Snow in Massachusetts

When forecasters predict an impending storm will hit the state of Massachusetts, the result varies according to your location. I heard the term warm snow, and I had to think about what that meant. Probably that the accumulation result would be heavy, containing a lot of water. Usually, a storm that starts with little itty bitty flakes, result in the most accumulation. Now, where I am that situation has changed to large flakes, hopefully meaning a winding down.

The center of the state's prediction was approximately 24" and I know we got at least that much, my husband measured 28" near his car, earlier today. This storm was a converging storm, one from the south and one from the west. The type of snow that the coast saw was nothing like what we get here. Our location is not far from the Connecticut border.

When we purchased this house, the first consideration should have been the direction that it faces. Our neighbors do not have the same problems that we encounter, as their snow piles up behind their homes, and not at their front door. Several hours ago, we reached a point, mid-storm, where we were unable to open doors to evacuate our homes in the event of an emergency. That means, without a generator, should we lose power, we are completely cut-off from the world, except for our cell phones, which are not always dependable. The only way we would be able to operate is through the use of anything battery-operated, and candles. We would be able to use the crank-type radio should batteries fail, which would enable us to hear what was going on, at the very lest. That is why I suggest that radio is the only viable way when setting up emergency programs, especially for the elderly, who may not have cell phones, and lose their power.

Luckily, we did not get the winds that we did last time, and did not lose power, which also means losing heat. Not being able to vacate your home, due to snow accumulations in front of your door, significantly adds to the stress. It was suggested that we could always jump out of a window, if necessary. I fell when trying to walk in the blizzard of '78, and had a hard time to get back up. You cannot move and you don't know what's underneath, or where stairs are and when it is up to your waiste, it is exhausting to walk. Blizzards produce uneven snow accummulations, another problem for walking.

Snow removal is difficult especially when it is in front of your doors. Making it impossible to open them. You must, or, if it freezes, you'll not be able to use your entrance for some time.

Presently, my back door snow amount measured over 24" from the inside. The snow is not heavy, still we cannot budge the door open. Until we clear the front stairs and driveway, there is no way we will get to it.

If I were an engineer, I wonder if I could come up with a solution. Florida is the only state that isn't experiencing winter weather right now. Maybe that is a plan....for some, but not for me. My neighbors talk about it every year. (Wondering how sliders would work?)Might be time to consider redoing the back entrance.

Once the storm is done, our driveway will be back plowed and the stairs will be cleared. Meanwhile, I will enjoy the beauty and think about the positive aspects of fallen-snow like clean air and the replenishing of reservoirs.

I recall several stories from the "good ol' days" when people used to venture out to take care of their chickens and cows. It was said that they used to tie ropes around each other, to keep them together because of the wind and deep amounts of snow. I used to find those stories a bit humorous and somewhat exaggerated, but not anymore.

My grandmother was said to have fallen on the side of the road, and while her family thought she was in church praying, she was frozen to the bone in a ditch. Apparently, she lived on a hill and slipped. Being only 4' 10" it didn't take much snow to cover her. Lucky for her, she was not run over and was found by her family.

The Cape usually just gets mostly rain, as they experienced today. So in the end, we all get a mixed bag, so to speak. What we're all wondering around here is where are we going to put it? Our town has problems when trying to clear the roads, and we all are obligated to clean sidewalks in front of your home, if you have any. It is going to be messy for a while, alternate street parking, and no parking, and emergency parking bans are in effect.

I can be thankful that my car is tucked away safely in the garage, and I have no plans to go out in the near future. Still, as evening approaches, it would be nice if there were some kids with shovels, going around to make a few extra bucks, like we used to do when we were their age.