We’ve been bracing all day for what is predicted to be a “huge” winter snowstorm about to hit Greater Denver. Tonight, they say. Actually, the warnings began coming several days ago. From the meteorologists. From the news stations. From the city. From NextDoor. Even from my HOA. And by huge they mean at least 10″ and more for the metro. Upper limits of 16″-18″ are predicted, with 2-4 feet predicted in the foothills and higher up. In some parts of the US that might not be notable, but here it is. Six inches is a really good snowfall in Denver and especially here in Thornton, north of Denver, where we usually get notably less than that.
But no worries. Being retired in this circumstance is like being a kid again. I don’t have to go anywhere or do anything other than sit inside, warm and cozy, watching the show outside. The car’s in the garage, and there are plenty of groceries in the house for myself and the pets. So I’m like a kid waiting for it all to descend upon us. Bring it on!
School and business closures started scrolling across the tv screen several hours ago. (They often don’t come until early the same morning.) Local news started showing jammed grocery stores and parking lots. If I weren’t so lazy, I’d probably be over by the window trying to spot the first flakes. News crews up in the mountains have already shown us how hard it’s snowing up there.
It’s going to be a mess for anyone who has to get out, or tries to get out, in it. But retirement means I won’t have to. So this is fun. Exciting. You’d think I was anticipating a day off school, a day on my sled, or even a day on skis if that were my thing (never has been). We haven’t had snow like this for several years at least.
So I can hardly wait to see what comes overnight. Ooo, this is going to be so good!
Crikey ! – I hope it matches your expectations, Colorado !! 😀
The weather here so often either underperforms or overperforms. I try not to have any expectations but the experts seem pretty sure themselves this time. We shall see …
When we had our big snow storm here a couple of weeks ago an out of state friend asked what we were going to do when the storm hit. I told him, simple, we’ve stocked up on frozen pizzas, milk, eggs and don’t need to go anywhere until the roads thaw out.
It’s a bit of an adventure as long as you don’t have to go anyplace. But I hope no one interprets this post as my not being concerned about those people do have to go out in what promises to be really awful conditions tomorrow. At best it will be unpleasant; at worst it will be extremely dangerous.
fun for a few days, but not easy for me as a commuter,
Oh I understand. I am SO happy to not have to do that anymore. My daughter-in-law had to get to downtown Denver this morning for her job. She made it, but getting home will be a different story since it’s supposed to keep snowing all day.
I hope she is safe, I’ve done that kind of drive much too often. I’m retiring at the end of June, so from then on, I’ll decide to drive somewhere or not –
She got home safely a little while ago. Yep one of the first advantages of being retired that I noticed and you will too is not having to drive in bad weather if you don’t want to.
We lived in Hawaii for 2 1/2 years. Paradise at first, but the weather actually became rather boring after a year or so. In January, some people wore sweaters!
I had a similar experience when we lived in Marietta (north Atlanta), GA. The seasons didn’t vary much and I really missed those changes.
Sweaters, eh? Such a hardship.
Enjoy the snowy scences. I have a grandgirl in Fort Collins and I don’t know if she’s calling in for a snow day or not.
I haven’t dug up any cameras in Fort Collins, but last time I looked at Greeley, they had no snow at all.
Correction: It is now snowing in Greeley.
The web cams in Fort Collins don’t look too bad.
We’re only getting like, average stuff here in Thornton (so far!), but south, west, and into the foothills look pretty awful in places — via webcams and local news reports.
I agree with you. A snow day is a good excuse to do nothing but read. I can’t get out even if I wanted to.
Once again, Thornton got off a lot easier than many other places. I could have gotten out if I’d wanted to, but I had zero need or interest in doing so. It’s beginning to look like tomorrow morning may be much the same, if not a bit worse. Mostly I spent today doing some laundry and watching “Suits.”
It’s probably because you live ther, me old darlin ! [grin]
Whatever the reason, we’re not complaining.
I got over 15″ at my house and it was a lot to clear. Luckily one of the neighbors did the sidewalk for me. I’m so glad that it seems to melting down pretty quickly this weekend.
I happen to be on a designated snow route, which means a plow comes through at least once. Two enterprising kids came by offering to clear the driveway and I was happy to pay them; I admire the kids who take the opportunity to earn a little pocket money instead of sleeping in on snow days. All paved areas here turned to slush pretty fast and all but shaded areas are now clear. I figured you’d probably gotten clobbered. Seems like the south side always takes a big hit.
I did put in some cash so I could pay off some teenagers to do the shoveling, but alas, none came. I need to collect a name and phone number. I used to live in a neighborhood where one of the Jeffco county commissioners lived; we always got shoveled right away after storms. Guess there isn’t anyone with that kind of pull in my current neighborhood…