Well... it's coming; the biggest snowstorm of the season. We've gotten so used to easy winters, that I'm sure this will come as a surprise to many Rhode Islanders...especially since it's nearly March, and we're all looking forward to Spring. I even have crocuses coming up in my yard!
Mention of this storm began a week ago. I'm a devoted fan of Channel 10, and Mark Searles is the best and most accurate meteorologist I've ever seen. As a Spotter for the NWS, I've been sending him weather reports for years, and have the honor of calling him my friend. When he gave the details of this potential storm, I knew that it would bear watching very closely.
As usual, Mark was right, though he doesn't quite think everyone will get the higher-end of the forecasted totals.
Find out what's happening in Smithfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
So here we are, making preparations: get out the shovels, the snowblowers, the thingy that goes on the car windshield...and oh yeah, don't forget the bread and milk, lol. While you're at it, if you heat your house with oil, make sure you're not running out!
ALSO, DON'T LET YOUR CATS GO OUTSIDE TODAY! If they don't come home tonight, not only will they be in extreme danger stuck out in the storm, but you'll be awake all night panicking. Keep them inside all day no matter what, and then they'll be no chance that they happen to not come home tonight and be out in the snow. In fact, I think I'll post a separate article saying this, in the hope that more people will see it.
Find out what's happening in Smithfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Another thing; it's supposed to be very windy, with gusts possible to 40mph+ depending on where you live. Take a look outside at what you might want to put in your garage or something, and check the batteries in our flashlights in case you lose power.
Next topic: driving. If you don't have to go out, stay home! The fewer people out on the roads, the easier it'll be for the plows to do their job...their very hard job. With the storm starting in the early hours after midnight, there's gonna be very tired plowers out there. Make their job easier, right?
If you're reading this article, I hope you take the forecast seriously. Don't be one of the 'oh, it'll miss us' people. Don't be one of the people who don't check your weather app before you go out. Make sure you get the details for your actual city; Narragansett could only get 4", but that doesn't mean that Burrillville will escape so easily!
I've loved weather all my life, but I didn't expect to possibly get a foot of snow from a single storm this year, especially since we got so little snow last winter. Still though, a storm is a distraction, and the drama of it is fun. At least I have nowhere planned to go this week!