Winter Weather Alert

It looks as if winter has finally arrived.  I got this weather alert email this morning.

WARNING

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT


NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN DIEGO CA
801 PM PST SUN FEB 12 2012


...A SERIES OF COLD WINTER STORMS TO IMPACT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK...

SEVERAL WINTER STORMS ARE POISED TO IMPACT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK WITH PERIODS OF RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW...GUSTY WINDS AND COLD WEATHER.

THE FIRST STORM WILL BRING LIGHT PRECIPITATION AS EARLY AS MONDAY MORNING AS IT APPROACHES FROM THE NORTH. RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW WILL BECOME MORE WIDESPREAD DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING WITH THE COLD FRONT. RAINFALL IS EXPECTED TO BE LIGHT TO OCCASIONALLY MODERATE WITH A TENTH TO A QUARTER INCH WEST OF THE MOUNTAINS. UPWARDS OF A HALF INCH IS EXPECTED OVER THE MOUNTAINS WHERE SNOW WILL FALL ABOVE 5000 FEET. A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THE SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS FOR 4 TO 9 INCHES OF SNOW. HIGH WIND WARNINGS AND WIND ADVISORIES ARE I N EFFECT FOR THE MOUNTAINS AND DESERTS MONDAY...AND A GALE WARNING WILL BE IN EFFECT OVER THE COASTAL WATERS.


THIS FIRST STORM WILL MOVE EAST ON TUESDAY AND THE PRECIP WILL TAPER OFF DURING THE DAY. A SECOND STORM WILL APPROACH THE AREA WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. MOISTURE WILL BE LIMITED WITH THIS SECOND SYSTEM...AND PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS ARE STILL BEING DETERMINED. HOWEVER...IT WILL BRING ANOTHER SURGE OF COLD AIR AND GUSTY NORTHERLY WINDS INTO THE REGION WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING.


A BREAK IN THE WEATHER FOLLOWS WITH DRY WEATHER AND OFFSHORE FLOW THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND FRIDAY...BUT THE LONG RANGE MODELS SHOW THE POTENTIAL FOR A THIRD WINTER STORM NEXT SUNDAY OR MONDAY.

So if you are traveling up or down the mountain today, take the necessary precautions.  As of 10 am, there is no snow and it is not raining presently.  It is cold and foggy though. 

Heads Up! Weather change coming

Well it is that time of year again folks. The weather can change on a dime and while we have been enjoying nice weather these past few weeks, there is change afoot.  There is snow in the forecast for tomorrow.

Tonight: A 20 percent chance of rain after 11pm. Increasing clouds, with a low around 32. West wind between 5 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Friday: Rain showers likely before 11am, then snow showers. High near 34. West wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

I guess 1 to 3 inches isn't too bad for the first storm of the season, but I am enjoying this fabulous fall weather and would prefer to keep it at least until December.   However, moisture is always needed and welcome, so should we receive some, I will not complain. 

So make sure you are ready for snow.  It is better to be safe than sorry because the weather can be unpredictable at this time of the year.  As always, remember to turn your water off at your customer valve when you leave your mountain home.  This is the single most important thing you can do to prevent leaks.  Please take a minute and check the side of the blog for more cold weather tips.

Also, if you have animals outside, please be sure you provide for them in this colder weather.  A warm, dry shelter out of the elements is essential as is fresh food and water, no matter what the weather is.  Remember, they depend on you to provide for all their needs and it is your responsibility as a pet owner to provide what they need. 

We also have a link to the weather forecast on the left hand side of the blog as well many other helpful links and phone numbers.  I continually add to the list any websites or phone numbers that I think may be useful to the residents here in Pine Cove.  If I have missed any, please drop me a line at Vicki@pcwd.org and let me know.

This Weather, Yikes!

Well, I thought it was spring, but surprise, not yet.  This is very discouraging.  There is something very wrong about snow in May.  It is depressing!  I don't want cold and snow and ice chunks falling off the trees.  I want sun and 60 degree days and to be out in the garden planting vegetables.  Luckily, I did get a lot of work done in my garden on Saturday, before this storm moved in, so it is getting a nice watering at least.  But, I was just getting started and now have had to put everything on hold. With each storm, I think, OK this is the last one!  However, Mother Nature always has the upper hand and I can never seem to out guess her.  So I guess we will just have to live with it.  The good news is that we are getting more moisture!  So that is wonderful.  Now if only the temperatures would rise we would be in good shape!  Hope everyone stays warm and dry.

Ok, who canceled spring?

The snowy weather just keeps on coming.  I have to admit, even though we need all the snow and rain we can get, I am tired of it.  Physically tired.  I am tired of being cold.  My dogs are tired of walking around on the snow and ice to go potty, my husband works outside mostly and he is tired of being cold and wet all day.  We are both tired of shoveling and tired of having snow piled up to our window sills.  I am tired of not being able to open the windows and I am tired of the ever white landscape. I am tired of all the extra coats, boots, sweaters, gloves and hats that are cluttering up my laundry room and snow shovels and snow blowers cluttering up my back porch.

 I think this is the time of the year when cabin fever really sets in .  In January and February, you can tell yourself it is winter and this is to be expected.  But, by the end of March, it is spring and I WANT spring weather.  We have done our time in winter and it is time to reap our reward for making it through yet another cold season.  I want to dig in the dirt, see some green and sit out in the sun without a heavy coat on.  I want daffodils and tulips and yard sales. I want to hang my sheets out on the line.  I want to be outside working in the garden for hours on end.  I want to swap out snow boots and Uggs, for Birkenstocks and Wellies.  I want to play my harp out in the garden on a warm afternoon. I want to  let the gentle breeze waft through the strings and just listen to the song Mother Nature creates.  So much to look forward to....I can hardly wait.

Unfortunately, I will have to wait, as they are calling for more snow tonight!  When will it end?  Too bad we can't bottle some of this cold weather up and use it in July or August when we are having a heat wave, dry spell and feel as if it will never, ever be cool or wet again.  One thing about the weather, it always gives us something to talk about, complain about or rave about.  Be it nice or nasty, we have to take it as it comes.  I guess that is what makes living her in Pine Cove so special.  While is is frustrating now, I know in a few weeks or so we will be rewarded with the most glorious sunny days and cool, crisp, star filled nights.  The trees will leaf out and the lilacs will bloom.  The smell of cedar and pine will perfume the early morning air and we will once again be sure that there is no better place on earth to live.  Our summer time activities will be in full swing and another glorious summer in the mountains will envelope us.  Soon, I hope!

It's Snowing!

I was surprised to see it snowing this morning. I heard it rain during the night and thought that was all we would get. However, when I looked out the window it was snowing. It has now turned to rain but not before leaving a dusting of white. Perfect weather to put you in the Christmas spirit!

If you are going to be out driving, please be careful. Wet, slick roads mixed with fog can spell trouble for mountain drivers. If you are planning to come up the hill for the holidays, please be sure to check road conditions and weather reports prior to heading out. Make sure you have all the necessary equipment for driving in snow or rain. Don't let being unprepared put a damper on you mountain visit.

As always, please be mindful of your pets in this weather. Please provide an adequate shelter for any animal you keep outside. Dry bedding that helps keep them warm is greatly appreciated. Fresh food and water daily is a must. A healthy animal is better able to withstand the harsh weather than one that is not in his prime. If your pet has a condition like arthritis, please consider keeping them indoors if possible. Remember it is your responsibility to provide for your pet's needs.

Don't forget to go to our website at www.pcwd.org and check out our webcam. You can see what is happening with the weather on our real time weather webcam.

Pets and Cold Weather

If you have pets that live outside, please make sure they have what they need to endure the cold weather. Most animals need some sort of shelter so they can get out of the elements. Even in the cold and wet, they still need fresh drinking water daily. Mine enjoy nice hot water as it helps warm them up a little bit. Make sure they have some where to eat where their food will stay dry. Please make sure they have the appropriate bedding so they can stay warm and dry when the wind starts blowing and the rain and snow starts falling. It is up to us to provide for our pets and to make sure they are as comfortable as possible. Winter is hard on everyone, but especially on the animals that are kept out in the elements. If we are going to have pets, then it is our responsibility to provide them with what they need. Please be a responsible pet owner.

Frugal Friday

Let's talk about frozen pipes. According to State Farm, approximately 250,000 families have their homes ruined and their lives disrupted each winter by water pipes that freeze and burst. When the outside temperature drops below freezing, water pipes with little or no insulation can freeze and break.

Now, what does this have to do with Frugal Friday you might ask? Well, think of the cost of preparing your pipes for winter vs. repairing the damage done when they freeze and break. This is obviously a no brainer. Why would anyone want to deal the mess and disruption of frozen, broken pipes when it is so simple to prevent it? While it might mean a small cash outlay initially, the time, money, worry and inconvenience you will save is priceless.

Before the cold weather hits:

Insulate pipes in unheated areas and those that run along outside walls, floors or ceilings. There are several types of insulation available for this job and you can decide which one will work best for your situation.

Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located.

Disconnect garden hoses and cover faucets with special insulated faucet socks.

Once the mercury drops, you can open your cabinet doors to allow heat to get to the piping under sinks and vanities.

If you do experience frozen pipes or a leak, call a plumber immediately and turn your water off at your customer valve. Do not try to thaw the pipe with a torch or other open flame and do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water because you could be electrocuted.

The biggest thing you can do to prevent frozen pipes, is to turn your water off at your customer valve anytime you leave your mountain home. This is the single most critical step you can take in preventing frozen and burst pipes.


Don't let water damage dampen your life this winter. Spend a few minutes protecting your water pipes to save time and money down the road. Remember it is cheaper to prevent a problem than it is to repair one. And remember that there does not have to be snow on the ground for it to be cold enough for pipes to freeze.