# Snow is coming for parts of the eastern US **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 18, 2009, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742 "2009-12-18T15:33:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/21 "2009-12-18T19:34:17Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > Bless my baby, 9YO **mudgirl** who is, by nature, a ‘planner’. This morning when I told her of the impending storm, she immediately began making precautionary plans: “Well, you’d better buy some extra milk and bread, because if we lose electricity, we can just have peanut butter sandwiches and milk. . .we can put the milk on the back porch if we need to. . .we’ve got plenty of fresh fruit; so, lemme see, that’s grains, fruit, protein. . .what am I missing? Oh, water! Well, fill up the water pitcher tonight so we’ll have plenty of water. . .” I would expect **mudgirl** ’s plan to end with “… and when the storm melts, the yard will be one big mud puddle! Yaaaaaay!” ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/22 "2009-12-18T19:39:03Z")
Hooray for snow! I see my snow dance worked perfectly and now I will simply wait for the city to be buried. :D:D:D:D:D ---
**Author:** ![TwoTrouts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@TwoTrouts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoTrouts)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/23 "2009-12-18T20:02:51Z")
> [@Edward\_The\_Head](#): > > I wonder what the local “bread-o-meter” is calling for. The local CBS station likes to make fun of what us DCers do and they have a “bread-o-meter”, as in how much bread you need to get. Looking for it I couldn’t find it, but now they are calling for 12-24 inches. :eek: Looks like I’ll need more bread. 😃 I didn’t think anyone knew about that! Topper Shutt’s “Bread-o-Meter” was at 7.5 last night. Highest it’s been since Feb '03. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/24 "2009-12-18T20:07:35Z")
Walmart reports that beer and Strawberry Pop Tarts fly off the shelves faster than anything else when a storm is forecast. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/25 "2009-12-18T20:10:20Z")
Rumor is calling for anywhere from a foot to 20 inches of snow over the weekend, here in northern Baltimore. Sigh. Guess I need to run to the store on my way home. On the plus side- hey, snow! ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/26 "2009-12-18T20:17:51Z")
> [@TwoTrouts](#): > > I didn’t think anyone knew about that! > Topper Shutt’s “Bread-o-Meter” was at 7.5 last night. Highest it’s been since Feb '03. I wonder if he’s upped that since last night then. I didn’t catch it then, but I’ll be sure to watch tonight and see. I’m sure all the local stores are now out of bread and milk. I’d go see, but I’d afraid I’d get mugged for my bread and milk! ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/27 "2009-12-18T21:21:22Z")
😛 Hate snow. Hate winter. Bleah. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/28 "2009-12-18T22:12:26Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > 😛 > > Hate snow. Hate winter. Bleah. 😛 I really, really can’t handle the cold anymore (must be gettin’ old!) but I like the snow just fine as long as I can hunker down and cook ‘comfort food’ and just _look_ at it! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/29 "2009-12-18T22:18:21Z")
Last I heard, southern Md is expecting 10-20 inches. We have 2 brand new shovels, just in case. We needed at least one - the handle on one of the old shovels came off. I intend to spend the weekend knitting. We have sufficient bread and milk and TP. One necessity is shoveling a pee path for the little dog. She’s short, so a foot of snow will be bad. I’m not a fan of snow, but as long as we don’t lose power, I don’t care. It’s the weekend. I can slug. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/30 "2009-12-18T22:22:04Z")
The Bread-o-meter has hit 10! Topper Shutt has said that it could be one of the top 10 snows we’ve ever seen. Looks like DC and the area right around it is going to be hit the hardest. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/31 "2009-12-18T22:30:24Z")
We had three inches here in southern England last night. We understand what you’re going through. We can be strong together. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Necros](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/necros/32/11086_2.png) [@Necros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necros)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/32 "2009-12-18T22:37:47Z")
I am confused. Why is this a big news story? Is it because so many people live in the northeast? Or because people aren’t prepared for snow there? Or because many news organizations are based there or…? We get big storms and dumps of snow out here, but I don’t typically see national-level news stories about it. I definitely don’t go out and stock up on bread, milk, TP, etc. If I need to get out, I just hop in the car and go. Very, very rarely does the entire city shut down for snow, let alone a foot of snow. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/33 "2009-12-18T22:44:17Z")
Two to four inches total predicted here. Thankfully, we have lots of toilet paper so we can poop up a storm if need be. > [@Necros](#): > > I am confused. Why is this a big news story? Is it because so many people live in the northeast? Bingo. Also because of the high concentration of self-perceived important people. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/34 "2009-12-18T23:11:22Z")
> [@jackmannii](#): > > we can poop up a storm if need be. I see what you did there. . .😉 ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/35 "2009-12-18T23:33:14Z")
> [@Necros](#): > > I am confused. Why is this a big news story? Is it because so many people live in the northeast? Or because people aren’t prepared for snow there? Or because many news organizations are based there or…? > > We get big storms and dumps of snow out here, but I don’t typically see national-level news stories about it. I definitely don’t go out and stock up on bread, milk, TP, etc. If I need to get out, I just hop in the car and go. Very, very rarely does the entire city shut down for snow, let alone a foot of snow. 😕 I used to live in D.C. and I’m in Colorado now. In 1979, I was in high school ans we got two feet of snow on George Washington’s birthday (a Monday holiday) and we ended up getting the rest of the week off. It’s because there is little to no plowing equipment in that part of the country. The people who do go out on the roads can’t drive in the snow, they get stuck, then the few ploughs that are out can’t get through, etc. It’s just a descent into hell. I’m sure the area transportation authorities are glad that it’s happening on a Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/36 "2009-12-18T23:45:10Z")
> [@Necros](#): > > I am confused. Why is this a big news story? Is it because so many people live in the northeast? Or because people aren’t prepared for snow there? Or because many news organizations are based there or…? > > We get big storms and dumps of snow out here, but I don’t typically see national-level news stories about it. I definitely don’t go out and stock up on bread, milk, TP, etc. If I need to get out, I just hop in the car and go. Very, very rarely does the entire city shut down for snow, let alone a foot of snow. 😕 For PA and northward it’ll just be another big storm. But DC and below… hooo boy its gonna be a mess. The average _yearly_ snowfall is 15 inches. They are expecting a foot+ in ONE DAY! There’s already a State of Emergency declared in Virginia. ---
**Author:** ![ErinPuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dbc845/32.png) [@ErinPuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ErinPuff)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/37 "2009-12-18T23:58:06Z")
I flew from North Carolina to Pennsylvania yesterday morning - glad I didn’t schedule my flight for tomorrow. I hate snow and am not going to enjoy this at all, but at least it’s not going to ruin my travel plans or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/38 "2009-12-19T00:01:04Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Ah, yes, the footage of people crowding the supermarkets because “We’d better stock up before the hoarders get here!” > > Yes, each of the half-dozen or so major storms every damn winter means the temporary collapse of civilization. :rolleyes: I blame 24-hour cable news, which has to find things to report on and ways to keep people excited enough to watch. > > Let us know if something that _doesn’t_ happen every few damn weeks is about to and I’ll pay attention, ok? Yeah. I’m from Michigan, and I’m kind of amused the way New Jersey reacts to Winter weather. The whole world stands still, apparently, when it snows. Seriously, it’s December 18. We made it THAT long before the first big snowfall. You East Coasters don’t realize how good you have it. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/39 "2009-12-19T00:13:18Z")
I’m sure the ski resorts in West Virginia (yes, there are some!) are positively giddy with delight! We’re only supposed to get an inch overnight and another 1-3 inches tomorrow. Sigh. Oh, well. Our day will come – in February, as it always does. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742/40 "2009-12-19T01:03:40Z")
> [@Necros](#): > > I am confused. Why is this a big news story? Is it because so many people live in the northeast? Or because people aren’t prepared for snow there? Or because many news organizations are based there or…? I don’t get the milk, bread and TP either. Usually around here the stores will be open most of the time, or after a day or so. You have to remember that here, there’s _no_ place to put all that snow. You can’t just push it off to the side usually because there are houses right there. In places like DC and the larger cities they just can’t get rid of the snow so it creates a lot of problems. Plus usually when it snows it’s only a couple of inches, not 15-24 in a day. We don’t have the need to have the equipment to deal with it, much like when other places get a small amount of snow when they don’t normally. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snow-is-coming-for-parts-of-the-eastern-us/521742.md?page=3)