Hi terrenne,

I feel your pain. I am also in Metro West (Ayer) and am watching it snow, snow, snow out my window. It's been snowing since 4 am and the car I drove my husband to the train station in this morning, is now covered up AGAIN, in
8 more inches! Sheez. I guess our gardens will be happy with this nice blankey of moist snow but our psyche's are sorely in need of some sun! This storm is supposed to be over at noon, we'll see. No use even shoveling until it's finished! At least we're not in Gardner (they call that town Little Switzerland!)

we are getting enough snow at last. I had to cancel my 2nd week of january condo because there wasn't enough snow to groom trails. No its not all fun and games I have a 1/2 mile driveway and a snow blower with no cab. I put on a snowmobile suit and helmet and pretend that I am breaking trail in deep powder. We now have about 2 1/2 feet on the ground in downeast maine I wish they had that up north 2 weeks ago.

We are enjoying our 2nd snow day here in MetroWest - and I'm in a town that is notorious for never canceling school.

I also don't know where to put this snow. This is my mailbox after the storm last Wednesday. This does not include the snow from Tuesday and today.

Wow Raven, 1/2 mile of driveway!! I usually shovel my driveway which is only about 65 feet long. If we get a ton of snow, then I get some help from a friend with a plow.

Our total today is about 7 inches. Add that to the 3 previous significant storms this month (11 inches, 18 inches, and 6 inches) and you're looking at about 3 1/2 feet of snow that has fallen in the month of January so far. Boy I hope it slows down for February and March.

The plants are now tucked snugly under a blankie of snow alright. Good thing, temps are supposed to go well below zero this weekend!

Add me to the list of "I've had it!!" I'm in western MA, Springfield, but, the descriptions sound the same. No place left to put the snow, and, as soon as one storm finishes, another one is on the radar. The worst is the ice. We had 1/2 inch of ice on top of 5 inches of snow on Tuesday (which was on top of 2 feet of other snow from previous storms) , which has added a whole other dimension to cleaning up and getting around. Our school system has had 4 snow days, all within the past 10 days. Today, another 6 inches fell.

It's pretty, it's good for the gardens, the bitter cold will kill germs (so they say), but, I would heartily welcome a sunny 70-degree day!!

Emily

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we are in DEEP trouble. First, down here on the south coast of Mass, we have gotten off relatively easy so far with the snow. All of the storms have changed to rain so accumulations have not been large or unusual. But what snow has fallen has been very heavy and wet. Last night we had 2 inches of slush before the change to very cold rain. Having said that, it looks like there is a good chance for the biggest storm of the season this Wednesday/Thursday. The models are looking provocative---maybe a few feet of snow in the more inland areas once again and a possible change to rain in SE New England. So brace yourself. Moreover, the long range predictions for the rest of winter is for cold and stormy conditions = SNOW. I posted a link below with the long range forecast......even April might be bad....ugh.

Here is a link that might be useful: Long Range Forecast

Yes, Rockman, the TV weatherman said we've had more snow this January than we usually get the whole season. And that another big storm is due next Wednesday Jan. 26. The extreme cold (down to zero) we'll be getting the next 5 days will be hard on the exposed parts of some shrubs (roses especially) and the new snow is right now starting to freeze onto the car windshields that haven't been cleared, and onto our flat roof. We haven't been to our RI garden & cottage for a month and I hope it's doing OK on its own. At least all our garlic cloves got planted and mulched in time and, I hope, are growing nicely underground.

I'm thinking of just getting into my car and heading to DC, VA, GA or FL for a few days. For plants, maybe the Longwood Gardens big glass conservatory with its orchids. Too bad the Phila. Flower Show isn't till early March - we need it now!

Carol

Yea! I love the snow! That's what happens when you lived your whole life in the south. Husband went to Florida last week for a wedding. He said it was hot, even in January. We love the snow! I would take all of yours and shift it up here if I could. I would certainly love to help you.

We had to shovel a special path to the birdfeeders today. My mood is better with snow and the bright sun reflected off it. When everything, including the ground, is gray my mood is off. If I've got to live in New England and endure cold, I'd rather it be with snow and real cold, not some half-ass gray mucky time.
mt

I shouldn't complain because we've gotten off light. The bulk of snow from the last storm fell nearer coastal NE. But I have a long network of paths to shovel, so the dog and pony can get around, the parts Hubby can't get with the snowblower. Every time we get the snow cleared, more falls. I'm hoping after today's efforts it will stay clear for at least a few days.

The worst trouble are the ice dams along the roof and the resulting runoff into the windows of the computer room. I keep the 4 foot icicles whacked down, but I think we need to invest in a roof rake next year.

That's quite a photo of your buried mailbox, Pixie! Here's hoping the next storm doesn't materialize.

Pixie,
Seeing your mailbox reminded me...
Years ago when I moved to this area that always seems to get the maximum impact of snowy weather (south of Worcester, just into CT), the snow plow took my whole (rural) mailbox with the post, down the road and buried it in the end of the cul de sac! When I called up the DPW to report it, they casually said they would add it to the list of those that they replace in the Spring... "it happens all the time." We ended up getting a PO box in order to get our mail! Hope you can keep your mailbox visible and intact - they said snow showers for Tuesday and snow storm for Wednesday. I think we may need a new shovel before long. My daughter told me she sprays her shovel with PAM and the snow doesn't stick. We are going to give it a try this next go round.
Regards,
Susan

Keeping snow shovels outdoors, on a porch for instance, helps more than anything to keep snow from sticking. Snow shovels and skis both. Snow sticks to warmer objects; I guess it melts a little then freezes hard onto the object.

SCPearson, my mailbox was wiped out by a plow one year too; what's more, I was out shoveling the driveway when it happened and witnessed the event! Immediately went in and called Public works, who came out and replaced the post the next day (bet I pay a lot more in local taxes for such prompt service ;).

More snow coming in...they're saying 6-10 inches. I am totally sick of this weather and feeling a little sick from a cold too, just don't have the energy for more shoveling. :(

Apparently Hartford area has already set a record for the snowiest January, and 2nd snowiest month since records began in 1905 - which will no doubt be smashed with this new storm. I expect other records will be broken too.

Oh where oh where has my mailbox gone???

Here it is - brings new meaning to shoveling out your mailbox!

What a great shot, pixie lou!!

My shrubs are bent over every which way you can imagine. I hope they survive! I have a feeling that I will be doing a lot of trimming come spring time!

javaandjazz - at least you can find your shrubs! My hedge of arbor vitaes is buried! They are opposite the mailbox - in a bank of snow just as high. They are still really young, so every November I put tomato cages around them.

I think there might be another big snow storm on Wednesday! Can the spring floods be far behind?

OMG.....20 more inches in metro west and points north starting tomorrow! And then another one this weekend??? And throw in some freezing rain for good measure. This is shaping up to be some winter.

Not sure how much snow we're going to get. We've been lucky in that respect here in inland NE, but the temperatures! They were saying that last night's and today's predicted high with wind chill was supposed to be -26. Now I see they have ameliorated it to a tropical -9. The warmest day predicted is this coming Sunday when the daytime high is expected to be 27 degrees F.

The snow we do have isn't going anywhere soon, and the ice dams on the roof have a firm hold. I keep whacking down icicles taller than myself. I gave up on removing any Christmas decorations. I may just skip Valentines decorations altogether and stay in xmas mode if the weather keeps this up the week after this. No way I'm hauling a cold metal stepladder out into these snow drifts to take down wreathes and garlands from the lamp posts.

Where's the january thaw???

Oh great! Now they're forecasting between 18" and 30" for our area. So much for our free pass! It's coming from the west so there's no chance of this one heading out to sea... Get out the shovels and snowblowers everyone!

Hello
I think this is a new phase for some of us New Englanders... shoveling the roof! My husband went up on our roof Saturday and the snow was several inches over his knees (he's 6 feet tall). Today the CT news showed a store with incredibly long lines of people buying something called a roof rake to get the snow off without actually getting up on your roof, you rake it down (on you!) The store owner said he normally sells maybe 5 a year but couldn't keep them in stock. He's getting in 500 a day and can't stay ahead. Hope they are made local or at least in U.S. - so someone in our economy can benefit (beside the plow and shovel people). Can you believe my next purchase will be an ice chopper? I have actually taken a hammer to my Mom's steps because the ice is 3-4" thick. A neighbor of hers let me borrow his ice chopper - another item I didn't know existed. It worked pretty well on the driveway ice, but my shoulders are very sore.
Its officially February...Spring will be here soon, right?
Susan

So you think this is a lot of snow... Just a mere 8 years ago, I took this picture... poor thing.. claustrophobic tunnel like...

(bosco's RIP winter bathroom run).

I was reminded of that today when I shoveled another 5". I just took this similar pic:

I think we still have a ways to go to match 2003!!

Okay so I discovered today what an ice chopper is and a roof rake, any other nifty little winter inventions that I want and are out of stock in all the hardware stores? I am so over the snow and my arms are killing me from chopping all the ice in my driveway and sidewalk. This has got to be a cruel joke by Mother Nature :(

My mailbox is still buried. I've taken to shoveling steps so the mailman can get at it!

strong feb sun is dropping the snow fast. I can see the handle bars on my 4 wheeler just not the wood splitter I know is hooked to it.

We haven't had nearly the snow in VT where I live as in southern NE. However there is still 18" on the ground and we're expecting 6-12" tomorrow. I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for spring - after all it's still only February.

More snow predicted for tomorrow! Vermont may not have gotten the amount of snowfall as southern New England, but this relentless cold is really wearing on this Vermonter's nerves. We've had only two days that resembled a Feb thaw and no sign of a thaw all during January. At least the ice dams on the roof finally gave up their hold, and now it looks like a glacier rolled through the yard. I have never been so sick of winter in 60 years!

There, I've griped about it! Now I guess I can go back to waiting for spring...

I'm really getting sick and tired of this. DH is off on a business trip. So I'm stuck here alone dealing with this. I spent most of Friday mopping up water that was seeping into my basement - so much for the 100 year flood line. And I've just spent the past few hours shoveling and snow blowing. Now we have more rain forecast for tomorrow - which means I'll be on basement duty again tomorrow. I so want all this snow to melt - but I'm getting more and more concerned about the basement.

Pixie Lou -

Short term, a wet-dry shop vacuum will work well. Long term look into a sump pump or foundation drains. Depending on your situation, one or the other will fix the problem.

Barb (who lives on a layer of clay 6 feet down & had about 5 gallons a minute flowing through the cellar each spring when we first moved in.)