The wind has been rocketing along the sides of our home
and howling around its corners for over twelve hours,
driving horizontal snow before it.
We have experienced a "bomb cyclone" blizzard,
and some eight inches of snow has accumulated in Aurora.
Accumulated seems a misnomer though,
because the fierce winds have stripped some areas bare
and have swirled the snow around and around and around in the air.
Drifts are piling up in odd areas; and, of course in front of our garage door.
Terry watches out the window
as the blizzard moves in.
Aurora, Colorado, USA
March 13, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
A blizzard is a snowstorm with winds of 35 miles/hour (56 kilometers/hour) or more,
and visibility reduced to 1/4 mile (0.40 kilometer) for at least three hours.
We had winds that blew steadily at 45 mph (72 kph)
and gusted to 60 mph (96 kph).
At Denver International Airport a few miles north of us,
the top wind gust recorded was 80 mph (128 kph).
Terry and I watched in amazement at the total whiteout conditions
that lasted well over an hour.
At other times during the blizzard, the snow would thin briefly,
and we could see a hundred yards or more (91 meters),
catching glimpses of ghostly conifers and indistinct houses.
Whiteout!
Aurora, Colorado, USA
March 13, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
We also watched in amazement, as winds ripped past our windows nonstop for hours,
and this one little sprig with four berries lying on our deck
never moved or disappeared in a drift of snow.
It's still out there now.
never moved or disappeared in a drift of snow.
It's still out there now.
Tenacity
Aurora, Colorado, USA
March 13, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
A bomb cyclone is a storm with rapidly plunging atmospheric pressure,
defined as a drop of 24 millibars (units of atmospheric pressure) in 24 hours or less.
According to a number of sources, including CNN,
our storm intensified explosively,
as the atmospheric pressure fell 33 millibars in some eighteen hours.
Usually these storms occur near large bodies of water like the Atlantic Ocean
and rarely in places like Colorado.
Burrr!
Aurora, Colorado, USA
March 13, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
While I spent time making baked beans and blueberry lemon bread,
working on a jigsaw puzzle, and running outside to take pictures,
Terry hung out close to the fireplace.
I Hate Winter!
Aurora, Colorado, USA
March 13, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
We're lucky because we spent the day in a warm house,
and we didn't lose our electricity or get stranded on a highway.
Others were not as fortunate.
Our Colorado State Patrol lost a trooper today
as he attempted to help a driver who had slid off the road.
Corporal Daniel H. Groves was stuck by by another car
and he died later in the hospital. cbslocal
The dedication and sacrifices of our first responders are remarkable,
and they should never be forgotten or taken for granted.
Snow begins to pile against our garage door.
Aurora, Colorado, USA
March 13, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Hug your loved ones!
That was so tragic about the officer.
ReplyDeleteI lived in the Midwest as a kid and saw many blizzards. One buried the backside of our house, covering the sliding glass doors completely. The change in pressure in yours is really similar to a hurricane.
A hurricane with snow! Thanks, Alex! I'm sure you are much more familiar with hurricanes than I am. The wind blew all night, and it is still blowing at 22 mph. I knew that we had hurricane force winds in nearby parts of Colorado, but it was weaker here. There were all kinds of discrepancies among the data from different weather sources and agencies, so I "reported" conservatively. I hate when tv weather people hype the weather.
DeleteIt is tragic about the officer. I get angry at people who go out in extreme weather and put themselves and others at risk. I should not prejudge, because I don't know the individual circumstances that put people on the roads; but it's my innate reaction.
Have a good one, my friend!
What a terrible storm! A blizzard is never good news.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you know well, Debra, having grown up on the prairies. I'm wondering about all the animals today, the cattle, the deer, the birds, the bunnies under our front steps whose holes are covered with mounds of shoveled snow. Thank God we have a snow-shoveling service where we live! I'd try to dig them out, but the snow is hard and deep, and that's not a smart choice at my age. Besides, Terry might have me carted off to the loony bin. He does not like the rabbits.
DeleteHave a great day!
It is beautiful from inside. So glad you are safe!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandi! Snow is beautiful when you're safe and warm; but sometimes it can be a terrible beauty. Wishing you a good one!
DeleteI've never seen a blizzard. It would be terrible to be out in it. Like being out in a hurricane.
ReplyDeleteBeing out in a blizzard is frightening. I'll step out on the front porch to snap a photo, but that's as far as I'll willingly go and I'll have on my winter clothes, let me tell you! Have a great Friday!
DeleteI know y'all don't want to hear this, but after a wet and warm winter, I am missing snow! This is my fifth winter back South and next year I need to make a trip back north or west just to see the white stuff.
ReplyDeletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
I so get it, Sage! I love snow, and when I have a winter without it, I miss it greatly. I hope you make that trip!
DeleteI'm a little shocked, I saw bees here today.
ReplyDeleteLucky you, Adam! I hope that the storm is much weaker when it arrives on the East Coast. Wishing you and Daisy a great and safe weekend!
DeleteWe don't know where to go with the plowed and shoveled snow anymore in Breckenridge! Our sons who live in Denver and Evergreen had a hard time getting home even though their businesses closed early. Too much ice, snow, and wind. Hope you're now thawing out.
ReplyDeleteHi, Barb! We heard about the mountains of snow in Breckenridge from Terry's sister. I'm glad to hear that you are coping. I'm also glad that your sons made it home okay. One of the things I like most about being retired is not having to go out in dangerous weather. I'm sure you are enjoying the gorgeous winter scenery in Breck! It was good to hear from you! Take care!
DeleteHi, Barb! I visited your blog this morning, but comments were closed. It's been far too long since I enjoyed your inspiring space. The snow in the mountains is glorious, and your photo of snow sparkling in the sunlit forest is one of the loveliest I have ever seen. I'm glad that Bob has gotten help with the burden of pushing all that snow. Enjoy today!
DeleteWe've been watching the news about this and I was thinking of you!! Stay safe my friend! I am so sorry about the trooper who lost his life! Big Warm Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stacy! And I always appreciate Big Warm Hugs! I always feel terrible when a first responder is killed or injured in the line of duty. People who serve in this capacity are my heroes. I hope you are well, my friend! Sending YOU a big warm hug!
DeleteThank you!
DeleteI never knew the definition of a blizzard before. When we had blizzards in Maryland, I stayed at home.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Hi, Janie! Home is a good place to be in a blizzard, for sure! I'm glad that you were able to stay home when blizzards hit your area. The teacher in me just had to include a definition of a blizzard; I can't help myself ~ LOL I'm glad to know the definition helped!
DeleteTeaching is a good thing.
Deleteoh dear Louise i am shivering here while reading about snow storm and seeing these totally WHITE washed world outside your cozy beautiful home!
ReplyDeletei may cannot survive such cold brrrr.....
loved the images thank you so much for sharing the glimpse ,you have really lovely place and managed elegantly
loved the huge show piece on table and Terry looks like quite annoyed with weather lol
but how blessed to have fireplace and cozy sofas with your baking food and hot coffee
felt so sad about driver who lost his life in accident
i think driving in such harsh weather is not wise option
hope winter leaves you alone to accompany spring my dear friend!
hugs!
Hi, Baili! Thank you for your lovely comment! Terry was and is quite annoyed with the winter weather. He hates the cold and the snow, and it's likely that we will move to a warmer place. I am grateful for our fireplace; it's a comfort and a joy in the winter. Humanity's appreciation for fire has deep roots. Hugs to you, my dear Baili!
DeleteWow, sooooo glad that stayed there and never came here. I wouldn't be leaving the house and be rather miffed just looking at it all haha Hopefully you are all dug out now and it doesn't look so white out there. Ours has melted a lot, thankfully.
ReplyDeleteIt was quite the storm, Pat! I'm glad that it didn't hit you.
DeleteI think we are finally out of the woods as far as snow is concerned. We got a light dusting last week, but it's starting to warm up and feels a bit like spring actually might come this year. I saw my tulips are starting to push through the ground finally, and that makes me really happy! I'd be right next to Terry in front of that fireplace during the storm. I think he had the right idea :)
ReplyDelete