I knew last week when I had the studded snow tires taken off the truck and horse trailer that I was only asking for trouble ... in the form of a spring blizzard. Well, it arrived a couple of hours ahead of schedule this afternoon. I took the photo above looking towards Widget's House from our front porch about 4:15 p.m.
Here's what the National Weather Service's winter storm warning said:
BUTTE/BLACKFOOT REGION -
237 PM MDT SAT APR 19 2008
A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING
TO 6 PM MDT SUNDAY.
6 TO 10 INCHES OF NEW SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED THIS EVENING THROUGH
SUNDAY EVENING. IN ADDITION...NORTHERLY WINDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH
WITH HIGHER GUSTS WILL CAUSE SIGNIFICANT BLOWING AND DRIFTING
SNOW.
I don't even know how hard the wind is blowing right now because our wind meter is clogged with snow and shut down a short while ago. In the 30 minutes since I took that photo, the ground is now entirely white.
This is the Weather Service's page for the 'point forecast' for our specific location, shown with the red dot on the map -- if you click on the image you'll get a larger version you can read:
I think next year I'll wait just a while longer on the snow tires.
We have it in writing....you were right in saying if you take the snow tires off it will snow! You're pretty powerful Father Nature! ; )
Posted by: Boundforglory | April 21, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Throw another log on the fire and start surfing the net for pix of the Caribbean.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | April 21, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Well I guess us Southerners should stop complaining that every time we wash our cars it rains. We don't even own snow tires!
Stay warm and rest assured spring is really here. It will make it out there, eventually.
Posted by: Smiley Faces | April 20, 2008 at 11:37 AM
You know, when it started snowing yesterday I thought of you. When I see my car as the biggest snow drift I've ever seen, I just imagined how much worse it must be out of the city.
Posted by: Christy | April 20, 2008 at 11:04 AM
The same kind of thing happens to me. I let my hair grow long for winter and chop it off for spring and summer. I am always a storm too early and end up wearing my Russian fake fur cap with ear flaps instead of a wool cap for the last snow walks around our farm.
Posted by: G in INdiana | April 20, 2008 at 06:22 AM
I'd much rather be in the snow country! It was 90 degrees here in Tucson today and I got a mild sunburn from being out at 8:30a for a Little League game! Enjoy the snow--you'll get scorching temps soon enough! With cold, you can always add layers but with heat, there's only so much you can take off...just ask the dogs!
Posted by: Amy | April 20, 2008 at 05:42 AM
Wow, that is crazy. I hope you all stay warm there. What I find even more crazy is you said studded tires on your trailer???
Posted by: Matt | April 20, 2008 at 03:00 AM
You caused this mess. Same thing happen' here. Need I say more? : )
Posted by: Craig from Great Falls | April 19, 2008 at 11:51 PM
Hahaha! So people in your area can thank you for the blizzard!
Posted by: yoonamaniac | April 19, 2008 at 11:45 PM
I just moved to Lethbridge from Thunder Bay & was so excited about the lack of snow I also took off my snow tires last week.....guess we're both to blame for the storm!!
You people are wonderful & giving, & I applaude you for all you do for these animals.
Posted by: Jolene | April 19, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Sounds like a 10-dog night to me. Go to bed and call everybody up for a snuggle! Stay warm.
Posted by: Miranda | April 19, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Wow....what a spring mess! Sending you sunshine and warmth from southern Ontario so that all your snow will melt quickly!
Posted by: Nina | April 19, 2008 at 10:42 PM
Poor Steve! Isn't that almost always the way...I'm sure if you had left the snow tires on it would have been 85F today! :)
Posted by: Kristen D. | April 19, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Uck, that weather sounds awful! Hope everyone stays safe and warm!
Posted by: SuzyQ | April 19, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Seems as if Murphy's Law is working just fine in your neck of the country! I hope you won't have the need to get out. I'm trying to send sunshine & warmer temps your way.
Big warm hugs,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | April 19, 2008 at 06:55 PM