First Snowfall 2017

We had our first snow of the season this weekend.  It was a bit of a surprise for many people.  Although it is not unusual for us to have some flurries by now, we don't generally have heavy snow this early. 

At first the weather forecast was only calling for two inches (5.08 cm.).  That was not getting a lot of attention from people.  Then, by late afternoon, the forecast changed and started calling for 8 to 12 inches (20.32 to 30.48 cm.)  That probably caused a stampede at the grocery store.  When the word snow is uttered, people rush to the grocery store and wipe out the milk and bread.  I did not go to the store as I had been shopping earlier in the week and was well stocked with food. 

There was a good deal of concern about power outages.  Many trees still had leaves on them.  The heavy wet snow could bring down branches on the power line.  There were thousands of people without power, but this time our neighborhood was spared.  Our neighborhood was once referred to by some power company employees as a "frequent flier" when it came to having power outages.  This is due to our neighborhood being ringed by lots of Poplar trees.  These trees grow tall, but are very rigid.  When there is a high wind they tend to snap in half.  However, there was almost no wind with this storm, just snow.  Other than an occasional downed branch here and there our neighborhood was pretty much intact. 

Yesterday, my husband and I went for a walk around the neighborhood.  We enjoy looking at the beauty of the trees all covered with snow.  We encountered only two people while we were out.  A teenage girl was busy rolling snow to make a snowman.  The second was the UPS delivery man.  Incongruously, he was wearing a medium weight jacket, and shorts.  He gave us a beep and a wave as he drove down the street.  I guess he was recognizing us because we seemed to be enjoying the shared sentiment of being outdoors in the snow.

Later in the day, my husband went outside and cleared the snow off the automobile windows and roods.  By afternoon it was snowing again.  I guess we might have received another inch or so.  Overall, we received eight or nine inches here.  Due to the temperature remaining slightly above freezing, the streets and sidewalks remained clear.  It was nice not to have to shovel the walkways or dig out the driveway.  I guess we will have to go out again this morning to clear the car windows and roof.  We will be waiting until a little later until it warms up a bit.  It won't get too much warmer, the forecast high today is only for 39 degrees Fahrenheit (3.89 C). 

My husband snapped a few pictures of our backyard.  The trees look so beautiful covered with snow.