Cold Weather is Coming

By Clem
(2 votes) (report abuse)
Starting Saturday with maybe some snow it looks like we might be getting some pretty cold weather here in the valley. The weather forecast at MSN calls for temperatures dropping ranging between 23 degrees and -6 degrees between Saturday and a week from Thursday in Cle Elum. A couple of other weather sites were quite as pessimistic on the cold weather.


STRONG WINTER STORM SYSTEM THIS WEEKEND...

A SERIES OF DISTURBANCES WILL BRING A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE TO THE
WEATHER OVER THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST THIS WEEKEND. THE FIRST COLD FRONT
WILL MOVE THROUGH THE REGION BY FRIDAY NIGHT...FOLLOWED BY AN
ARCTIC COLD FRONT SATURDAY NIGHT. SNOW LEVELS WILL LOWER TO THE
COLUMBIA BASIN FLOOR SATURDAY NIGHT...AND WILL REMAIN VERY LOW
THROUGH EARLY NEXT WEEK. THE MOUNTAINS OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN
OREGON WILL LIKELY SEE THE HEAVIEST SNOW ACCUMULATIONS...ALTHOUGH
SOME SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE POSSIBLE IN THE LOWER VALLEYS AND IN
THE LOWER COLUMBIA BASIN. COLD TEMPERATURES ARE ALSO IN THE
FORECAST OVER THE WEEKEND AND EARLY NEXT WEEK. HIGH TEMPERATURES
IN THE 20S AND LOWER 30S AND OVERNIGHT LOWS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS AND
TEENS ARE EXPECTED BY MONDAY. AREAS WITH SNOW ON THE GROUND MAY
OBSERVE OVERNIGHT TEMPERATURES BELOW ZERO. VERY LOW WIND CHILL
READINGS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE IN A FEW AREAS SUNDAY AND MONDAY DUE TO
LOCALLY BREEZY WINDS.
SNOW byAngel Girl December 09, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Clem

I hope you get the snow you have been waiting for....if you do..."PLEASE" build me a snow man. I have never had the snow to do that.

I have never made a snow angel either...one day I WILL!!!
RE: SNOW byAngel Girl December 11, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Clem

I am happy to say,I built a snowman today "AND" made a snow angel.

Just saw on our local news channel (WBRZ) we recieved 5 inches of snow today....can you believe that?

I hope you get your snow this week-end...here's hoping your wish comes true.
OH YEAH byMC December 09, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
It can't get here soon enough!
RE: OH YEAH byAngel Girl December 09, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse)
MC do you and Clem live in CleElum?
Snow Shoverler's Diary from Cle Elum January 2008 byClem December 09, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Snow shoveler's diary. (LONG JOKE)
DIARY OF A SNOW SHOVELERDecember 8:6:00 PM. It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our cocktails and sat for hours by the window, watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses Print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!December 9:We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the Whole World? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had. Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snow plow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life!December 12:The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment. My neighbor tells me not to worry, we'll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I'll never want to see snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man. I'm glad he's our neighbor.December 14:Snow, lovely snow! 8" last night. The temperature dropped to *20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish I wouldn't huff and puff so.December 15:20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska, after all.December 16:Ice storm this morning. Fell on my ass on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like hell. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.December 17:Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. God I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.December 20:Electricity's back on, but had another 14" of the damn stuff last night. More shoveling. Took all day. freakin' snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.December 22:Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the white shit fell today, and it's so cold it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to piss. By the time I got undressed, pissed and dressed again. I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter; but he says he's too busy. I think the asshole is lying.December 23:Only 2" of snow today. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she...
nuts??? Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but I think she's damn well lying.December 24:6". Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the son of a bitch who drives that snowplow, I'll drag him through the snow by his balls. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at a 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was busy watching for the freakin' snowplow.December 25:Merry Christmas. 20 more inches of the @#$%^& slop tonight. Snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. God I hate the snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's an idiot. If I have to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" one more time, I'm going to kill her.December 26:Still snowed in. Why the hell did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.December 27:Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze.December 28:Warmed up to above-50. Still snowed in. THE BITCH is driving me crazy!!!December 29:10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave-in. That's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?December 30:Roof caved in. The snow plow driver is suing me for a million dollars for the bump on his head. The wife went home to her mother. 9" predicted.December 31:Set fire to what's left of the house. No more shoveling!January 8:I feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?
But the REALLY Good News is: byAureliux December 09, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Washington State has several #1 spots in world record categories.

One of those is for snow fall. And that is Stampede Pass and I don't remember how many hundreds of feet that record is but I was really impressed by the figure at the time.

1997, south ridge up above I-90 around exit 78 there was 11' in January...

Largest single piece of exposed granite IN THE WORLD is supposed to be in Kittitas County. Guess what it's called?

Last but not least and probably of little interest here but the world's largest octopus lives in Puget Sound, near Tacoma specifically in the Narrows where the bridge goes over.

Craziest snow storms in this county happens when the sky is blue, not a cloud in sight anywhere, but it blows down off the hills and drifts like mad in the low spots. Sun hits it, gets a little soft and glazed, then it gets REALLY cold at night so it sets up like concrete with an attitude. Snow blower? Yeah right...warm up the D-8 if you want to get through!

A.
RE: But the REALLY Good News is: byAlbert December 09, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Aureliux, your mention of record snowfall on Stampede Pass, are you referring to a record snowfall for Stampede Pass or an all around U. S. record snowfall?

I believe the all around U. S. record snowfall in a single season was 1998-1999 when a reported 1140 inches (95 feet)of snow fell on Mt. Baker.

Hopefully, no new snow records in Kittitas County this winter.
World Record Snowfall byAureliux December 10, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
It's been years since I've looked it up, Baker could have passed it up once. IF I remember right it was something like 135' of snow. Which I can't even begin to understand, much less the 95' measure...

Believe me, the 11' in Cle Elum was MORE THAN ENOUGH at once.

A.
The Record Snowfall for Cle Elum 7 Feet byClem December 10, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
The record depth on the ground was set December 31-January 1st 1996-97. The total snow fall that fell that year wasnt a record though. It started snowing that year on Halloween when the kids had to trudge through the snow. It continued snowing into November by the end of November there was maybe 2 feet of snow on the ground. It snowed in December pretty regular and then on December 31 it snowed until the depth reached 7 feet. That night the Moose roof collapsed in Ellensburg. The bowling alley in Cle Elum collapsed. In Roslyn the Village Pizza caught on fire and the owner ran out into the street when the fire started to get help and collapsed and died of a heart attack. Numerous hay barns collapsed throughout the county. Locally people made a little extra money by shoveling snow from roofs.

Interesting thing was that after the big snow of New Years it melted away over the next four weeks and January-February didnt get very much snow and winter ended early in the lower elevations.

Mount Baker does hold the record now but Paradise is pretty close. I just dont think they are as good at measuring snow at Paradise.
First Forecast 2-4 inches tomorrow byClem December 11, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Thats what the Weather Channel is predicting for the daytime tomorrow with significant snow in the evening. MC will be getting out the sled dogs while I put the studded tires on my bike. The two bike tires have 296 studs in each tire. They dont really help much on loose snow but on compact snow and ice there isnt much difference between that and bare pavement. MC and I will have to post up some snow pics when it happens. Fun stuff for a day or two.
RE: First Forecast 2-4 inches tomorrow byMC December 11, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
I've never tried studded tires. How do they work on regular pavement- not at all, squirrely handling, OK but slow, ???

Might have to start waxing the XC skis over the next couple nights....
Studded Tires for Bike? byAureliux December 16, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
They really make those? I've never heard of them, are they the solid waffle kind with no air? Sounds interesting, mind sharing more info on those?

Thanks!

A.
Thurs. the 11th byCleElum1 December 11, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Here's something I came across,

EAST SLOPES OF THE SOUTHERN CASCADES OF WASHINGTON-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CLE ELUM...EASTON...ROSLYN...NACHES...
GOLDENDALE...APPLETON...TROUT LAKE...BICKLETON
314 PM PST THU DEC 11 2008

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON...

A WINTER STORM WATCH FOR HEAVY SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY
AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

HEAVY SNOW WILL BEGIN FRIDAY AFTERNOON WITH ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 TO
14 INCHES BELOW 3500 FEET BY SATURDAY EVENING. BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW DUE TO GUSTY WINDS WILL BE POSSIBLE AT TIMES...
MAINLY FRIDAY NIGHT.



WWW.WEATHER.GOV/PENDLETON
RE: Thurs. the 11th byMC December 11, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse)
I realize that some peeps are going to be very unhappy about that forecast but....
OOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH YYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!

Here are my favorite local weather links FWIW:
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=pdt&smap=1&tex
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?site=pdt&smap=1&tex
http://www.nwac.us/~nwac/products/SABNW
http://i90.atmos.washington.edu/roadview/i90/

And for real fun, click the link below and then for forecast element choose "snow amount" in the drop-down and hit the "play" button.
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/forecasts/graphical/sectors/washingt#tabs
Thank You for the facts... byAureliux December 11, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Thank you for helping fill in the holes in my faulty recollections.

Crazy week so far, when I'm out of the shade and in the daylight it's too hot for anything but lightweight attire. Cloud rolls by or get in the shade and it's freezing again. 5 minutes after the sun drops it's parka time.

Hope however the weather acts up, everyone is ready and prepared for it. Stay safe, keep warm, and please be careful.

Can't even begin to imagine having a tornado watch AND getting a snow storm in Louisiana. Unbelievable.


A.
Front Page of the PI this AM byAureliux December 12, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
OK, front page of the Sea Tattle PI this AM, and I wont' bore you with the link, but they are loudly proclaiming that this could be the worst one since the 1990 blast.

Anyone remember how many days Snoqualmie was closed for that one? Seems like the skiers got caught up there for at least one overnighter before it was opened enough to get them down.

I do believe I'll stay inside and watch through the DOT cams. Won't have to deal with tire chains, 4WD and uninitiated motorists creating hazards that way.

Good luck, everyone! And I can only hope that it's all under control by Monday morning!

This WILL be the one thing that WILL keep me off my bicycle.

What are you going to do, Clem? :-) Want to go bowling?

A.
RE: Front Page of the PI this AM byAngel Girl December 12, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Aureliux....if I were in Ellensburg I would ask if I could join you for a friendly bowling match!!!
CleElum Snow for CleElum1 byAngel Girl December 12, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I watched a KNDO-KNDU weather snip-it and looks as if all of you in CleElum are getting pounded with snow!!!!

The temperature here in Baton Rouge will reach the mid 70's tomorrow.I will be thinking about you when I wear my shorts....

I hope you are all ok and prepared for what looks like one heck of a storm....

Clem....looks as if one of the Christmas fantasy's I gave you is comming true....ENJOY!!!!
RE: CleElum Snow for CleElum1 byCleElum1 December 12, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Hey Angel Girl,

Not for me, snow that is. It's for Clem and MC. I'm not a winter person, more like a "hot house" plant, ha!

How you doing? You got a Christmas Tree up? How about a pic if you do?
RE: CleElum Snow for CleElum1 byAngel Girl December 12, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
I have not had time to put up a tree at home..I have decorated my restaurant with a tree and other decorations. Should I retrieve my camera, I will take a few shots of the interior of the store.

Until I see my son, I have no camera!!!
RE: CleElum Snow for CleElum1 byCleElum1 December 12, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Thanks, that'll be something for me to look forward to.
Maybe some other folks out there have their tree up and can post a pic, too.

Is your snow gone?
RE: CleElum Snow for CleElum1 byAngel Girl December 12, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Yes, our five and a half inches of snow is almost gone, all that's left is slush
Snow byAngel Girl December 12, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
How much snow would you say has fallen already????
RE: Snow byAngel Girl December 12, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
I will going out for dinner...I will check back with you later.
RE: Snow byCleElum1 December 12, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Hope you guys enjoy yourselves and we'll talk another time. We have appox. 3", so far.
Im Back byAngel Girl December 12, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
How is the weather? Is it still snowing in CleElum?

My daughter told me earlier that, Ellensburg has had a few flurries..she and the children are really hoping for a good snowfall.
RE: Im Back byCleElum1 December 12, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
How was supper? What did you have? Yes, it's still snowing here in CE !!!!!! I-90 is closed both directions between CE and E'burg because of all the accidents. I-90 over the pass is a mess.
Hi CleElum1 byAngel Girl December 12, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
We ate Chinese....It was nice being served for a change.

I bet it is COLD up your way??? Brrrrr
RE: Hi CleElum1 byCleElum1 December 12, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
As of 7:45 tonight,

EAST SLOPES OF THE SOUTHERN CASCADES OF WASHINGTON-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CLE ELUM...EASTON...ROSLYN...NACHES...
GOLDENDALE...APPLETON...TROUT LAKE...BICKLETON
237 PM PST FRI DEC 12 2008

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 12 PM PST
SATURDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 12 PM PST
SATURDAY.

HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON.
BY SATURDAY AFTERNOON...SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WILL REACH 10 TO 20
INCHES IN THE EAST SLOPES OF THE CENTRAL WASHINGTON CASCADES...AND
8 TO 12 INCHES IN THE EAST SLOPES OF THE SOUTHERN WASHINGTON
CASCADES. BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW DUE TO GUSTY WINDS WILL BE
POSSIBLE AT TIMES...MAINLY TONIGHT.

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SIGNIFICANT SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED. SNOWFALL INTENSITIES WILL BE HEAVY
ENOUGH TO SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE VISIBILITIES AT TIMES. FOR
ADDITIONAL WEATHER INFORMATION...CHECK OUR WEB SITE AT
WWW.WEATHER.GOV/PENDLETON.
RE: Hi CleElum1 byAngel Girl December 12, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Very interesting...I checked out the weather web site in Pendleton.
No Big Snow Yet byClem December 12, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
They cancelled the big winter storm watch earlier today because the storm ended up tracking further north 100 miles. It started snowing again an hour ago though and this time it might last for a while and add to the meager 3 inches. We need to get maybe 12 inches or so of snow before the big freeze hits.

I am not really that much of a winter person at all and my long term dream is to live somewhere much warmer than the NW-Arizona. My son loves the winter. He does all the winter disciplines, down hill skiing, XC-skiing, snow shoeing, and snowmobiling. He was born in the NW and when he was very young we put him in ski school for six straight years. I grew up in Southern California. On Christmas morining we all went outside with our stuff and checked out what the kids in the neighbor had. It was always warm and sunny. There was never one cold rainy X-Mas.

I had a pair of shoe shoes and gaiters and I havent seen them for awhile. Definitely going to get the studs on the bike though this weekend.

MC's dogs are probably pretty excited because this is what they live for. A normal dog would not like pulling a sled. Sled dogs especially the huskies love this stuff.
RE: No Big Snow Yet byAngel Girl December 12, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Clem,are huskies as big and pretty as they look on TV?
Alaskan Huskies versus Alaskan Malamute byClem December 12, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
MC can answer this better than I can. But the dog most people think of as a Husky is actually an Alaskan Malamute. They are big dogs maybe even going over 100 pounds. The Alaskan Husky which isnt really a recognized breed is a little smaller and it has I think less fur. Its bred mostly for pulling sleds. The Washington Husky mascot is actually a Malamute. Either of these dogs would make great outdoor dogs for the Cle Elum area as they like being outside and can tolerate very cold temperatures. MC knows the scoop on pulling sleds. There are quite a few people who have sled dogs around here. If you had two or three of these sled dogs you could hook up a light weight sled and have your dogs pull you up to Roslyn via the Coal mine trail. I have seen people do it.
Bad All Over byCleElum1 December 12, 2008 (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Yah, the west side is getting hit hard:
Storm batters area with winds; snow and cold up next

SEATTLE -- A strong winter storm brought rain and strong winds to the Pacific Northwest Friday afternoon, knocking out power to over 10,000 and blocking a few roads.
But the weather headlines were just beginning, as this storm was the kickoff to a week of very chilly weather, with possibly the greatest arctic outbreak since 1990 looming
http://www.komonews.com/news/36086094.html

Just some of what I'm finding,
98% of all Americans say... byAureliux December 12, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
A winter statistic ......



98% OF AMERICANS SAY 'OH SH_T'

BEFORE GOING IN THE DITCH ON A SLIPPERY ROAD.

THE OTHER 2% ARE FROM ALASKA AND THEY SAY,

"HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS!"


OK, I couldn't help but stick in a winter related joke. Hope it doesn't offend anyone.

A.
RE: 98% of all Americans say... byCleElum1 December 12, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Oh ... that was just was too funny !!! We laughed our arse off!!!!
huskies byMC December 12, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Siberian huskies and Malamutes are the dogs most people envision when we say 'sled dog'. These are AKC purebreds that are sometimes used recreationally, less often for racing. The AKC doesn't do much to promote dogs in their original working roles- but that's another rant....

Alaskan huskies are extreme high performance mutts. Their origins are from the Yukon/Kuskokwim rivers in Alaska, but since then people just bred the best/fastest to the best/fastest with a lot of greyhound, scent hound, collie, setter, pointer, etc etc etc folded in along the way.

There are still larger alaskans that hark back to the old freighting/trapping teams that are 60-100 pounds, but these are becoming rare. Most racing dogs are 40-50ish pounds, with a few "minis" down in the 30s. Nobody cares about color or ears or other 'beauty pagent' type things so they come in a very wide variety of shapes... however, many will show at least a little greyhound shape in their head & build. Coats vary from the classic thick fuzzy to flatter to smooth- just depends on what the musher is doing and what temps the dog is likely to face. Thicker coated dogs are more popular in Alaska and Canada and for folks more into camping out, whereas down here many mushers favor a lighter coated dog so they don't overheat as easily- especially for sprint racing where the dogs go in a box every night.

Alaskans come in as many personality flavors as colors and ear set, but they are almost entirely bred for athletic performance, trainability, and usually a complete lack of aggression towards other dogs and people. Unlike siberians or malamutes, many can be trained to stick around off-leash. Some of them can be sensitive and take some gentle handling (that's probably the greyhound showing through), some are harder headed (that would often be the more modern pointer crosses), but they're all tough, usually sweet working dogs with mind boggling physical capabilities.

Would they make good pets? In many cases yes. However, nobody should own a dog bred to run 100 miles in 24 hours or 20-30 miles at 20+mph without getting a realistic bead on their physical and mental exercise requirements. Sometimes there's an alaskan that just doesn't have that burning desire to run, and mushers will attempt to place them as pets... these can often work out VERY well if they're socialized like they should be, because in that case they've been around a whole lot of dogs, handled by a whole lot of people, drug around on the truck to a whole lot of places, etc. Bomb proof + non-aggressive + highly trainable is always a good combination IMO.
Snow in E-burg byAureliux December 13, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Might have one whole inch on the ground, started sticking around 9:00 last night.

Did my own tradition this morning with the snow on the ground. No idea when I started it, but I went out and walked in it bare foot.

Great note on the sled dogs, by the way. Really appreciate that! I've never had one as a pet but I've never had a bad experience with one that belonged to someone else.

One of the impressions that I had was that a lot of the sled dogs had some kind of wolf mix in them?

A.
RE: Snow in E-burg byMC December 13, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
There are always rumors floating around about village dogs mixed with wolves long ago. However, those stories are almost impossible to verify, and the documented experiences with wolf-hybrids more recently has been a near complete bust. Wolves and wolf crosses typically just don't make good sled dogs (they don't make good pets either FWIW- people should really stop breeding them and let wolves be wolves).

And another important note: siberians and mals are often very beautiful, very friendly dogs... but they have their own brand of mayhem. Many end up in shelters because their owners weren't prepared for what a challenge they can be. They can be predatory, noisy, destructive, escape artists, tend to value 'creativity' over obedience, and 99% of them should NEVER be let loose (they'd rather run around and get in trouble than come back).

More info:
http://www.petharbor.org/snowdogs.htm
http://www.malamuterescue.com/soyou.html
Terriers are great dogs byClem December 14, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I cant believe I only have one dog. A rat terrier. They arent really great family dogs because they go ballistic around strangers and dont really like small children. The other thing about a lot of terriers is that they spend a lot of waking hours thinking about killing something. My dog sits around looking out the window looking for a cat or something small to walk by. It can do this for hours on end. Interesting how dogs are bred for 200 years or more for something like killing rats and now they are supposed to be nice gentle pets? I would like a big dog again but I think I am out voted on that one.

Back to the weather. There is no let up in sight for the cold. The 10 day forecast doesnt show anything above 24 degrees. The last time it was this cold was late December 1990 into January. Temps back then were in the -5 to -15 range. We will probably test the -5 on Monday and Tuesday. This could be a pretty decent cold snap though because it has started early in Mid December. Anyone who can remember back far enough knows that three weeks of very cold weather is possible.
RE: Terriers are great dogs byAureliux December 16, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
I like terriers, my uncle had a little rat terrier and it was a real friendly little family dog that liked everyone. It went with me when they visited and it was actually really good help moving cows around.

But it was super high energy and never quit, always on the run and very happy to please. When it was tennis ball time my arm would wear out before it would stop running and wanting to chase and retrieve.

Friend of mine has a couple of Jack Russels. Great dogs, very friendly and high energy of course. Makes me want to have one or two, or a dozen!

Uncle's terrier did do a serious amount of damage to any rodent found. Never bothered a cat, was somewhat mystified about squirrels in the trees though. Got along great with our other dogs, large or small.

Did have to get used to the little hunter's treasures laid out on the porch that it would show off and be proud of. Voles, mountain beavers, big field mice, and everything inbetween. Suppose it would have happily harvested gophers if we'd had any. Glad they weren't around.

A.
Long Johns byAngel Girl December 14, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Sounds to me you need to pull out your long johns!!! Ha!!!

I don't think it has ever been that cold here in the south?
RE: Long Johns byCleElum1 December 14, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse)
I'm like Clem, don't like thermals, but I'm wearing them, plus fleece, and heavy denim shirt/jeans. I'm totally layered-up. It's 12 degrees with an appox. 10 mph breeze. The NOAA wind chill chart puts it at somewhere between 3 above and -4 below at noon today. I'm thinking of you A.G.
I have the perfect house heater byClem December 14, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I dont like long johns but If I have to wear them I will. Anyone who lives around here has the stuff. Silk underwear is decent but it doesnt keep you all that warm. REI has a nice selection of stuff and they will probably be pretty busy this week. I bought a pair of gloves in Roslyn a week ago but I am not sure they will be enough for this cold.

I have a Toyostove oil heater which a few months ago when heating oil was $4.50 per gallon delivered I was thinking of replacing. Yesterday I paid $1.82 per gallon at the Cenex. At that price it is about the same as natural gas and cheaper than pellets. The Toyostove is great because it automatically cycles between three heat levels. Most of the time it stays at the low level. It uses about 45 gallons of oil per month from Nov-March.
RE: I have the perfect house heater byClem December 25, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse)
Well not quite the perfect heater. Two days ago I noticed some oil was leaking onto the drip pan. One of the problems with these gravity feed heaters is that if a leak develops you could have a very big problem as in tearing out carpet and flooring right down to the joists. A good reason a lot of folks have basement oil furnaces.

I took the heater apart and tightened all the fittings and a couple looked very suspicious as did the pump. While cleaning things up i brushed against the ignitor wires which broke off the ignitor. It being Christmas Eve I thought I was going to be SOL finding a new ignitor. My luck with soldering isnt real good and with the heat produced I wasnt sure solder would last. I called the tech service for the heater in Alaska who gave me the home phone for a guy in Ellensburg who services the heater. I was in luck on Christmas Eve as the serviceman in Ellensburg had the part and he met me in Eburg on Christmas Eve an hour or so later. The fix was pretty easy.
Yup Angel Girl, it's COLD! byMC December 14, 2008 (3 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Today's costume:
2 pairs of poly/nylon/wool socks + hiking boots + nylon gaiters
Polypro tights + mid weight poly exercise pants + insulated bib overalls
Cotton/nylon undershirt + poly long sleeve bike shirt + heavy fleece pullover + goretex shell jacket
Mid weight full finger bike gloves + neoprene wrist gaiters + thinsulate shell gloves
Heavy fleece neck gaiter
Buff headscarf + 'elmer fudd' fur lined hat w/ ear flaps

It all worked well for the couple hours I was out, but my toes still got a little cold. Probably should have worn the heavy snow boots instead. My next big cold weather clothing purchase will be Neos overshoes... a lot of Iditarod guys using those now over hikers or even running shoes with rave reviews.
PS: Yup Angel Girl, it's COLD! byMC December 14, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse)
PS: yes, this all adds up to a metric ton more laundry in the winter as compared to summer.
RE: Yup Angel Girl, it's COLD! byAngel Girl December 14, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Ha!!!Ha!!! Please send a picture...I'm sure you look cute
About those overshoes? byAureliux December 14, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse)
Mind sharing more info on those? Kind of sounds like I'm caught up with almost everything else you mentioned but I hadn't heard of those yet.

Some of the best warm under everything else things that I have found that gives my poor tired old legs a real break are found at www.comfilon.com Not cheap, might look weird, but these are not your mother's pantyhose.

A.
RE: Yup Angel Girl, it's COLD! byCleElum1 December 14, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse)
Aureliux,
I had to check out your site and all I can say is, "Wow". If ordering a pair would make JD look like any of the models I'd be "up" for that!!!!!! At any Price!!!!!
Another Old Winter Joke byAureliux December 14, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Had to do with a long, cold winter on the range...
Cowboy came to a nice creek with a smooth rock in the bright warm, spring sun...
Took his boots off...

And found 6 pairs of socks he couldn't remember owning!

A.
Cold Weather Is Coming ??? byCleElum1 December 14, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
It's here as far as I'm concerned. It's 10 degrees in CE / wind chill -4, and 8 degrees at my place(I'm out of town and by the river where it's always a couple of degrees colder)/ wind chill -7. That's cold any way you slice it. Angel Girl, where are you when the going gets cold, ha?
RE: Cold Weather Is Coming ??? byAngel Girl December 14, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse)
I'm working hard trying to send you some warm weather girlfriend!!!
RE: Cold Weather Is Coming ??? byCleElum1 December 14, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse)
Oh yah, I'm ready, get set, go! How's you day? 65 and balmy?
RE: Cold Weather Is Coming ??? byAngel Girl December 14, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse)
At the moment, it is 65 outside.
RE: Cold Weather Is Coming ??? byCleElum1 December 14, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Unbelievable!!!!
RE: Cold Weather Is Coming ??? byAureliux December 14, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse)
Seems to be a real fine powdery snow coming down in E-burg right now. Sky hasn't cleared all day. Sure as heck is cold outside right now.

A.
65 Degrees byAngel Girl December 14, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Can you believe how warm it has gotten AFTER the snow we recieved?
RE: 65 Degrees byCleElum1 December 14, 2008 (0 votes) (report abuse)
No, I can't imagine, it's tropical ... did you son come to visit today?
Cold weather clothing byMC December 14, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Neos:
http://www.overshoe.com/recreational/products/insulated.php
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/campmor/manu_list.jsp?ma

I'd vote for the Nav 5 if I had the money right now.

And I'd laugh about the pantyhose thing except that I know it works. These days I mostly use spandex and/or polypro tights as a winter base layer since I've got them for cycling anyway.
RE: Cold weather clothing byAureliux December 15, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Know what you mean! I have the bike gear, too and it's great. Layered up right I think it's about the best thing going.

Think it was Joe Namath, New York Jets years ago that got tired of being cold playing football and gave womens panty hose a spin. Now most players wear something like that under the uniforms.

Comfilon is the only outfit that I know of that makes these just for men.

Some may think it looks goofie and weird but I can't stand being cold and uncomfortable when it's not necessary. I'm already old and cranky, don't need to be miserable too!

Have a great day out there today, everyone! Stay warm and safe and we'll check in again later...

New white powder coating on everything in E-burg, sky is spotty and half clear. And it's darn cold out there.

A.
Weather Today byAngel Girl December 15, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
How much snow have you recieved as of this morning?

I may work a double today, if so it may be tomorrow before I can get back with you.

This morning the temperature in Baton Rouge is already at 65... I'm sure it will be getting much warmer and the humidity will return.

I hope you all are doing well and staying warm (if it were possible..I would deliver you a hot pizza with a side of gumbo)

Have a good day everyone
RE: Weather Today byAureliux December 15, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Thin crust, anchovies and black olives with extra cheese, please!

Wow, double shift... Been a few years since I pulled one of those off.

Just a very light dust of new snow here but it's really cold.

Have a great day and I'll check in again later,

A.
My Southern Workaholic Friend byCleElum1 December 15, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Angel Girl,

You "will" be missed, so, I will hope for a "quick-easy" day for you!

Can I pretend to order up that gumbo you mentioned, piping-hot, with a side of side puppies, and a tumbler of ice sweet tea - hold the lemon, please. Thank you, ma'am! Gratefully appreciated.
Workaholic??? byAngel Girl December 16, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Hi CleElum1

I will be working a double again...I prefer to do it myself rather than train someone to work for a few day's....to much to learn for temp help!!!

How is the weather up your way???? I haven't had the time to phone my daughter and ask her?

CleElum1 I would gladly deliver you a bowl of gumbo with a large sweet tea(house wine of the south)"IF" it were possible...BUT thousand's of miles seperates us making it a out of my delivery range...Ha!!Ha!!!
RE: Workaholic???No Harm Meant .. byCleElum1 December 16, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Sorry, didn't mean anything by it, just friendly teasing. As someone who worked a years worth of hours in 9 mos, who am I to rib anyone, ha!

Sure good to hear from you though! It was -8 here at the house but thats a couple degrees worse than CE and a couple degrees from E/burg as well, from what I heard on the E'burg radio at 8 a.m. this morning.

Well, since there's that thousands of miles issue between you and I, then the least I should do is pick it up myself, ha, ha.

If only I could !!!!! JD hit the lottery today! He gave me my half and told me not to spend it all in one place, all $3.00 !!!!!!!

You can do me one favor, don't let yourself get too run-down !!!!!!!! Take care of you, girlfriend!!!!
RE: Workaholic??? byAngel Girl December 17, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Good Morning CleElum1,sorry if I sounded as though I were barking at you...trust me I wasn't.

My employees get on to me "ALL" the time about working tooooooo much and not setting back relaxing when I have the chance.....so as you can imagine,they "do" call me a workaholic.

Try as I may, I can't help but get totally involved with the everyday operations of my business...one day I "WILL" let them work without my assistance?????

Anyhow, I have a recipe I came up with.... I hope you will enjoy it?

Christmas Candy from the kitchen of Angel Girl:

6 cups Corn Chex
3 cups pretzel sticks (the thin ones)
1 jar (16 oz) dry roasted peanuts
1 package(14oz) Reeses Pieces
1-1/2 pounds almond bark candy coating, melted

In a large bowl,combine the first 4 ingrediants.Pour almond bark coating over cereal mixture,stir until coated.Spread onto waxed paper-lined baking sheets Refrigerate for 15 minutes "OR" until set. Break into pieces.Store in airtight containers.

I make this for my staff every year.I divide it and stuff into festive bags for them.

I have been known to add more Almond Bark and Reeses Pieces... I "LOVE" Reeses Pieces...probably more than E.T. Ha!!!Ha!!!

I'm sure you have seen recipes similar...
RE: Hello Frozen CleElum1 Friend byAngel Girl December 17, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Sorry it is so cold your way..I would gladly share the warmth we are having if I could.

I would prefer your weather!!!

How is JD doing?
-4 Degreees in Cle Elum byClem December 16, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
This will easily be the coldest weather in 18 years. The long range forecast doesnt show an end to the cold weather. I will have to put the studded tires on the bike today. Maybe stop by and see MC and get a picture. I have had walking pneumonia for the past week so decided to lay low rather than getting full blown pneumonia. My shoes are marginal though. If you can put up with it you can freeze your toes for a couple of hours.

The tudded tires are Nokian made in Finland. They are just regular mountain bike tires with lots of studs. I paid $150 for the set including shipping. A little over a month ago I bought four like new Nokian Hakkapelita studded tires for my car in Eburg for $150. Those tires are really incredible. They are really looking like a bargain. The car is very stable on ice. I tested the tires and went up a fairly steep snowy road.
Thank You byAureliux December 17, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Thank you very much for the info on studded tires. I had no idea they were available for bikes, too.

What is so different about the ones you have for your car?

E-burg has about 2" new powder and it's still coming down slow and fine.

A.
Nokian Hakkapeliita Tires byClem December 18, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
The tires are made in Finland and are most commonly used in Finland and Russia. Whats special about them is that they combine the technology of studless tires with studded tires. The old style studded tires are simply all season tires with studs. They are relatively inexpensive for example $70 per tire. A studless snow tire might cost $100 per tire. The Nokian Hakkapeliita would be another $20 or so to maybe $120 each. Cooper Tires and others have come out with similar tires that combine studding and the soft rubber compound of studdless tires. They claim shorter stopping distances and better traction.
19 Inches in Cle Elum byClem December 18, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Thats the total snow depth on the ground and its still snowing. In a typical winter the average maximum snow depth reaches 27 inches. The total averag snowfall for the year is about 77 inches. Even with all the snow we are probably a little behind getting to 77 inches because there was no snow in November and very little the first two weeks of December.
RE: 19 Inches in Cle Elum byMC December 18, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Do you need some help? I was a little worried this morning when I went by your place and saw everything buried in. I can always sneak down there on lunch hour or after work and give you a hand.
I just unburied everything byClem December 18, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I just shoveled everything out. Trouble is I am at the mercy of the snowplow if they decide to shove things up against the three vehicles. One of the vehicles I am trying to sell from someone from S. Cle Elum. Taxpayers in this small town paid $225,000 for a new loader to go along with the other two loaders. Plus the city has places to dump snow along the RR track yet the only area they remove the snow is downtown. I am not sure why I should have to pay someone to remove the snow over to the tracks, thats why it looks like a mess.

Last year my neighbor didnt move his car for seven months. It was buried in snow all winter. No tickets-nothing. I did the same thing a couple of years ago and didnt move a car for a couple of days and got nailed with a $35 ticket. Its called "selective enforcement". Its always good for a laugh when you want to know how small towns work.
RE: I just unburied everything byMC December 18, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
I'll be skiing at lunch instead then. But the offer stands if/when you need it.
Light Dusting but it's awfully cold... byAureliux December 19, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Everything got dusted white and new again out there. It is really, really cold though.

Hit one of those sneaky across the road drifts yesterday. Thought I'd rear ended Mother Goose's ride for a minute, white fluffy stuff exploded all over the place and I was in a could of sparkling white/silver for a few seconds. Got through it OK, was only going about 20 mph and I'm sure glad it hadn't set up hard yet.

From the looks of things we never got much more than maybe 4" around here. But it can sure blow around and pile up in the darndest of places.

A.
Cle Elum Coldest Place In State byClem December 19, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
We are at 0 degrees this morning and Eburg is at 3.2. All other locations that I saw on Wunderground state chart were reading higher. The snow has settled down and I read 14 inches on the ground and 17 inches on my deck.

I drove back from Eburg on Hwy 10 yesterday. From Thorp Road to 970 it was only marginally plowed. I drove back at a decent speed I think 35-40 when I was passed by a guy in a Camry which I am pretty sure is only 2wd plus I doubt if it had ABS brakes. The only way I would drive like a nut would be with studless tires/studded, ABS and 4wd.
Will We Have A Thaw? .... byClem December 25, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Today was the warmest day since December 13 being that it got up to 22 degrees. I think the high since this cold snap started was 19. Its back to normal now at 15 degrees. All the snow we were supposed to have fell on the west slope of the Cascades. In other words North Bend got our snow. Never fear though the National Weather Service is calling for more snow tommorow night in their latest forecast.
8 inches of new snow and more on the way,,,, byClem December 27, 2008 (2 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
It snowed all night. It looks like its going to warm up a bit today with some of the weather stations between here and the pass reporting 32 or higher. We now have 23 inches total on the ground in Cle Elum. It looks like it could get messy up at the pass if they get a little bit of rain on top of the heavy snow. A pass closure wouldnt suprprise me.
RE: 8 inches of new snow and more on the way,,,, byAureliux December 27, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse)
Isn't that special, and to think that I was going to make a run up that way this AM. Had even thought about getting up and out of here extra early for the occasion.
Looks like I'm going to have to leave that for next week and tend to business in this neck of the woods.
Have been looking in the WADOT cams along I-90 through that corridor and it does not look inviting at all.
Can imagine that at some point it's all going to have to close soon for some periodic avalanche control?
SO no breakfast for me at the Cottage today, or lunch it appears. Darnit.
So if someone else eats all the peach cobbler now, I won't complain.

=-)

A.
The Ellensburg Daily Record is Buried..... byClem December 27, 2008 (1 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
I subscribe too the Times and the Record. Both carriers delivered papers. I found the Times but the Record slipped under a couple of inches of snow and was buried without a trace. That has happened before. Its always interesting to get your paper 3 months later...lol.

I think you could make it up here A with some decent studded tires or four-wheel drive. Dont go on Hwy 10 though. Its sometimes an after thought for the County.
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