Comments on: Winter Drifts

By: Eric Meyer

Eric Meyer — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 17:49:23 +0000

Thanks for the data, Brian, but I didn’t grow up in Cleveland. Ohio, yes, but not Cleveland.

By: Brian Donovan

Brian Donovan — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 17:46:47 +0000

Your memory of Cleveland winters in not supported by evidence. According to the National Weather Service, the winter of 2004-2005 was by far the snowiest winter on 40 years. The longest period of time below zero temperatures was in 1994. Snowfall totals in the last 4 decades in Cleveland look pretty similar to me, maybe even a little higher average the last 20 years.
The reason I mention this is because I had similar memories of winters in Rochester, that I found were flawed when I looked back at the records. I think those periods of heavy snowfall stick with you when you are young.
One thing I do know, we are much more efficient at snow removal than we were in the 60′s. There isn’t much that could happen here now that couldn’t be taken care of within 24 hours.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 06:06:40 +0000

I moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta when I was in junior high school. That was some weather shock. In Georgia, when a single snowflake hits the ground the entire city grinds to a standstill. A few years ago we had a whole six inches in one day and that, apparently, constituted a blizzard. As a side effect, no one here can drive in snow. In fact, most are terrified to even try.

Personally, I miss snow. I miss proper winter, sleds, boots, snow angels, white Christmases, snow forts, skating, snowball fights and all the rest. We simply don’t get that here. We do have a solid month of 100+ degree days in the summer and that I could do without.

Now, ice storms, ice storms are something to be worried about but I think that’s a story for another time.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 18:25:17 +0000

I’ve also found for light fluffy snow that my leaf blower works quite well! Being a former Clevelander myself (I lived on West 25th and Denison) and now residing in Wisconsin I am no stranger to either cold, lake effect snow, or some combination of the two, and what one goes through to remove it from your walks and doorways.

Having heard you speak three times now I am not so surprised by your waxing poetic, and looking at the windows of my own house in Wisconsin I too can appreciate the essence of the beauty of nature that keeps you where you are.

I am just glad to hear that all in the Meyer household survived the storm in fine fashion while maintaining some semblance of humor about the whole thing.

Stay warm, tend the fire, drink lots of Cocoa and enjoy the time with the family… I have found that these times come all too seldom for my liking so I try to make the most out of them when they do happen.

By: Rohan

Rohan — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 10:54:43 +0000

Isn’t the world an interesting place… being able to read (and see your pics) of your snow blanketed local environs in Cleveland, while here in Melbourne, Australia, it was a summery 37°C (98.6°F) today – hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms (but no rain) – and a forecast of 38°C (100°F) for the next two days.
No hot drinks and fireplaces for us, just hot days and bush fires instead…

By: ramin

ramin — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 07:42:52 +0000

I always enjoy someone who appreciates the changing seasons. That’s one of the main reasons why I don’t really consider moving away from Finland (except maybe to the northwest in the states).

We’ve had mainly the opposite here. Our winter started out really mild (green grass in January), sparking lots of talk about global warming. Then we got a bit (too little if you ask me – and I shovel) of snow and a cold spell.

However, the discussion about global warming hasn’t slowed down. Green grass in January shocks most Finns to the core…

By: dan

dan — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 04:31:26 +0000

ps – very well said about Cleveland.

By: dan

dan — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 04:04:02 +0000

Yeah, my shovel broke in half at 7 in the morning yesterday…

but overall it was a pretty good snow. makes me wish i was still in elementary school(:

By: Brad Dielman

Brad Dielman — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 03:25:10 +0000

Hi Eric,

I remember the Blizzard of ’77, but its the Blizzard of ’78 that really stayed with me all of these years. I grew up in Northwest Ohio and we were hit very hard. My mother who was pregnant with my younger brother was worried that she would go into labor during the storm. Luckily he waited a few weeks.

As a fellow Clevelander, I agree that this was a nasty storm, but I would compare it more to the storm we had during Christmas of ’04. It immobilized the city for a day and a half, and then we were back to normal. It was nice to have the time off to spend Valentine’s day with my wife and daughter though.

I like your words about the changing seasons. It is easy to forget nature’s beauty when your knee-deep in snow drifts digging out your car, but in the end, winter is truly a wonderful season. Like you I’ve posted some pics of the aftermath on Flickr.

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 22:54:03 +0000

Once you found a good thing you tend to stick to it regardless of the hottest summer days or the most snow driven ones.

Its the days in between that makes it worthwhile.

By: Devon

Devon — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 19:18:37 +0000

I didn’t realize you could wax poetic sentiment like that. Cool. Very cool. And yeah, the beauty of seasons can be very underestimated when people just focus on the cold air and bad driving weather.

By: pauldwaite

pauldwaite — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 18:34:22 +0000

we all stayed home (Carolyn"s preschool and Kat"s office both being closed, along with nearly everything else in the city) and played games, read books, and went outside for short periods to make snow angels, get cold-rosy cheeks, and eat a few mittenfuls of snow. Then we came back in to sip hot drinks in front of the fireplace.

Aw man! I gotta move out of London. Also, get married :)

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 18:03:26 +0000

I remember the Blizzard of ’77 well; it was the week I started working on my first paper route. You might be surprised how many of my new customers were of the opinion that six feet of snow was no excuse for a late delivery of the Buffalo Evening News.

Anyway, I am in agreement.I’ve had to adjust my expectations of what kind of gear I need to get through the winter, and not just because I now call Philadelphia home.