Big one a-comin'

Nanticoke has managed to dodge most of the major snowstorms that have whacked the eastern seaboard this Winter, with the exception of one fourteen-inch incident that, as of yesterday, was mostly just a memory. But it looks like tonight we're in for a bad one.

Accumulations so far haven't amounted to much, and most of what has fallen has melted on contact with bare road surfaces that already had a residue of salt on them. But the greatest accumulation is supposed to come overnight. And the wind - gusts are predicted anywhere from fifty to seventy-five miles per hour, with significant drifting.

Local Text Forecast for Olyphant, PA (18448)

Feb 25 Tonight
Snow will be heavy at times along with gusty winds. Low 28F. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph. 6 to 10 inches of additional snow expected. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph.

All that seems to add up to "trapped at work in the morning." The possibilities include:

- Power outage at the plant, causing an evacuation at the height of the storm.
- Highway closures, stranding me thirty-three miles from home.
- Perfectly ordinary behavior from state and local authorities, meaning no snow plowing in the city where I work (they adhere to the "let the drivers tamp it down" theory) and no snow plowing from the state until the snow has stopped completely, or whenever they get to it.
- Blockages caused by vehicle breakdowns and crashes, possibly including me. The access ramp to the highway from the city where I work is a sharp uphill turn which is tricky even with a mild snow. Alternate routes involve steep downhill trips along roads that probably will not be plowed.

I have one "sick day" left from last year, and I might just use it. I feel another case of acute thanataphobia coming on.


Oh, and for those who need a reminder...
Another Monkey: Your attention please: IT'S SNOWING!