Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Arctic Blast

 

This morning the wind chill factor is -16°. Not real cold compared to other places but cold enough for Banner, the dog, to be uncomfortable.  East on the High Plains it is maybe 20° colder.

With his winter coat this morning he was happy to run around.

My parents had a very small ranch outside of Steamboat Springs, CO. We had a recording thermometer that went to -50°. More than once we saw it stuck on the bottom.

Maybell, CO, about 70 miles NNW of Steamboat, holds the state record of -61°.

You know it is cold when you drive five miles before your tires warm up enough for the flat spots to go away.

Modern engines seem to start easier than the older carburetor models. Block heaters and starting fluid was part of life.

Walking four miles home after wrestling practice no matter the weather or temperature was just what I did along with chores.


17 comments:

drjim said...

Got down to -3 here last night, and hasn't been above degrees all day.

And it just started snowing again. Had about 1/2" on the ground this morning, and they're forecasting another 1~3" today and tonight.

Just talked to my buddies on the Iowa, and they're expecting 50* weather the next few days, and griping about how "cold" it is!!

Well Seasoned Fool said...

I've put my part time work on hold. No need to risk illness for a few dollars.

drjim said...

Our evening plans consist of loading up the fireplace, and watching the old John Wayne movie "Island In The Sky", about the C-47 cargo plane that gets forced down in Northern Labrador.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

A sound plan indeed.

Ami said...

The boy needs boots. And maybe a little hat.
I am grateful for electric blankets, warm coats, heater in the car and that it's nearly March and will warm soon. It's cold here, too, although not quite as cold as your weather, which you can keep, thankyouverymuch.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Ami
He has boots but won't wear them. Hat? Good idea.

LL said...

If Banner was in Ottawa, the provincial police would have a much more difficult time rounding up the truckers. People underestimate him because of his charm.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Maybe, but he is easily bribed with treats.

Old NFO said...

High of 20 here today, and sleet, freezing rain, snow. Streets are now a skating rink! And my butt is staying inside. I don't NEED anything outside that badly.

drjim said...

It didn't get above 10 here today, but the wind was calm. Got the driveway and sidewalks blown off in about 20 minutes. NWS says 90% chance of more snow tonight, with 2~3" here, but I don't see that much on the radar.

Oh, well, a lot can change here in 12 hours, and we're gassed-up and ready to go...

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Old NFO
I'll take the cold over freezing sleet.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

DRJIM
Looks like the weather will ease by this weekend. I hope so as I've several new assignments. Three are in Nebraska.

Sisty said...

I spent over 16 hrs on a truck wreck in Central Wyoming near Rawlins. The conditions driving to the wreck weren't bad, except for ground blizzards and intermittent icy roads. Par for the course in that area. Did spend several hours 8 hours at the tow yard inside, with a wood barrel heater going full blast, because I 80 was closed from Rawlins east to Cheyenne. When it reopened, I was the only vehicle going EB until I got to Laramie. Another interesting day in the life of an insurance adjuster. Every one in the wreck was uninjured which is always the best outcome.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Family tradition. Make a commitment, keep a commitment. When work calls, we go!

drjim said...

The heaviest rain I've EVER seen in 70 years on the planet was on I-80 near Rawlins. The rain was blowing sideways, we could barely see past the end of the hood, my Mom was freaking out in the back seat, and my Dad and I were marveling at Mother Nature's fury.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

DRJIM
It can get real dangerous real fast on the North side of the Elk Mountain range.

In your area the summer monsoons can stall and fill the slot canyons. Undoubtedly your relatives have warned you.

LSP said...

Brrrr.