Forecasts call for 14 inches of snow to fall in Seattle on Wednesday. According to the National Weather Service reports, if that much snow falls it will be the heaviest snowfall in decades. In addition to the heavy fresh powder, Seattle is still recuperating from Sunday’s snowstorm.
While we may have visited the moon many times over the past 43 years, Seattle has not experienced this kind of snow in that long. The last time the city faced this much snow was on January 27, 1969, when 14.9 inches of snow covered the ground in a 24 hour period. Chris Burke of the National Weather service said, “It will be snowing everywhere on Wednesday. Not showers, but heavy, widespread snowfall all day.”
Places as far south as Lake Tahoe, California will feel the repercussions of this storm. A lack of snow in Tahoe this year has been much concern for the community, so it comes welcomed. On Sunday, many Native Americans in the area performed the “Round Dance” as a way of asking for snow. Meteorologists are calling for six feet of snowfall by the end of the day.
Despite the present snowfall in the northwest, old man winter has not been nearly as harsh this season. The National Weather Service reported that this time last year half of the nation had an average of 6 inches of snow on the ground.
To prepare for this storm, residents affected are encouraged to stay off the icy, slick road on Wednesday if at all possible. If you have a storm shelter available, it would be best to retrieve the nonperishable foods that you have in it. This will keep you off the roads, and keep you from the rush of people that will likely be stocking up due to a lack of preparedness ahead of time. Though, how could anyone be prepared for such a storm? With decades passing since the last one, residents have no idea how to handle such calamity.
However, with a bit of precaution, it’s not the end of the world. Do your best to sit back, relax and enjoy the snow days. Chances are, you’ll have quite a few of them. Have a puzzle you’ve been wanting to complete? How about a board game you haven’t been able to play in some time? Well, you have nothing but time over the next few days. Make some hot chocolate, curl around the fire and enjoy some time alone or with the family.