Open Snow Thread

yup.

It snowed here last year too. This pic is my kid’s snow angel from last time.

snow angel3

Houston braces for about 2 inches of snow

Preparations under way, and some in Houston area may even see half a foot of the white stuff

HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Dec. 4, 2009, 8:29AM

Airport travelers should call 281-230-7000 to check flight status. Travelers can also check www.fly2houston.com.

To report icy streets, call 311.

HOUSTON WEATHER INFO AND MORE

Complete forecast, radar and more

SNOW INFO

See live traffic updates

22 tips for driving on slippery roads

School Zone: Updates on dismissals, closures

Snow talk: Chat with SciGuy at noon today

Vent or rejoice on Twitter

How to keep your pets warm, too

Tips for garden care in the cold

Houston is on track today to break a record with the earliest snowfall ever recorded in the city’s history.

Forecasters are still hedging their bets, but say the most likely scenario is 1 to 2 inches of widespread snowfall beginning this afternoon. Some areas could get up to a half a foot.

oh and did you hear? Unemployment is DOWN…!

… and the peasants rejoiced.

22 comments

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  1. Photobucket

    • Edger on December 4, 2009 at 16:04

    • TMC on December 4, 2009 at 16:38

    Today a little cooler but now in the 50’s. Tomorrow it will start to feel like a typical NYc winter Day. Misery on its way.


    Saturday, Dec 5

    Day

    High: 42°F RealFeel®: 32°F

    Colder with rain mixing with snow

    View the Hour-by-Hour Forecast

    Winds: NNE at 14mph

    Wind Gusts: 20 mph

    Max UV Index: Low (1)

    Thunderstorm Probability: 1%

    Amount of Precipitation: 0.53in

    Amount of Rain: 0.51in

    Amount of Snow: 0.0in

    Hours of Precipitation: 10 Hrs

    Hours of Rain: 10 Hrs

    Hours of Daylight: 9.4 Hrs

    Night

    Low: 34°F RealFeel®: 26°F

    Cold; a little snow ending in the evening followed by clearing

    View the Hour-by-Hour Forecast

    Winds: NNW at 14mph

    Wind Gusts: 21 mph

    Min UV Index: N/A

    Thunderstorm Probability: 0%

    Amount of Precipitation: 0.04in

    Amount of Rain: 0.00in

    Amount Snow: 0.2in

    Hours of Precipitation: 1 Hrs

    Hours of Rain: 0 Hrs

    Hours of Dark 14.6 Hrs

    Just enough to make driving and walking hazardous. Time to make a stew.

    Beef Stew with Potatoes and Carrots

    For braised beef:

       * 5 pounds boneless beef chuck (not lean), cut into 2-inch pieces

       * 3 tablespoons olive oil

       * 3 carrots, quartered

       * 3 celery ribs, quartered

       * 2 medium onions, quartered

       * 1 head garlic, halved crosswise

       * 3 tablespoons tomato paste

       * 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

       * 1 (750-ml) bottle dry red wine (about 3 3/4 cups)

       * 2 Turkish bay leaves or 1 California

       * 2 thyme sprigs

       * 3 cups reduced-sodium beef broth

       * 3 cups water

    For potatoes and carrots:

       * 2 1/2 pounds small white boiling potatoes

       * 1 1/2 pounds carrots

       * Equipment: a wide 6-to 8-quart heavy pot with a tight-fitting lid

       * Accompaniment: crusty bread

    Braise beef:

    Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.

    Pat beef dry and season with 2 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.

    Heat oil in pot over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then brown meat, without crowding, in 3 batches, turning, about 8 minutes per batch. Transfer to a platter.

    Reduce heat to medium, then add carrots, celery, onions, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until well browned, about 12 minutes.

    Push vegetables to one side of pot. Add tomato paste to cleared area and cook paste, stirring, 2 minutes, then stir into vegetables.

    Add vinegar and cook, stirring, 2 minutes.

    Stir in wine, bay leaves, and thyme and boil until wine is reduced by about two thirds, 10 to 12 minutes.

    Add broth to pot along with water, beef, and any juices from platter and bring to a simmer. Cover and braise in oven until meat is very tender, about 2 1/2 hours.

    Set a large colander in a large bowl. Pour stew into colander. Return pieces of meat to pot, then discard remaining solids. Let cooking liquid stand 10 minutes.

    Cook potatoes and carrots:

    While beef braises, peel potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch-wide wedges. Slice carrots diagonally (1-inch).

    Add potatoes and carrots to stew (make sure they are submerged) and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until potatoes and carrots are tender, about 40 minutes.

    Cooks’ note: Stew improves in flavor if made at least 1 day ahead. Chill (covered once cool) up to 5 days. Reheat, covered, over medium heat or in a 350°F oven.

  2. too much… but my insane husband is telling me to go get my daughter from school… and Im in the POS clunker back up car… the one with NO HEAT which means no defrost either. Her school is 5 miles or so from home. Her bus-stop (at 4PM) is 1/4 mile. He’s nuts. Im e-fighting him on this decision now. grrrr.

    update: Im winning the battle but Ill hear about it forevah! lol

    I think its “light snow” right now. melting as it hits ground. WORST. Driving. Conditions. possible. especially for a wimpy girl like me from Flahrida. gah.

  3. northern Illinois…no snow here yet…maybe next week. The number of snow storms that have missed us up here and hammered the southern states the last couple of years has been disturbing.

    I lived in Memphis for a couple of years in the 70’s, and always got a charge outta’ southern folk trying to drive in snowy conditions, not a clue, but you’re right, a light snow with a little ice is the worst. Ignore hubby and use the bus, just my opine.

  4. Turn your laptop 90 degrees to the right and look at the pic. I see a bear face with his paws,…. just me?

    • Miep on December 5, 2009 at 07:16

    Killed my phone line for a few days. We can go years without a winter storm in Carlsbad, so I guess it all waits to fall apart all at once.

    I really liked the 70’s fall weather up until now, though.

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