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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Goodbye Zone Nine Winter

The prediction  for a snow flurry or two was changed to perhaps a spotty accumulation of a trace to an inch.  As a cold moist air mass stalled over us, the snow came in sideways and temperatures plummeted to twenty degrees.  The snow fell all night and until Monday afternoon.   This was a bit of a shock having just experienced the warmest January on record.

The call announcing that school would be closed came long before dawn.

Usually when it snows, we all go outside and take a walk in the unusual white stuff.  However, with the strong cold wind making it miserable,  most folks stayed inside.  Notice the lack of footprints on the public sidewalk.

The hummingbird feeders were near empty and frozen so new nectar was prepared to fill them.  That froze in just a few hours so the feeders were zapped in the microwave to thaw them again.  Poor birds. 

Just when we thought that we'd have a zone 9 winter ...



We are NOT amused.



Although the snow has stopped, the freezing temperatures will be with us for at least the rest of the week and roads will continue to be slick tomorrow.  I wouldn't be surprised if schools are once again closed.
This is nothing compared to the cold suffered by those experiencing the polar vortex event but I'll certainly be glad to see the snow melt and the temperature to rise!

20 comments:

  1. It may not be Polar Vortex but it is not good news for all of you gardeners in the area. We had three days of temps in the 40s and a little rain which greatly reduce our snow cover. Freezing rain is forecast for tomorrow. It seems like it is always something . . .

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    1. It is what it is. They're talking about more snow coming our way later this week. Yikes!

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  2. This is my most despised kind of winter weather. I just want to stomp all over the joy of all those weather nerds who are so happy about snow in this area. "It's so pretty!" No, it's not. It's dangerous to walk anywhere in it, it's dangerous to drive in it. It was 17 degrees this morning, geez! Thanks for letting me rant. I should probably take some photos and post them on my own blog for history's sake, but I can't be bothered.

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    1. Thanks for the giggle Alison, I can just see you stomping all over their joy....

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    2. Love your rant, Alison. When it falls softly, looks pretty, and has the decency to melt in a day, I don't mind but this windy, cold, icy mess is awful.

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  3. Not amused indeed. Dammit. The fact we stayed overcast last night meant the temperatures didn't drop too far (only 29) but now that damn snow that fell is gonna keep the temperature down. (your ovatifolia wears the snow well)

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    1. Sorry you got snow too. Looks like we'll be getting more later this week. Crazy! Remember the year that there was snow for the NFGS?

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    2. There have been two in recent memory. One I drove up for and watched cars ending up in the ditch as I creeped past them, I don’t think I knew you yet for that one. Then there was the one where I stayed home. Gawd I hope this is over by then.

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  4. I feel sorry for you all. Seeing these pictures of those warm weather plants covered in snow makes me sad. I hope you don't lose any plants. Hopefully the snow will protect them from the winds and cold somewhat. Maybe I shouldn't say this out loud but it sure is pretty. A chance for a picture of your house or garden for next year's Christmas card. Stay safe.

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    1. It is pretty. We'll lose some tender plants but most of the hardy stuff will shrug it off. On the bright side, we can look forward to shopping at nurseries to replace the dead.

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  5. I wish you could send me some snow! It's very, very hot here :(

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    1. I'd be happy to trade you some snow for a few degrees of heat!

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  6. Love the pompoms on the agave. ;) The good news is that the snow blanketing plants will keep them at 32, as opposed to colder temps. in the air. Hope yours survive!

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    1. The agave pompoms were a nice surprise which probably happened because the snow blew sideways this time. I'm hoping that the snow blanket helps some things survive.

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  7. Yep, schools closed on Tuesday also here. Temps dropping now that the sun is setting. The icicles have stopped dripping.

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    1. Okay, that was an interesting winter, now it's time for spring, dammit!

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  8. Wow, your weather forecasters really got it wrong! I keep hearing of wildly fluctuating weather conditions (weather whiplash) in Europe as well as the US. Perhaps these unexpected back-flips are harder for forecasters to assess in advance. I hope the agave gets through the experience unscathed.

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    1. Weather forecasters say that snow is difficult to predict here. Must be some scientific reason. The agave should be okay although it might have a bit of damage as there was so much rain before the freeze.

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  9. Blech. It is pretty enough though.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.