When it gets so cold, and you need energy the most, renewable simply don't work:

 

The ice is not too bad this morning.

 

The damn 1 inch of snow we got yesterday is harder to get around in than many storms with much heavier falls.

First, we got some snow, then some sleet then an overnight hard freeze.

 

 

 

Do chains or studs help?

 

Do chains or studs help?

Yes, they help when it's wet on slick ice but it's still easy to wipeout. I run Michelin X-Ice Snow tires without studs. If conditions demand studs or chains with those tires, I demand to stay at home.

 

Staying at home today.

 

Tonight's really bad with ice and wind. Lost power tens of times with a few of several hours duration each. Managed to keep critical heating power up on the battery banks.

Looked like a blue/green fireworks display for most of the night when the sub-station tripped most of the town.

https://www.koin.com/local/multnoma...line-strikes-occupied-car-gresham-police/amp/

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A powerline that struck an occupied car Thursday night in Troutdale is just one example of the freezing rain making a mess of local roads and causing outages — particularly in East Multnomah County — just as parts of the greater Portland area were starting to thaw out.

 

 

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I truly live in paradise.

 

Powers out but the servers are still running.

 

I truly live in paradise.

Paradise all year long indeed ... except on hurricane season, I'm sure

 

Paradise all year long indeed ... except on hurricane season, I'm sure

You take the bad with the good.

 

You take the bad with the good.

+1

 

From Eugene but we're seeing the same thing here in the ice storm.

 

 

Finally melting and today is going to Vegas day!

 

We just had a cold snap. We went from unseasonal warm to single digit midget for a week or so. We also managed about 14 inches of snow. Now here I sit on the shores of Lake Erie. Lake Erie is the shallowest of the five Great Lakes with the western basin being pretty shallow. When bitter cold comes along the western basin is first to freeze. This is where little ice fishing huts show up first but you want to make sure you have stable thick ice before venturing out on the lake. Depending on lake temperatures it takes time for the lake to cool, especially following warmer than usual winter. The shallowest section of Lake Erie is the western basin where depths average only 25 to 30 feet (7.6 to 9.1 m).

A few says ago, the coast guard had to risk life and limb to collect and save 20 really stupid people who despite endless published warnings venture out onto the ice. The section they were on broke free and many of them had not a clue as next stop Canada was happening. Humorous is if people drive out on the ice and an ice flow starts. The Coast Guard will use a helicopter to pluck you off your iceberg now floating free but good luck on your car or truck. The Coast Guard will not build you a floating bridge.

Every year the lake takes its toll between summer drownings and boating accidents to winter ice flows breaking loose. This despite endless Coast Guard and NOAA warnings. You can't fix stupid.

On the bright side the 14 inches of snow is almost gone. They are calling for 52 F Thursday and right now we are mid 40s. Rain but at least warmer.

Ron

 

Raining with a chance of cheesburgers

kv