Was just in North Eastern KS for some business and then down to South Eastern KS to visit relatives, Intended to stay a few days, saw that artic front moving south on the weather map with predictions of below zero temps and a few inches of the "S" word and decided it was time to head south.
I don't have to deal with temps that low and can't stand that "S" word stuff. Most folks think they know how to drive in snowy conditions, I don't agree. People with AWD and 4 WD vehicles tend to drive way too fast on slick roads. I hate to have to say this but AWD and 4WD may go better in those conditions but, they don't stop any better folks.
While the water lines up north are buried below the frost line, in some cases feet versus inches below the surface, where I live in Mississippi, the water lines for my home were only about 3 inches below the grass. That may not be below the frost line for the weather predicted this week. When I had my home renovated, the new water lines were buried as deep as the trencher would go but, those lines feeding my home may be in trouble. I guess we'll see.
Folks, stay warm and safe during this week and only travel when absolutely necessary if you're in the areas this artic front is closing in on. Have you checked the antifreeze in your vehicles lately? Personally, I'm blaming our open border policy on this.
Rams
Oh and BTW, have a Merry Christmas.
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 12-22-2022).]
Currently 21F here and dropping with a brisk N wind, gusts up to 40mph, headed for a low of 13 tonight. temps won't get above freezing until Saturday. 1% chance of snow tomorrow night. Dog and cat get to sleep in the garage the next couple of nights..
Currently 21F here and dropping with a brisk N wind, gusts up to 40mph, headed for a low of 13 tonight. temps won't get above freezing until Saturday. 1% chance of snow tomorrow night.
It's funny how although Copperas Cove TX is over 2000 miles south-east of Vancouver BC, the temperatures there are paralleling ours here. It's currently 21°F locally, and it was 13°F last night. Tonight we're expecting to get a big dump of snow to add to the over 12 inches of the stuff we already have. It's forecast to warm up this Saturday, with wind, freezing rain, and then lots of regular rain expected. I predict more than a few snapped tree branches!
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Originally posted by maryjane:
Dog and cat get to sleep in the garage the next couple of nights.
Heh heh, I have an outdoor cat as well... but I've relented the past few nights during this cold snap, and let her sleep indoors. Unlike last year however (when we also had a cold snap), I'm prepared this time with a kitty litter box. Don't ask me what happened last year.
Got this from my home insurance provider, all good advice.
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.
If your unsure of your pipes just run a thin stream out of your furthest faucet away from your homes incoming water supply . You can also leave your cabinets open to allow extra heat on the pipes . Us southerners don't have to deal with this often so our homes are not set up for extreme cold .
If your unsure of your pipes just run a thin stream out of your furthest faucet away from your homes incoming water supply . You can also leave your cabinets open to allow extra heat on the pipes . Us southerners don't have to deal with this often so our homes are not set up for extreme cold .
This will not always work unless a home's supply plumbing is set up all in series.
This is the 2nd consecutive winter that I have seen single digit temps. No snow or ice this time but it is now 9 deg F here, which is 4 deg colder than was forecast.
Yes, it is more than a little nipply. The term Bomb Cyclone does nothing for me to describe this weather event. It could be used on any weather event and be just as useless.
Everything I own with a motor is parked inside (with the exception of the Kubota tractor). It would be also but, the wife wasn't in a mood to let me put a new garage door entry through the kitchen. They won't move until it warms back up. That's all I have to say on the subject.
Okay. So last night went down to ~16F, here. At 6:40 PM, Friday, it's already that cold. Weather dotcom is predicting 9-10F, tonight. I wouldn't be surprised if it got colder than that. Nearly all of our faucets are dribbling. We didn't have any trouble last night, although we did have to break up the ice (at least 1/2 inch) on all the animals' watering pans/buckets/troughs, a time or two today. Really not as bad as I expected, other than freezing our azzes off, doing it. (Still windy AF.) The animals (16 sheep, and one cow and calf) seem to be okay. I think they are better at survival than we give them credit for. Or at least better than we are. The sheep were pizzed, because all they had to eat this morning was hay. (They get grain in the evenings.) Karens... all of them. Tammy fixed a big crock pot of "light your azz up" chili. Working on that now.
Y'all stay safe. Frostbite and hypothermia are "for real". This is as cold as I've seen it in quite a while. And last time we didn't have critters.
Saw this on FB, posted by one of our friends. He's offering an opportunity to learn a new skill, make extra (tax free) money and be your own boss.
Here's Mike Mohr's ad:
FREE SNOW SHOVELING CLASS: Today and tomorrow. I will be conducting a FREE snow shoveling class in front of my house. Come and join the class and learn about the proper ways to shovel. Reviewed techniques will include 1) the scoop and throw method, 2) the down and push method (AKA the plow technique), as well as 3) the upside-down scraping technique. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to enhance your snow-shoveling techniques without throwing your back out! I WILL PROVIDE THE DRIVEWAY to ensure your training is conducted in the most life-like situation, I only ask that you bring your own shovel. First-come, first-served - class size limited. Earn extra income and set your own hours with the new skills you learn!
Being the age and experienced person I am, I will also offer a similar opportunity at my son's home in TN where I'm currently staying for the holidays. Contact me directly for the address if interested in a real learning experience.
Rams
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 12-23-2022).]
(in my best Snidely Whiplash voice): I am holding the weather for ransom. If you ever want to see the blue sky again, deliver six weeks of unmarked snowflakes to Glendale, Arizona starting on July 5, 2023.
Tony, I already posted that link above... Here, but thanks.
After I shoveled all my sidewalks today (corner lot!), I took a quick shot of my Formula and Subie sitting on the side-street feeling sorry for themselves. The warming trend has now started though. As of 5 PM local time, it's 2°C/36°F.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 12-24-2022).]
As a bonus, my training will include a weight loss program, an exercise program, and I ensure you a good night's sleep.
Those would be unadvertised benefits to my own program. The reason they aren't advertised is, I don't want anyone complaining about sore muscles and backs. Proper technique requires less effort (on my part).
it finally got up to 25 F here late this afternoon and the horredous wind has died down. Sun is down, clear skies and it is now 22F. The pool pump is set to run continuously even tho I wrapped the pump, the multi valve and every bit of it's plumbing very good. I had to empty the 2 skimmer baskets out of leaves early today, a bit of water dripped on the concrete and it froze instantly. Had someone come out 3 days ago and winterize the backflo preventer (part of the lawn irrigation system) and do the code required annual inspection while he was here. $85. After he was done, I wrapped it's piping some more and put the insulated sleeve over the whole thing. That pool pump running 24 hrs for several days/nights means my electric bill is going to take a big hit...
By Monday, we will be back in the upper 50s for daytime highs and barely below freezing at night.
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 12-23-2022).]
Today started out nice at the Jersey Shore. 48, but some rain. Wife & I went to run some last errands and the temp drops like a rock. It's currently 14 degrees here, after some light snow this afternoon. Ground was so warm, it didn't stick, or cause trouble driving. But everybody was so surprised, they had the Garden State Parkway actually obeying the speed limit.
The drop in temp caught all the shore folk off guard. Our last stop, at the grocery store, saw many neighbors in a sweat shirt or nothing much heavier. The stiff wind meant nobody was going to stop to chat in the parking lot!
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.
Originally posted by Zeb: The stiff wind meant nobody was going to stop to chat in the parking lot!
Yesterday, I went out at about 6:00 AM. Saw my truck and decided to see if it would start. Ford 7.3 diesel. No. New batteries. Cranked ok, no start.
I could'a have added some anti gel additive to the fuel. Should have. I could have plugged in the block heater.
This is my first diesel, and this problem happen back during our snow maggedon two years ago. I wasn't sure what I should do. Adding anti gel additive to the fuel would not do anything at this point. I did what I should have done and plugged in the block heater.
It did take me three trips outside and then some inside warming. Moving and all I only had a fifty foot extension cord which I keep in my truck.
Lucky for me. I used to work outside, 12 hour shifts in witches tit weather and had the clothing gear.
Yesterday, I went out at about 6:00 AM. Saw my truck and decided to see if it would start. Ford 7.3 diesel. No. New batteries. Cranked ok, no start.
I could'a have added some anti gel additive to the fuel. Should have. I could have plugged in the block heater.
This is my first diesel, and this problem happen back during our snow maggedon two years ago. I wasn't sure what I should do. Adding anti gel additive to the fuel would not do anything at this point. I did what I should have done and plugged in the block heater.
It did take me three trips outside and then some inside warming. Moving and all I only had a fifty foot extension cord which I keep in my truck.
Lucky for me. I used to work outside, 12 hour shifts in witches tit weather and had the clothing gear.
Those of us who drive/work diesel trucks have learned this lesson so, don't feel like the Lone Ranger. Everything with a motor I have (except my Kubota tractor) is parked inside. Most likely won't be riding a Valkyrie for a day or so. Finally got that power back on here near Memphis and the house is toasty warm. I like it that way.
Lots of babies get made when the weather is like this.
It was 45 yesterday AM. By afternoon the defecation hit the rotary oscillator and was -3 overnight with a -28 wind chill. Y'all stay safe and have a great Christmas and a happy New Year.
Looks like the worst is over, here. Made ~40F, today. Going into the med-teens tonight, but it was 9 degrees (or colder) two nights ago. All the animals survived handily, except for one duck that was killed by a predator of some sort. Can't blame that on the cold, however, other than the fact that dogs are frequently outside, and scare off anything that may come around. But not for the past few days, except for short intervals. We haven't had any broken pipes, that I know of. Been dribbling cold and hot water. Tonight we realized that we haven't used the clothes washer for the duration. Hope all of that plumbing is okay.
I posted earlier about pool maintenance/winterizing. We decided to close and winterize our swimming pool. Probably a good thing, in retrospect. Money well spent. We also have an above ground dog training pool (Google "dock diving") - that we were going to leave open, and just run the pumps if it was threatening to freeze. When we heard about temps in the teens, we decided to close it, too, last weekend. Drained both pumps and sand filters, disconnected and purged all the hoses (A shop vac with the hose plugged into the "blow" port works wonderfully.) and capped off all the fittings. There are ball valves near the bottom, where the skimmer hoses connect. We put insulating socks over those. So far so good. <knocks on wood>
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 12-25-2022).]
We haven't had any broken pipes, that I know of. Been dribbling cold and hot water.
A lot of water going down the drains where I'm at, (slightly north and east of Memphis, TN). But it hasn't seemed to help some. I know of three homes with busted water pipes, two of them the break was in the attics. Obviously, those homes are going to need so major repairs. My understanding is that all customers of Memphis Light, Water and Gas are under a boil water adversary now. A lot of the public water lines are busting. Calling for more of that white crap tonight and tomorrow but after that it's supposed to be warming up some. Rolling black outs due to folks using so much power is what I was told. Not power lines going down.
Doesn't matter at this point, I'm headed South tomorrow come hell, high water or snow. Ice could change my mind. Too many folks think they know how to drive on snowy and icy roads (especially those in the 4WD vehicles) and drive like the roads are dry. Yep, 4WD will normally go better in bad/slick conditions but, they don't stop any better and those folks are normally driving way too fast for the conditions. Frigg'n idiots! Oh, did I say (type) that out loud.....................
Rams
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 12-25-2022).]
A lot of water going down the drains where I'm at, (slightly north and east of Memphis, TN). But it hasn't seemed to help some. I know of three homes with busted water pipes, two of them the break was in the attics. Obviously, those homes are going to need so major repairs. My understanding is that all customers of Memphis Light, Water and Gas are under a boil water adversary now. A lot of the public water lines are busting. Calling for more of that white crap tonight and tomorrow but after that it's supposed to be warming up some. Rolling black outs due to folks using so much power is what I was told. Not power lines going down.
Doesn't matter at this point, I'm headed South tomorrow come hell, high water or snow. Ice could change my mind. Too many folks think they know how to drive on snowy and icy roads (especially those in the 4WD vehicles) and drive like the roads are dry. Yep, 4WD will normally go better in bad/slick conditions but, they don't stop any better and those folks are normally driving way too fast for the conditions. Frigg'n idiots! Oh, did I say (type) that out loud.....................
Rams
We know some people in that area. Olive Branch MS, to be exact. Sounds like it's been a lot worse there, than here. We've heard of a few people with broken pipes, as well. Travel carefully. And yeah... I refer to 4 wheel drive as 4 wheel slide. 4WD will just get you stuck with conviction. Did I mention... Travel carefully?
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 12-25-2022).]
We know some people in that area. Olive Branch MS, to be exact. Sounds like it's been a lot worse there, than here. We've heard of a few people with broken pipes, as well. Travel carefully. And yeah... I refer to 4 wheel drive as 4 wheel slide. 4WD will just get you stuck [i]with conviction{/i]. Did I mention... Travel carefully?
Steve, There's a reason there are very few Old Bold Pilots, I'm one of the few that figured out that using common sense was a good way to stay alive (along following a few basic laws). I drive the same way/ Thanks. Be safe out there.
Here too, but we just getting started. It's going to 7c and rain by Wed so all that snow will be melting with nowhere to go until the sewer grates get cleared (or clear themselves)
Originally posted by Raydar: ... purged all the hoses (A shop vac with the hose plugged into the "blow" port works wonderfully.
Since we are sharing, ... I have two RVs and too many hoses to purge. At any hardware store you can get pipe fittings which will easily adapt to most plumbing and hoses. At the working end of your purge adapter you can use a typical tire Schraeder 'valve'. Then you can use compressed air. You don't even need high pressure.
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Originally posted by blackrams: My understanding is that all customers of Memphis Light, Water and Gas are under a boil water adversary now. A lot of the public water lines are busting.
My place in Bandera (just west of San Antonio) is under a boil water advisory. We were also notified that water pressure is low due to broken pipes. Power went out also.
We went to my mither-in-laws in extreme NE Texas for Christmas. Left our inside faucets all dripping, everything outside was triple wrapped, including all parts of the backflow preventer, the swimming pool pump, multi-valve and piping and I left the pool pump running with the shutoff thingy removed on the timer. Returned late today to mid 50s temps and found no problems. One more night of upper 20s and it will be back to much warmer temps for the next 10 days as the jet stream now moved farther north and that pulls in warmer air from the southwest for most of Texas.
Mom-in-law's pipes froze under her double wide not-so-mobile home but Jane's brother is living there too and said he could take care of it.
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 12-27-2022).]
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