Old Man Winter

With things being pretty slow at work I've been answering a lot of weather questions from our corporate headquarters, since I'm known as the company weatherman. While I'm at it I thought I'd throw together some stuff to use in the blog for what will hopefully be a winter filled with TeagueCasts. Nothing exciting to report at the moment, just some fairly cool low temps this week and a chilly east wind. But stay tuned because winter is just around the corner and my crystal ball is hinting at some things to watch for once we get a ways into December.

The following is criteria to keep in mind when it's time to issue a patented TeagueCast:

Bark Dust Snow – Level 1
As the name implies this is a crummy excuse for snow as it only sticks to bark dust, grass and other non-road surfaces. This is the type where the kids get all excited to go sledding down a grassy hill and instead they’re playing in mud within 5 minutes. Booooo! Brief accumulations only with an occasional ice pellet or graupel (those weird bouncy snow pellet things) thrown in.

The Teaser – Level 2
Only slightly better than bark dust snow, level 2 gets you some minor accumulations on the road and if you scrounge around you might muster a snowball, more like slushball really. Level 2 means moisture is limited or there’s just not enough cold air for the real deal. Two hour late start at best for the kids, but just enough to get the news channels into hyperdrive coverage.


Snow Advisory – Level 3
Now we’re talking! A few inches of snow are likely with Level 3 and you can use it as an excuse (Ryan) to not go to work unless you happen to be a tire chain salesman. The TV news will assign a corny name like "Winter Blast 2007," only it’s not really that much of a blast.


DefCon 4 – Level 4
Level 4 means a good storm with many hours of continuous snow, followed by cold temps and the roads freezing over. Chain up! DefCon 4 creates a grocery store frenzy and the TV news will go live for 6+ hours with a dozen or more field reporters scraping their feet in the snow warning you about the hazardous on/off ramps. "If you don't have to go out............"



The Full Meal Deal – Level 5
A very rare level in recent years, think early January of 2004 or better. Snow, then more snow, throw in some sleet, maybe some freezing rain, etc., etc. Level 5 can also be a combination of levels 2 through 4 in any order. Level 5 is sure to induce cabin fever and will make you yearn for summer. If you leave your car outside, plan on chiseling your way into it. And your heating bill just might approach the amount of a mortgage payment.