So far the kids' Christmas vacation has been extended by two days. Words like 'frost quake' and 'polar vortex' have entered the weather conversation. We do love to talk about the weather, and as conditioned as we are to the extremes of winter, the state of affairs these past few days warrant more than a casual mention of wind chills and snow squalls.
It's been COLD, bitter cold. It's been snowy, and windy, and downright wintry. I woke up in the middle of the night one day last week to a loud boom, when the overnight low was well into the -30's, colder still with the wind chill. At the time I had no idea what it was. Turns out if was a frost quake, something I'd never heard of before.
We've been under a blizzard advisory for two days. In all the years that I've lived here, I don't ever recall a blizzard warning. Snow squall warnings are common, given our proximity to the Great Lakes and all the lake-effect snow they create. Wind chill warnings aren't news either. But a full fledged blizzard? Those only happen on the prairies, or the maritimes, or the northern territories... not here. Until this week. All thanks to a pesky polar vortex.
The forecast is for warmer temperatures by this weekend, but we still have a lot of winter ahead of us. Plenty of time for more winter weather conversations. Maybe even a few more snow days. Cabin fever is great incentive to get crafty and make, oh, maybe a solar system or something.
I never heard of a frost quake. What on earth is that? Looks like you got a huge amount of snow. We have blizzards here in NJ, maybe once a winter at most. So far, we've just had a few small snowstorms, but nothing more than 8 inches. I guess the big one is yet to come. We are in single digits here, but nowhere as cold as where you are! Stay warm!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Jenn, yes, the word blizzard is definitely part of my winter vocabulary, living in the Maritimes, lol! As far as the frost quake, I heard my first one, probably 3 weeks ago. Had no idea what it was. Actually, it sounded like someone had jumped onto the roof of our house. Kind of freaked me out for a minute. But then I thought, ah, screw it, with the amount of snow and up there, if it was a burglar, they were going to end up falling off and wiping out anyway, lol! I have since heard several more, including one two evenings ago at supper. My husband looked around, and asked if I heard it. I said yes, and told him what it was. He asked how I knew that, and I said we women, we just know these things...
ReplyDeleteI like snow only in photos nowadays :-) Loving the bright, colourful planets. #MiniCreation
ReplyDeleteI feel like some of these weathermen have waited their whole careers to toss out terms like "frost quake" and "polar vortex."
ReplyDeleteNutty!
And the solar system looks fantastic.
What a fab way to spend the VERY cold spell you guys are experiencing. This looks awesome. Thanks for linking and KidGLloves hopes you all remain warm and safe during your extreme weather #MiniCreations
ReplyDeleteThat's excellent
ReplyDeletewow thats a tremendous sculpture!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful picture of pine tree. Feeling you pain here in MI also! LoL Kids have been off for 3 days … hopefully going back to school tomorrow :-) Joann @EuchreFun
ReplyDeleteThe solar system is just brilliant, very impressive. Beautiful photographs too. Popping over from Mini Creations
ReplyDeleteI see today's forecast is a balmy -11 C --- and I cannot believe that makes me happy. There is probably a wind chill, but I am not going outside to see today. I am tucked in warm bed until I feel better. But the kids are loving filling water guns with hot water and going outside to shoot them into the air. You can't say us Canadians don't know how to have fun in the snow!
ReplyDeleteA few days ago it was −16F. Horrible! Today I am happy because it's +9F. Keep warm!!!!
ReplyDeleteNo matter what the weather, be safe. Just because you are conditioned for winter, doesn't mean that your body is used to it. Beautiful pictures of the weather and the creative solar system. That's a wonderful way to pass the time. Thanks for joining the Thumping Thursday bloghop.
ReplyDeleteThat is some crazy and cold weather. Stay warm! I love, love, love your solar system!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the snow pictures! Surprisingly enough I didn't take any photos of the snow that fell a couple of months ago, but we definitely played in it :)
ReplyDeleteThe snow looks so beautiful in your photos! Stay safe and keep warm.
ReplyDeleteKeik
What is a frost quake? :/ haha today it is raining and plus 6 in Ottawa....no idea what is going on with this weather, but its getting crazy!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of the snow, even if you had to endure bitter cold to have it. Be safe!
ReplyDeleteCold, cold, cold!! The day after tomorrow the forecast here is for well over 100! Crazy.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Thanks for joining Click Chicks Photo challenge. I hope you join us again on Thursday for HEALTH!
ReplyDeleteWow a blizzard! The pictures look beautiful. :-)
ReplyDeleteWow! That is serious snow! I bet you guys know how to cope with it better than us though! Thank you for linking to PoCoLo x
ReplyDeleteWow. You had tons of snow. My son had 3 "snow days" but there wasn't much snow. It was just bitterly cold and I think no one wanted to get out. Visiting from DYWW link-up :)
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