Blizzard 2013

Friday , January 11^th 2013  We had our first Blizzard of the year.  Forecasts predicted upward to 75 cms of snow to fall with high winds.

I live on the Avalon Peninsula ( Carbonear) one of the areas predicted to be hit the hardest ( its located around the vicinity of the yellow 50 cm mark).Living in Newfoundland harsh winter weather is pretty much the Norm here as we are in the middle of the Atlantic.

the Cleanup

The Storm blew in late Thursday and gained momentum on Friday with wind speeds topping 110 km/h dumped from 25 to 55 cm of snow on the Avalon. Not exactly what was predicted but still reported as the worst storm in 7 years. The storm left the province at a standstill with everything from school closures to flight cancellations . The airport recorded wind gusts of more than 100 km/hr and 48 cm of snow before it changed to freezing drizzle in the afternoon.  Bonavista clocked winds as high as 130km/ hr.

Newfoundland Power reported roughly 60,000 customers were afflicted by the power outages across the province from the Avalon Peninsula, the Burin Peninsula, Clarenville and Gander all the way to Corner Brook on the west coast. We lost our power  6 am Friday morning  with it returning around 11:30 am  Saturday morning (although those on the south side of town had power back Friday afternoon  some residents in the valley never got power back til supper time Saturday.) I did get to work on Saturday but we closed early due to a downed power line that needed repair. Loves getting off early and still have power at home. Thanks to all those who braved the storm , left their families and worked above and beyond to give us power.

In St. John’s, snow-clearing crews were given the maddening task of plowing streets only to have two-metre high drifts blow right back in as the powerful storm raged across the island. We on the other hand had our neighbor come dig us out with his tractor (the next day)

Life is slowly returning to normal crews are out widening roads, everyone has power back and as we newfies do... we look back and say “ Sure dat Storm was nuttin, by’” ~ LOL

here's some more pics...

T.C Square Mall

Cousin Nicole

         

shovelling before the tractor got there...

Courtesy of Lisa Curran

a game of cards after supper was cooked on the wood stove

Courtesy of Cathy Downey of Brigus

Cathy shared this pic with the weather network after the blizzard 

Cathy Downey of Brigus, N.L. sent us today's chill (and smile!) inducing photo contest pick of her son Kyle after a Blizzard swept through their region. "Every Winter, we come up with one snow sculpture to create as a family," she wrote in the caption. "Last year we made the snow Hot Tub. This bed with night table seemed fitting as we all were a little tired and wanting a rest after shoveling out from this storm. Kyle's two sisters soon rolled him off and had a nap as well:) With the warmer temperatures today the bed is now a water bed!

 Do you have some winter storm pics you want to share?