Here in northeastern Maryland, over the last week, we’ve had two snowfalls, two blizzards, thunder snow and freezing rain. Yesterday we shot past the record for largest amount of snow in Maryland since records began to be kept in 1883 — we’re now at 72 + inches for the season. This is the first winter Maryland has had two snowstorms with snow accumulation totalling over 12 inches — and both of those storms — Dec. 19, 2009, and Feb. 6, 2010 — had over 20 inches. So we’ve also made the record for two snow storms over 20 inches. And that was before the current blizzard. For Maryland, the top three snowstorms since 1883 have occurred since 1996. And the winter of 1995-96 was the coldest in 98 years.
It’s been snowing this afternoon at the rate of two inches per hour and the blizzard is expected to last about three more hours, until 7 pm.
We’ve been very lucky so far. We’ve had electricity continuously, we have food for people and cats, and the medicines my father needs. The tree that was uprooted by the weight of the snow fell away from the house. It is a tough slog through the snow to the backyard because the snow is several inches over my knees and today’s blizzard totally filled in the path I made a couple of days ago, but I’ve been able to keep the bird feeders full.
I’ve hit my limit for shoveling snow — I’m in pain — but thrifty and industrious teens live nearby and I hope to hire some to dig us out tomorrow.
I haven’t looked at comments here or my e-mail for days because I’ve just been too tired and in too much pain. I’ll dig out from those, too, as soon as I can.
Prayers are still welcome. Thank you, gentle readers.
