The news folks like to talk about snow in Syracuse, N.Y.
How much are we going to get?
How much have we gotten?
How much of this have I heard since I moved here in August of 1983?
Plenty.
After all, Syracuse is the snowiest top 100 population city in the United States.
And so when the Lake Effect Machine that gives us so much off Ontario was set to crank up yesterday, the TV and radio gang got going good. After all, this has been our winter of green.
Expect the winter storm to hit the city and its environs from 7 to 7, they said.
When my shift at the store ended at 3 p.m., it already was snowing but not sticking in the suburb 15 miles northwest. When my dear wife arrived safely at 6 p.m. to the Little Bitty in the city neighborhood of Eastwood from her 3.5-mile drive from the SMG office downtown, the roads already were covered with an inch or so.
I awoke at 7 a.m. to a blanket of, oh, four-plus inches. The snow was still falling. The weather guy on TV was calling for the lake effect band to settle right over Syracuse for the rest of the morning and afternoon, in fact, giving us another foot of white stuff.
The good news: I’m working the closing shift today, reporting at 3:30 p.m.
Hover over either gallery photo for a description. Click on either photo for an enlarged slide show.
I had plenty of time to clear both our cars and dig the whole driveway out before Karen had to depart to arrive at SMG by 9 a.m.
The bad news: That weather report will likely call for another shoveling session before I depart. The lake effect snow during my 15-mile drive there in my Chevy Cruze will influence me to avoid my usual highway route, which is wide open and famous for its blinding, blowing conditions during that sort of weather. So far this winter, it’s snowed hard once during my drive, a return trip after closing one night, and my backup route with traffic lights took twice the usual time. I’ll leave myself at least an hour to be sure. And I’ll fret the rest of this day about my drive during heavy snow conditions even on those roads.
Will I be able to see? Will my all-season radials that the mechanic gave the thumbs-up to for tread after I specifically asked grip the road? Will somebody else spin into me?
That’s why the Syracuse weather folks talk so much about snow.
What conditions worry you the most when driving? How far do you have to drive to work? Do you change the route you take according to conditions, and if so, what are they?
We have no snow! Your’s looks wonderful! ❤️❄️☃️
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I cannot believe that you are snowless in Colorado, Colleen. The world is topsy-turvy this winter. ❤ 🙂
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We had that one blizzard in November and then just a couple inches here and there. I’m not complaining! I hear we get more spring snow❄⛄❄⛄. That works! ❤️😊
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Snow-and-melt is a better routine than snow-and-snow-and-snow-some-more. In my estimation, anyway, Colleen. 🙂 I think you have it very lovely there. ❤
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We are really loving it. Most days are sunny and in the 40’s or 50’s. The storms blow in and are gone again. I kind of like that. ❤
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That sounds very marvelous, as long as you and Ron can stick at home during the blow-through storms, Colleen. 😉
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That’s what we have done. Worked great! ❤️
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sorry the white stuff caught up with you. Safe travelling is my wish going your way.
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I am safe in the Little Bitty on a Friday morning, so far so good, Rachel. Thank you, my friend.
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our delayed winter is arriving here as well, mark. i’m a commuter, so it does figure into my day. i carpool when possible so it’s especially great to share the ride with someone when the conditions are more challenging. i don’t mind snow, just not an ice fan. and of course, always hope for snow day at school! glad you don’t have to travel far to work !
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Ice is bad, Beth, I agree. Blowing snow and bad visibility matches it, in my scary drive book. 😮
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We have snow, maybe 5-7 inches? I dunno, not too much. It froze and so it’s the crunchy sorta how-high-is-it-really? kinda snow, lol! Sadie weighs 40 pounds so we do not get to walk ON the same snows, lol! I can’t complain, I love it.
This hasn’t been bad for me driving, but there have been some sliding accidents around here, mostly into snowbanks, so ‘soft’ impact, and mostly, kids who haven’t driven long, or in snow before.
I have to meander around to avoid a very icy left hand turn. I don’t mind. 🙂
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Keep Bonnie Blue in the center and out of the banks, Joey. Meandering in the snow is pretty good advice, my friend. 🙂
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Mark, in Canada we scoff at all-season tires. In some provinces it is even the law to put snow or ice tires on in the winter and if you’re in an accident and don’t have the proper tires your insurance won’t cover it. Do you guys have snow/ice tires that you can purchase there? Whatever the case, I applaud your taking the longer but safer route. Stay safe my friend! ❤
Diana xo
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We have snow tires, sure, Diana. For a hefty price, of course. Maybe I oughta pay it. Thanks, my friend. ❤
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Yeah, they’re hefty here too Mark.
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Brrr…. Brrrr…. I do not like to drive in the snow. I grew up in the snow belt in Edinboro, Pa. So I know snow. I will change my route if it’s a safer route. I have done that many times.
STAY WARM!
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It is very cold again this morning, Nancy. I had to clear just a dusting of overnight snow from the cars. Brrrrrrr indeed, Arizona-now friend. ❤
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I miss being in school and waking up at like 5 a.m. to listen to the radio in hopes of a snow day 🙂
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That was a rush, wasn’t it, ZP?
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The snow is just beautiful . . . when you don’t have to get out in it 🙂 Here our biggest concern is usually flooding. And I will change my route sometimes to avoid high water areas. But the rare occasions of ice, and even more rarely of snow, are always quite interesting in these parts!!
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Keep away from high waters, Sadie! That would be a nightmare, to stall in rushing floods. Oy! 😮
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I’m still dealing with Post Traumatic Snow Disorder from last year, Mark, so I’m not going to look at your pictures. Thanks for taking the hit.
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I hope you avoid a repeat all winter, Ann.
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Please send some our way. I’ve been waiting for what you have. Oh I cannot wait!!!! Yippee! !!!!!
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It’s all yours, cuz Amy. 🙂
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I worry about sliding MBM, me and the others. I may change my route depending on whether the roads are cleared. But I usually take the same route. Fortunately it’s a short drive. Unfortunately there are gazillion of drivers.
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Please be careful, bad conditions or not, MBC. Now that I know you are dodging a gazillion drivers!
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😉 Thanks for worrying MBM. I’ll do my best. YOU do the same!
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You got more snow than we did in North eastern PA. I suppose Syracuse is farther North after all.
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Yes, and right off Lake Ontario to boot, Lorraine.
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Enjoying your pics of a foreign world. I’ve got my short sleeves on, ready to go for a sunny jog. I’ve never witnessed that much snow, so the white blanket seems dreamy and romantic to me. Also have never seen dirty snow, which must be icky as it melts. I’d be scared to drive in that, since most people are crazy drivers. Good luck!
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Thanks, Kerbey. I just got in from the second bout of shoveling, and will leave in a few minutes for the drive to work. Oy!
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I know in L.A. there is a picture of constantly perfect weather but, the truth is, when it rains, it pours. Like torrential blinding rain and the city just isn’t equipped to handle it. My commute is about 13 miles (25 min on the freeway) and sometimes I feel like I risk my life to get here. I know what you mean. Good luck!
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I fretted on the Freeway when I visited LA with my dear wife Karen, Marissa. Six lanes wide! I don’t envy you that in blinding rain. You be careful, my friend.
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Yes, well, the difficult thing is that there are a couple of times during my commute when I have to cut across a couple of lanes rather quickly. That’s frightening, rain or not. I appreciate your sympathy.
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Horrible, horrible stuff, Mark. The idea of having to shovel again! Never, never, never, never, never…I sincerely hope never! So beautiful, and the air perfect and wonderful (when the air is still), but that stuff is COLD!
You may remember that I am trying to figure out how to relocate (again), and may have to move where some of that four-letter word occasionally appears. NOOOoooooOOOOooooo!!!!
😮
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Stay in a warm place if at all possible, Babe. You are a smart woman.
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People in the suburbs south of Buffalo have a couple of feet in the last few days – in fact, employees who live in those suburbs did not make it to work yesterday because of the weather. In my northern suburb, however, we still only have an inch or so – the same at my office in the city. However, I understand that the city and northern suburbs are supposed to be hit by a big storm tonight. We’ll just have to wait to see what tomorrow brings.
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Be careful if you get the big one, CM. Please!
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It arrived here last evening…but only an inch or so. It is only beautiful if you have nowhere to be, Mark. Be careful out there. ❄️ ☃️❄️ ☃️
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Yes, good call on the beauty of it all, Van. And thank you. I will take my time. 🙂
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Yes! It’s January…we have snow! The TV weather persons LOVE snow…its the best thing after a major earthquake, or hurricane. I do wish those folks would stay inside though…there is no sense in them standing out there in the freezing rain or falling snow or brick-baking sunshine. My favorite was one in which the crew was standing in a downtown intersection during a blizzard, bragging about how “nothing” could get through: no cars or trucks, no foot traffic. And during the “talk” there was a constant flow of police cars, other vehicles, and miscellaneous cars driving past the person with the microphone. Idiots! I don’t recall exactly if it was Cleveland or if I was in another city at the time. 🙂 Maybe Minneapolis, but they don’t get that giddy and excited over snow there!
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Yes, they must be on location here in Syracuse as well, Gradmama. I don’t envy their travel for the last nightly or first morning newscasts!
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I know…you NewYorkers get more of the snow than we do, and up along the lake as well. Actually I like snow, but I am leery of the ice and of falling…my old brittle bones !
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Yes, I fear the big slip and fall as well, Gradmama. Nobody calls me Grace.
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I didn’t think you look like a Grace. lol…be careful in that snow…I’m trying to stay in the house for a few days.
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Enjoy your indoor days, my friend. 🙂 Safe at home! Makes me think of baseball and spring training six weeks down the road …
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I went to an ice hockey game (8 yr olds) last week…inside but coldddd….. baseball coming up soon and soccer, and he told me he likes La Crosse… which I know absolutely nothing about.
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Wait until you see your first lacrosse game, Gradmama. It’s fast. Get ready for a lot of hitting, too. Very big here in Central New York, where it was invented by the Iroquois Confederacy First Nation players before others arrived from across the sea.
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Well…you knew eventually it was coming in with a fury! Eck…Looks pretty from here-no thank you I’ll stay put in sunny Florida and deal with the snowbirds flocking (traffic was crazy this am while grocery shopping!) they’re here and arriving in droves my friend, all the seasonal residents after the Holidays and seasonal Canadians wanting refuge from the winter! Who can blame them?! They do keep Florida’s economy going. Stay snug and safe. PS we have had some heavy rains in the past that you can not see your hand in front of you, it is such an incredible downpour. For me, I find the nearest shopping center or business and pull off until it moves on! LOL safety first. Have a good day Terp! The Gatorette.
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“changing seasons” over, snowbirds? Florida should have a special tax for snowbirds…a “no-snow” comfort tax. just sayin’ 🙂
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BAHAHAHAHAHA…Things will settle down probably by the weekend as they get settled into their winter condo’s etc. Everyone has to eat so stocking up on groceries would be an essential when rolling into town. Just sayin” Ha-to that kind of tax but I believe they are so desperate for our lifestyle they’d pay it!!!!
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you’d think if they could afford to “winter” somewhere else that they could afford to just move. Can’t have it both ways… 🙂
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Well mostly the people I have spoken to have family ties and/or do not want dual citizenship, in Florida they can seasonally do their thing and return to their native land.
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right…but its just the “gloaters” I refer to. Not the Canadians, they have good reasons for just visiting.
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True however, Florida will always have people in and out. Transients, seasonal and full-time students/residents. Because the lay out is flat as a pancake
and on a grid (road systems) most people for cost go to the mainland (inland) off the beach/peninsula. Our local police forces are incredibly in-tuned to who is who believe me. Our beachside home is well protected with electronic gates, alarm systems, 30 foot seawall and this area of the beach is semi-private and no cars allowed. I personally frequent Beachside stores and stay away from the mainland chaos. Everything I or my family needs is right on our barrier Island! If you can afford to you can join in on the fun if not go inland! All are welcomed in Florida if you follow rules and are respectful to its natives/residents. There is peace and harmony.
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🙂 no more comments from me
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HA-lol they are always welcomed here!!!
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I thought I zapped that comment…oops. I just visited your site…nice theme, and LOVE the red shoes! 🙂
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Thank u I’ll be following you my new friend! Cheryl
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Florida makes it reputation on no tax, I’m pretty sure, Gradmama. 😮
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it’s a joke son, as Sen. Claghorn used to say. Love the photo of your street…have the snow plows been down there yet? Most of my family lives in Florida, and most of them were born there…its a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there…haha seriously, if I had the money I’d move to Arizona…Tucson, not Phoenix.
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I have seen the Florida torrential downpour, Gatorette, when my mother lived in Stuart and then Melbourne. Yikes! I am glad to hear you pull over in your car and let it pass for safety. In the snow up here, the worst problem is when the winds come up suddenly in what they call a blow-through. It can go from bare plowed pavement to an icy build-up immediately, clear visibility to a thick white blanket. And that’s in the daylight. At night it’s worse when you hit the blow-through.
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Like black ice?
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That’s a different scary story, Gatorette.
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Oh only heard of it?!
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Oh Mark I wanted extrapolate on taxes in Florida-There is no local or State Taxes on Income for residents. However, we pay dearly on Real Estate Property Tax, sales tax on everything! Gatorette
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Yes, they must make up for it in these other taxes of which you speak, Gatorette. Of course they do.
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Mark- same thing here………
( I could do without this chaos this year..hate it…..)
have a great day! 🙂
( inte the snow )
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Anna, suffer we must, in Stockholm and Sweden. ❤ 😉
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🙂
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