BLIZZARD WARNING!!!

2007-02-14 08:41:56.000 – Jim Salge,  Observer

Satellite of the storm…

Shift change came early this morning, with the snow tractor moving from the base at 6AM, however, the adventure had begun even before we got to the base. The drive through Pinkham Notch was slowed, not by slippery roads (as the snow was a very dry powder), but by extremely low visibility through the notch. So little in fact, that 3 of the 4 cars in our chain drove right past the base road.

At the base, we got word that winds at the summit were low, from the south the drifting “wasn’t too bad.” And as such, we made it up the road in just about an hour and a half. The turnaround was quick, and I suspect that the down going crew is going to get ‘stuck’ at Wildcat today.

The storm today just looks impressive. Not having ventured out with the camera yet, I’ve attached the satellite image to reference the word ‘impressive.’ Winds will slowly increase this morning, but by the time snow has really covered the ground this afternoon, a strong low-level jet will pick it up and push it around, hopefully drifting in between the barren rocks still showing around the summit. And after a lull in the winds tonight, tomorrow all the same snow will blow back the other way.

It’s nice for some snow to finally arrive after this brutal yet dull cold snap. A blizzard is just what we were asking for, and what we desperately needed.

Jim Salge,  Observer