Meteorologist's dire warning as arctic bomb to blast up to 20 INCHES of snow across bulk of America:

[cato potatoe]

GFS is throwing off another winter storm in the mid south next weekend (primarily snow), transitioning into a Nor'easter.  That model is always too far south though. 

The Carolinas will have all sorts of power outages this weekend.  I just left there, and the ground is cold.  Hopefully the maritime high will slide north and allow the temp to creep above 32F on Sunday afternoon. 

[roamer_1]

   I have limestone blocks stacked in the (true) 2X6 walls throughout my 100+ year old house, RF factor is dubious.
   But I have an old 40K BTU gas Dearborn heater in the living room which I will move into this weekend.

Yeah... That ain't right. Stone ain't an insulator. It's a hella good thermal mass, so it functions more for storing heat (or cold). The point being mass. We have stone houses here, but the walls are 2' thick. Mass. It takes a long, long time to get a stone house warm, but then you can let the fire burn out at night because the stone is radiating the heat back in. Different thinking.

[bigheadfred]

We have had the same weather since Christmas and it looks to be the same for the next ten days. Highs in the mid thirties and lows mid teens. We haven't gotten any snow all winter long. Looks like the snow level is above 5,000 feet. I am at 4,600 elevation.

Hey @roamer_1 .  what does your Snotel look like?

[mystery-ak]

Okay...the latest from central Il...up to 3in Sat and 4-8in Sun

I knew it was too good to be true that we weren't going to get any snow...

[roamer_1]

We have had the same weather since Christmas and it looks to be the same for the next ten days. Highs in the mid thirties and lows mid teens. We haven't gotten any snow all winter long. Looks like the snow level is above 5,000 feet. I am at 4,600 elevation.

Hey @roamer_1 .  what does your Snotel look like?

@bigheadfred

Flathead River Bsin (me), Kootenai, Clark Fork, and Bitterroot - All are in low yield, about 14% of normal.

Snow level is probably close to the valley floor (3000 ft), but there ain't hardly nothing there. Last I looked, Big Moutain was at around 56" Which is nothing.

We better get dumped on in feb and march, or it's gonna be a long, hot, dry summer. Fires for sure. I hate the smoke. Hate it.

[bigheadfred]

@bigheadfred

Flathead River Bsin (me), Kootenai, Clark Fork, and Bitterroot - All are in low yield, about 14% of normal.

Snow level is probably close to the valley floor (3000 ft), but there ain't hardly nothing there. Last I looked, Big Moutain was at around 56" Which is nothing.

We better get dumped on in feb and march, or it's gonna be a long, hot, dry summer. Fires for sure. I hate the smoke. Hate it.

Yeah. Grand Targhee has 69" base.  Should be at least twice that. Maybe three

[Canuck Conservative]

The Rockies usually get 2/3 of their snow in the spring storms (Feb-May) ... so don't give up yet!

(I'm in Calgary, this winter has been dry for us too)

[roamer_1]

Yeah. Grand Targhee has 69" base.  Should be at least twice that. Maybe three

It's that el Nino thing. Every time that's active, back east gets all our snow. Northwest gets a mild winter. El Nina, we get buried and back east gets nothing.

Weird.

[DB]

All I know about the weather is, it can change quickly. From no rain/snow to too much rain/snow in short order...

[libertybele]

Over 70% of Florida is experiencing drought conditions and  the rest  of the state is abnormally dry.

This is the 7th driest year in my county to date over the past 131 years (January-December 2025)  - Decrease of 11.64 inches from normal. 

I'm almost afraid to state this as hurricane season starts in May. 

[240B]

I have a few bricks of vacuum sealed powdered milk, powdered buttermilk, powdered eggs, powdered tomatoes, banana powder, cases of dried Ramen, dried vegetables of every kind, lots of dried fruits, and on like that.

I did it when I saw Biden was going to be the President. I really actually believed that it was the end. That is when I became a prepper.
Bought weapons and medical supplies. I have a self-installed bidet-toilet, so don't need much toilet paper.

Joe Biden and his controllers were not nearly as bad as I thought things were going to be. I thought it was going to be Thunderdome.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

I should buy a pallet of toilet paper. According to Americans, the most important survival item you can have in ANY emergency is lot of toilet paper. LOL!



I wonder what they did with all of it? Funny stuff. I never understood it.

They sure aren't going to Sheryl Crow's house.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

My wife's a snow removal machine, she had the entire driveway done before i got home this morning. She's just really into it for some reason.

By all means, hang onto that woman.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

When we were raising our kids when they were young and we were low on money --  powdered milk was relatively cheap and that's what we used a lot. IMO not bad in taste if your drink it very cold. 

We have several 10# cans of powdered milk. It will do in a pinch for sure.

I am one of 11 kids.  We drank 2 gallons of milk every day.

One kid every day went to milk store and bought a gallon, then we cut it with a gallon of powdered milk to have 2 gallons. 

I always wanted to go to store for the milk and cut it when I got home so I got to enjoy real unpowdered milk before it was cut.

To this day I will not permit my wife to get anything but whole milk as I spent too much of my youth having to drink the cut milk.

[roamer_1]

The Rockies usually get 2/3 of their snow in the spring storms (Feb-May) ... so don't give up yet!

(I'm in Calgary, this winter has been dry for us too)

Yeah, that's right. But it ain't looking good. Normally there'd be at least 2-3 feet of snow out my window. And right now, there's basically none.

I'd sure be fine without smelling BC's smoke all summer.

[roamer_1]

To this day I will not permit my wife to get anything but whole milk as I spent too much of my youth having to drink the cut milk.

That's alright, but you might want to rethink that. I agree it ain't very good for drinking, even cutting into raw milk, but it works fine for cooking... making pudding... making a cheese sauce... Dumping into corn bread batter... any and all, you won't tell the difference. 

[libertybele]

That's alright, but you might want to rethink that. I agree it ain't very good for drinking, even cutting into raw milk, but it works fine for cooking... making pudding... making a cheese sauce... Dumping into corn bread batter... any and all, you won't tell the difference. 

Add some Nestle's Quick to it and magic it takes on a whole different taste.  Personally,  I don't mind powdered milk.

Also -- evaporated milk watered down works in a pinch as well.

[jmyrlefuller]

Panic buying frenzy empties stores ahead of 'worst winter storm ever' that could make trees EXPLODE

State of emergency declared in multiple states as blizzard threatens to blanket 30 states and 200 million people brace for coldest storm EVER

I've been tolerant of their nonsense with snarky comments and eye-rolls, but the fearmongering they're pulling with this is reckless, irresponsible and it hurts the reputation of everyone who forecasts the weather and tries to put out accurate answers for those who need it.

I truly wish I could put my foot down on this and simply say "no more Daily Mail articles." I don't think I have that degree of moderating freedom.

[mystery-ak]

Upgraded again...8-12 ins...

[240B]

I've been tolerant of their nonsense with snarky comments and eye-rolls, but the fearmongering they're pulling with this is reckless, irresponsible and it hurts the reputation of everyone who forecasts the weather and tries to put out accurate answers for those who need it.

I truly wish I could put my foot down on this and simply say "no more Daily Mail articles." I don't think I have that degree of moderating freedom.

They are selling a product like a carnival barker. You are too literal. EVERYBODY knows that this is not "the coldest storm EVER!" but that is part of the fun.
And, trees exploding and stores selling out is real and objective reporting, that did happen. Yes, I agree that Daily Mail goes over the top sometimes. But everyone already either knows that or should know that.

If TBR banned every hyperbolic headline, then all of the BOMBSHELL! and THE NOOSE IS TIGHTENING! and WILL BE RELEASED NEXT WEEK! headlines would have to be censored too. The foundation of almost all headlines is hyperbole. It as always been like that since the beginning. It became widespread with Gutenburg from 1450, but eye-catching titles can be found in hieroglyphics and in coniform writings from B.C. "The Book of the Dead", who wouldn't want to read that? The idea of 'catching the eye' and 'to pique the reader's interest' is as old as writing itself.

Weather is just a discussion topic. The headline is not meant to be taken too seriously, in most cases. IMHO

[roamer_1]

Add some Nestle's Quick to it and magic it takes on a whole different taste.  Personally,  I don't mind powdered milk.

No more Quik for me. Sadly, too much salt.I used to pour that stuff on vanilla ice cream and stir it in. The grit it lent to the ice cream is a texture I miss. 

Also -- evaporated milk watered down works in a pinch as well.

I have that around... mostly for making ice cream from snow. 

[Cyber Liberty]

No more Quik for me. Sadly, too much salt.I used to pour that stuff on vanilla ice cream and stir it in. The grit it lent to the ice cream is a texture I miss. 

I like Ovaltine for that....

[berdie]

Over 70% of Florida is experiencing drought conditions and  the rest  of the state is abnormally dry.

This is the 7th driest year in my county to date over the past 131 years (January-December 2025)  - Decrease of 11.64 inches from normal. 

I'm almost afraid to state this as hurricane season starts in May.

I actually thought about you (and all) that have hurricanes. It's good to have warning to prepare but...


https://youtu.be/uMyCa35_mOg

[roamer_1]

I like Ovaltine for that....

I haven't had ovaltine in a coon's age, but it'd do. Had a girlfriend a while back that was really into Strawberry Quik - She's the one who got me hooked on regular Quik. I would take it any time over any chocolate syrup or even hot fudge.

I miss Quik.

[Lando Lincoln]

Back when I worked overseas, I acquired a tolerable taste for the ultra-pasteurized milk. It didn’t require refrigeration while on the shelf. It was quite good with cereal.

[DB]

I haven't had ovaltine in a coon's age, but it'd do. Had a girlfriend a while back that was really into Strawberry Quik - She's the one who got me hooked on regular Quik. I would take it any time over any chocolate syrup or even hot fudge.

I miss Quik.

I forgot all about Ovaltine, we also had it as kids... I have no idea if I'd still like it.

[Hoodat]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMeFHAaZ_gE

[jmyrlefuller]

I like Ovaltine for that....

OK, side story time:

A couple weeks ago, I was doing my shopping rounds and came across a jar of Ovaltine. It was a good price, and I hadn't had it in a while, so I put it in the cart. I get it home... I notice, something's not right. The Ovaltine I remember is soluble in cold milk, but this clumps up like hot chocolate mix. I look at the label and... clearly this is not conforming to American labeling laws. It turns out I had bought a jar of Ovaltine meant for sale in Singapore and made in Thailand! Apparently they use a different formula there that requires hot water, which was a bummer.

[mystery-ak]

When I used to spend the night at my grandma's I always had vanilla ice cream with Nestle Quik sprinkled over it...and we would watch Friday night wrestling on the tv.....good times....lol

I think I will got some to see if it is as good as I remember it...

[Sighlass]

Look at the bright side, a vacation in Alaska now comes with balmy 56 degree temperatures right now as I just checked.

[Sighlass]

OK, side story time:

A couple weeks ago, I was doing my shopping rounds and came across a jar of Ovaltine. It was a good price, and I hadn't had it in a while, so I put it in the cart. I get it home... I notice, something's not right. The Ovaltine I remember is soluble in cold milk, but this clumps up like hot chocolate mix. I look at the label and... clearly this is not conforming to American labeling laws. It turns out I had bought a jar of Ovaltine meant for sale in Singapore and made in Thailand! Apparently they use a different formula there that requires hot water, which was a bummer.

LoL, like the time I bought a ton of lighters for pennies apiece .. only to have them all explode in my car (crates of them) because it was a cold weather mix made for up north.

The wife now makes our chocolate milk (hot coco) on the stove... I didn't know the powdered powder had a lot of (Salt), thanks @roamer_1 ...

Seems the South is fighting back, pushing a lot of this snow back up North. Some of Mississippi and North GA may have a battle with Ice... but not as bad as earlier expected. Looks like the Low will keep us in the warmer precipitation for a lot of the event (fine with me, I didn't want downed trees)...

The road dept went by and trimmed a bunch of trees on our street today (we got a load of woodchip for free). One year an ice storm hit and my trees knocked out power on three sides that we bordered. My neighbors probable hated me.

[mountaineer]

Thai Ovaltine. What has this world come to?

[corbe]

[Sighlass]

That is spot on... I told my kid earlier that they drew the map using all the crayons in the box... lol

[Smokin Joe]

We ain't gonna get ANY (grumble, grumble). It's nearly breakup and we have maybe 3" of crusted snow and ice. There should be 3-4' of standing snow down here in the valley by now.

We're gonna pay in fire this summer if we don't get some snowpack by march. 

Ours has melted off a couple of times, so not a lot of pack, and I hope what melted off managed to end up in some farm ponds or soak in. We got a couple fresh inches (powder, so hard to tell the way it blows around), before the temps dropped past where it's too cold to snow.

Twenty six below where I'm at on an oil rig right now. Not much wind, so it isn't too bad. Thankfully, my days of spending long spells out in it are done for this job. The boss got a new client (9 months or so of work), so we'll see how that deal goes, but for now, I'm good.

My heart and prayers go out for the folks who just aren't set up for all this sort of weather. Y'all stay safe.

[Smokin Joe]

Look at the bright side, a vacation in Alaska now comes with balmy 56 degree temperatures right now as I just checked.

Yeah, I remember a directional driller from Alaska, saying he'd had enough of North Dakota and was glad he was going back to Alaska where the weather was warmer.

[rustynail]

[corbe]

   I stocked up yesterday.

[DefiantMassRINO]

I must have angered the big red L.  The have upped the snow totals to 10 - 20 inches of snow ... significant fluff factor.

[Cyber Liberty]

In Western Arizona I'm just popping corn and hoping for the best for all my Briefer buddies....

I feel for all y'all, this is why I pulled up stakes and moved from Michigan to out here as a yout.  It's nice outside here now, but we'll pay for it when it hits 120 F this summer!

[Cyber Liberty]

In all fairness, demand is always high for the cheeseheads....

[Polly Ticks]

In all fairness, demand is always high for the cheeseheads....

In Louisville, we wean our babies straight from breastmilk to bourbon. 

[Cyber Liberty]

In Louisville, we wean our babies straight from breastmilk to bourbon. 

I have an X/Briefer buddy who lives in E-Town....

[Polly Ticks]

Kentucky Sports Radio has a contest where the local meteorologists make their predictions and the winner gets $10k for their favorite charity.  Looks like the consensus for Louisville is right around a foot or so.

[libertybele]

Governor Abbott Press Office
@GovAbbottPress
·
Follow
Governor @GregAbbott_TX provided an update on the preparations the state is taking ahead of incoming winter weather.

He declared a disaster proclamation & @TxDPS announced a waiver so that trucks can drive for longer to ensure Texans get supplies.

[240B]

The 12 cities that will see 'catastrophic' damage by crippling winter storm

Daily Mail
By RACHEL BOWMAN
23 January 2026

Millions of Americans are bracing for potentially fatal weather this weekend, with widespread heavy snow and ice forecast across the country.

The storm, named Fern, is expected to begin Friday and last through Monday, and is set to drop a foot or more of snow and catastrophic amounts of ice along its 1,500-mile path.

Texas and Oklahoma are among the states expected to be hardest hit and could face dangerous road conditions, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

It will spread into Arkansas and Tennessee overnight, before pushing into the Midwest by Saturday morning and reaching Alabama, the Carolinas and Georgia by nightfall.

The massive storm system is expected to bring a crippling ice downpour and potentially around a foot of snow from Oklahoma through Washington, DC, New York and Boston over the weekend.

Some regions in the Southern Plains and Midwest could be hit with more than 12in of snow, while predictions show the potential for a half-inch of ice or more for many areas, including parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee.

Here are the top 12 US cities set to be hit hardest by the impending winter storm, according to the Washington Post.

(more)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15492527/top-12-cities-hit-winter-storm.html

[mystery-ak]

 FEMA deploying teams to multiple states as massive winter storm looms
by Colin Meyn and Fiona Bork - 01/23/26 2:56 PM ET

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Friday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has deployed teams to three states with a dozen others on standby, as an incoming winter storm threatens much of the country.

“The time to prepare is now,” Noem said in a statement released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “The agency urges people to pay attention to local officials and take any necessary actions to keep safe as severe winter weather moves across the nation.”

The National Weather Service is forecasting a “significant, long-duration winter storm” stretching from the southern Rockies to New England, bringing heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain to a large swath of the country at least through Monday.

The storm is likely to bring frigid temperatures, gusty winds and dangerous wind chills to the north-central U.S., affecting residents in the Southern Plains, the Mississippi Valley and the Midwest, according to the forecast.

FEMA has deployed Incident Management Teams to Louisiana, Texas and Virginia, according to the DHS statement. The agency has a dozen more teams ready for deployment should additional states request assistance, Noem said in the statement, adding that 28 FEMA Urban Search and Rescue teams are also on standby.

Governors in multiple states have already declared states of emergency in response to the forecast.

more
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5703625-winter-storm-fema-deployment/

[240B]

The less obvious ways to stay safe in a snowstorm: Cruise control, dripping faucets and the silent killer - Live updates

Daily Mail
By RACHEL BOWMAN
23 January 2026

More than 230 million Americans are bracing for winter storm Fern that forecasters fear will bring heavy snow and catastrophic ice conditions.

Grocery store shelves are beginning to empty across the nation as households panic buy in preparation for 'Snowmaggedon.'

Over a dozen states have issued disaster or emergency declarations ahead of the storm, which is predicted to spread from New Mexico to Virginia on Saturday.

By Sunday, it will move into the Northeast, bringing bitterly cold temperatures and hazardous travel conditions, according to the National Weather Service.

It comes just one week after a powerful Arctic storm wreaked havoc across New England, causing multiple major car pileups on icy roads.

More than 1,500 flights within, into or out of the United States have been delayed or canceled in advance of the storm today, according to FlightAware.

Follow along for the latest updates.

Snowmaggedon preppers leave stores barren
Panic buying has left store shelves completely empty in Washington DC as people prepare to spend the weekend buckled down inside their homes, NBC News' Gary Grumbach revealed.

Store shelves were left barren at a Trader Joe's in the nation's capital as locals brace for the wicked weather.

(more)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15489181/extreme-cold-warning-forecast-winter-storm-live-blog.html

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I got two days off in a row for the worst of the storm, one PTO and one switched shift.

[roamer_1]

Ours has melted off a couple of times, so not a lot of pack, and I hope what melted off managed to end up in some farm ponds or soak in. We got a couple fresh inches (powder, so hard to tell the way it blows around), before the temps dropped past where it's too cold to snow.

Twenty six below where I'm at on an oil rig right now. Not much wind, so it isn't too bad. Thankfully, my days of spending long spells out in it are done for this job. The boss got a new client (9 months or so of work), so we'll see how that deal goes, but for now, I'm good.

My heart and prayers go out for the folks who just aren't set up for all this sort of weather. Y'all stay safe.

We got nothin! +20 and blue sky. And to add insult to injury, That big honker east of the hump is gonna stack up the flow over here... Bet you money we have southerlies and melting by next week.