and helped her hook that up...

Then met my dad for Burger King.

They say we'll be under another polar vortex thingy mid to late January. Ugh... Is it Spring yet already???

[Rams]

Is it Spring yet already???

Just got back to Southern Mississippi from a trip to NE Kansas, then to SE Kansas and on to near Memphis, TN to spend Christmas with my son and his family.   Saw temps in the negative almost every night, I don't believe it ever got above freezing.  Except for the possible emergency, I may never return to KS this time of year.   

It's supposed to get up to 70F this week, I'll be getting some wind therapy, I assure you.

Rams

[scooperhsd]

I did NOT need to hear that we will be under another polar vortex in mid-late January !!

It's supposed to get to 50's maybe low 60's by this weekend - enjoy it while it lasts. I need to figure out why my battery tender isn't working right now, but not wanting to work in the garage when it's in the 20's in there...

[0leman]

We had our winter first part of December, maybe near 20" of white stuff.  Plus, over two weeks of cold weather.  Now it is raining.  Last night we had over an inch of rain.  This is the part of OR where a quarter inch rain is a major event.   Lots of water everywhere.   Also, the temps are in the 40's when I got up. 

Now if the rains will stop, I can get rid of my PMS.

[..]

Warmer today and we have running water again.

Dish washer and washing machine are busy and it's going to be so nice to have a shower. 

Still ice in the shaded areas of the creek.

[hubcapsc]

Me and the dog went on the walk in the woods today for the first time since
"the freeze"... there's a place on a feeder creek where some
beavers build three dams a few years ago. That creek drys
up, the beavers are long gone. But the creek has been flowing
again and the space between the dams filled all the way up.

During the freeze those places froze... thick... they're still frozen
hard. No handy rocks to throw, but the branches I threw just
bounced. It is 53 today.

-Mike

[Serk]

Heh.... My A/C just kicked on...

[carolinarider09]

Heh.... My A/C just kicked on...

Must be high humidity in the home.   

[carolinarider09]

Still ice in the shaded areas of the creek.

And yes, we still have ice in shaded areas and in shaded areas in the creek.  Although our creek is probably not as fast moving as yours.  I always find it interesting to see the water moving under a thin cap of ice on the creek.   

Bucket full of rainwater out front is still iced over.  Zoe, our dog does enjoy licking the iceberg. 

[f6john]

My hvac cut off the first time in a week. Got my electric bill today. Up $130.00 over the previous month. Next bill could be a real zinger too.