snow on Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) seedheads
Frigid Friday was given the week off for Christmas, and it wasn't even frigid here in Chicagoland (a balmy 44F/6.5C) on Christmas Day. All the snow melted off the driveway and patio, and in some areas (not in my yard) the grass was visible. Then, late in the day the temperature dropped and the rain changed to snow. It didn't stop for 24 hours. The forecast called for 1-3 inches. Not even close, folks. There was so much snow, after the plow came in the morning, we didn't see it again for another 12 hours. Maybe we didn't get as much as Maryland and Oklahoma have gotten recently, but it was enough to render us snowbound for most of the day, ending up with about 9 inches. Luckily, the snow was of the light, fluffy, easily shovelable variety.
While VIS and I shoveled the driveway (repeatedly), the girl was excited about playing in the snow.
I took a couple of photos after round one of shoveling in the morning, and then, because it was snowing so hard, I had the bright idea to take photos of the same thing throughout the day.
I took a couple of photos after round one of shoveling in the morning, and then, because it was snowing so hard, I had the bright idea to take photos of the same thing throughout the day.
There was no snow on the patio the day before, but the garden was still under snow. In fact, I haven't seen the little plants in the garden in a few weeks. For all I know, the Snowdrops (Galanthus elwesii) might be in bud. The last time I saw them, they had sprouted and, as this photo from December 1st shows, the Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger) was starting to bud.
Now they're completely buried. It'll be a long time before I see any blooms outside again. Have you had any snow lately?
23 comments:
Not much snow here in Indianapolis. Just a heavy dusting and a few flurries this morning. The prediction is for 1 - 2 inches, but I don't think we'll get that much.
I like your pictures showing morning and afternoon. It shows how in just a few hours, a lot of snow can fall!
Stay warm, dreaming of those little blooms under the snow!
We are sunny and above freezing right now, but snow is supposed to come tonight and give us about half a foot.
We got about the same as you, we figure around 10 inches. At least it provided material for a good snowball fight today.
That is a lot of snow. We've only have a few flurries so far.
It is flurrying like crazy here right now. I doubt it sticks but one never knows this time of year.
The timed photos are interesting. The reindeer were buried. I hope they survive.
No snow in Eugene, Oregon yet this winter. We had a deep freeze for about a week which did a number on on of my rhodys, but now it's just wet and cold. Yuk.
Cindee
Torrential rain this morning melted much of our snow from last week's storm. Glad the girl is having such a great time. Who says swing sets are for summer?
Fabulous idea with the time-lapse photography in the snow. I wish I had thought of that!
Thanks for the link love too!
Robin
It's getting milder here, supposed to rain, then get cold again over the next couple of days. We have a couple of inches of snow in our yard, but a couple of miles either way from us, next to nothing. Weird weird weather.
Great idea to show the same scenes at different times, MMD--you really did get the snow! I will stop complaining about no snow--it started here on Christmas Day and hasn't let up since. Looks like your daughter was really enjoying the snowfall; I prefer to watch it from the living room window:)
The snow is gorgeous! Let's hope it's insulating those plants from the frigid cold that's surely there now...We are having dips into the low 20s here, but, Not one snow flake has shown it's beauty. None...plenty of rain and today the sun was out teasing us. Tonight there's a chance of a flurries! HA!
Gail
Hi MMcD~~ To go from 44 warmth to 9 inches of fluffy snow is quite a weather event, isn't it? No snow here, thank God but a misty frost a few days ago made the landscape white. I hope all your plantings are fine, tucked into their winter homes.
Yes, surprisingly we did have some snow here but unfortunately it started to rain hot water on Christmas Eve so instead of a white Christmas we had a slushy one. Now the snow is all gone and it's very mild outside with loads of rain.
The children in my neighbourhood enjoyed the snow very much as we don't have it often.
Love the pics you shot of the disappearing little reindeer in the snow. Nine inches is quite a bit.
Season's Greetings and a Very Happy and Healthy New Year to you and yours!
MMD, great time lapse photos. They really show how quickly the white stuff can accumulate. Such fun for the kids.
We had rain for days and then finally snow! Have maybe 5-6" with some blowing and very cold temps. I haven't been out of the house sence Christmas Eve!
We saw a dozen snowflakes on Xmas Eve but nothing more in Austin. But we found enough patches of snow to have snowball fights on a post-Xmas trip to Dallas/Ft. Worth. My kids would have gone bonkers over your snowfall.
We had another three inches this morning - hiding the ice underneath, that formed after Saturday night's heavy RAIN. If its not one thing its another.
We have had the same miserable weather here. Friday night between the morning rain and the evening snow the roads were a sheet of ice.
I had planned to go to a few after Christmas sales but didn't make a single one.
Marnie
Carol - It's really interesting how different winter is in our gardens, even though we're in the same Zone.
Kathy - this storm is heading your way. Hopefully it won't get stuck in the spin there like it did here.
ROR - I think we did get more than 9 inches, but some melted down, as the snow seems more dense now.
Phillip - 10 inches of light & fluffy isn't as much as 7 inches of wet & heavy. If that makes any sense.
Lisa - I the deer were worried about the reindeer too. I found tracks going up my driveway and walk to where the reindeer were buried.
Cindee - I think that's worse, cold with no snow. It's such a good insulator.
Layanee - the boy does! He was content to play videogames inside while she went on the swing and down the slide.
Robin - your snow was so impressive, and your photos captured it so well, that I can't stop thinking about it.
Jodi - it must be the effect of the ocean in your area that makes it even weirder, but even here, only about an hour south there wasn't hardly any snow.
Rose - I love watching the snow coming down too.
Gail - the snow is doing its job of insulating. I wish I had had time to dash out there in the rain on Christmas & take a better look.
Grace - the change isn't unprecedented. I'm told that the day before the Blizzard of 1967, it was in the 60s.
Thanks, Yolanda Elizabet! I guess playing in the snow is a big treat for Dutch kids (and dogs).
Beckie - that's a good snow you've gotten, plenty to protect the garden if it gets cold. Leaving the house in winter is vastly overrated.
Pam - snowball fights in Dallas are awesome!
CW - we had ice under the snow too. I'm trying to use as little ice melter as possible because I hate to run out of it.
Marnie - I did all my post-Christmas sale shopping online.
Love the snow! It must've been a very nice Christmas. I wish you a very happy New Year.
Oh, those little reindeer are so cute! And I love the way the snow is so soft and fluffy. Makes me almost (almost) wish we had snow here in San Diego.
No snow sightings here since December 4th! It's still hard to believe we got any at all, let alone that we got snow before you did!
Your girls are so lucky! My boys dream about snow. They are ready to go sledding. But, it's green and wet around...
Snow? Yep. We have it but not as much as many, many others. I love it, as long as it doesn't cause problems on the roadways. You were very clever in taking the "Snow in progress" photos. (Love those little deer!) Your daughter probably had a wonderful time sliding down her snowy sled.
(I should be making a snowman today - the conditions are perfect. But I don't want to.) ha.
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