The Cold White Stuff

I'm writing this as rain falls outside.

Right. Rain. Not snow. But it's coming. At least it's supposed to.

I cite here the National Weather Service:

The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a Winter Storm
Warning... which is in effect from 3 PM this afternoon to 12 PM
CST Friday. The Winter Weather Advisory has been cancelled. The
Winter Storm Watch is no longer in effect.

"Snow is expected to develop late this afternoon and this evening
and continue into Friday morning. The snow may be heavy at times
with snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour at the height of the
storm. Exact storm total snowfall amounts will vary... but current
information suggests 6 to 10 inches of snow will be possible by
by noon Friday.

The snow may mix with sleet or freezing rain overnight. If this
occurs... expected snowfall amounts will be less.

A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow...
sleet... and ice are expected or occurring. Strong winds are also
possible. This will make travel very hazardous or impossible."

Of course, this is all hype. Perhaps we will get only a few token inches. Perhaps it will flurry for a few hours and a light dusting will settle on the grass. Perhaps not a flake will fall from the sky.

Or, it will be Armageddon.

One never knows with these "winter storm events." Something in me dreads their arrival, but something else in me relishes the threat of such excitement and chaos. I'm not sure this is the best timing for our first winter storm of the year, but when is it ever good timing for one of these things? I only hope it comes with a vengeance or doesn't come at all. Wimpy sleety snows that "make travel very hazardous" but provide no real excuse for not making it to your destination are the worst of all. Give me 5' high drifts or give me nothing.

Stay tuned to the Weather Channel to see what happens next...