Winter Storm Nemo
 

Winter Storm Nemo is on its way with record setting snowfall, guaranteed to make this weekend tough for many northeast FRC teams.

Info on Nemo: http://www.weather.com/news/weather-...-nemo-20130206

The Navy base where our build site is located will close tomorrow at noon. We have no indication as to when it will open again. It's tough to lose build time so close to bag day.

How do you expect your team to be impacted?

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

We're in north-east N.J. We're have been planning on meeting after school today and tomorrow until 10, Saturday from 9am-5pm, and Sunday from 12pm-6pm. No updates due to the storm yet, but I'm hoping that it doesn't snow much, and that the janitors at our high school are able to clean up the parking lot quickly. Even if we have a snow day for school, if the janitors are present and the roads/parking lot are clear, we can come in to work. So, it could be a good thing...I hope :ahh:

As of right now, they're saying 4-8 inches for us.

P.S. Since when do they name snow storms? 0.o

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

We're only expecting about a foot of snow, so it shouldn't impact us.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

our robot this year has many precise parts, and ALOT of them. This means that we need every hour right now. In the words of one of our mentors, "were in deep doo-doo." our school will most likely not allow anyone at the school Friday and we don't know about Saturday. We might be forced to start working on Sundays now.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Its something forecasters have been doing the past year or so, they're trying to get people to take snow storms a bit more seriously.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

We're in Central Massachusetts and we're expecting 18-24 inches. There is a huge chance that we won't have school tomorrow and are likely not going to be able to go into school on Saturday either. So we're going to lose one day and swap Saturday for Sunday. Since it's crunch time, we have meetings everyday but Sunday, so we're just swapping those days this week, I guess. c:

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

I'm in sunny Florida and expecting 0-0 inches of the white stuff.

In the past (when I lived somewhere with weather) when faced with snow delays we took the time to focus on other aspects that didn't require access to our facility. We also developed action plans on how to move forward given the change in circumstances.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Boston is 'supposed' to be getting the worst of this storm which is not great news for us. I've seen forecasts for between 24-36" over tomorrow and Saturday.

Obviously this is not ideal with build season winding down.... we'll find a way though, always do.

-Brando

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

We are on Long Island and expect anywhere from 6" to 18". Right now, we can't go into our workshop since our school district is not letting us so we have to find something else to make this work otherwise we lose 2 days of build.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Blame the Weather Channel http://www.weather.com/news/why-we-n...torms-20121001

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

We're in San Diego and what's snow? :P

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I think it's a good thing, in my opinion. It'll help bring awareness to what can be some very dangerous conditions.

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and of course they don't mind the website and tv hit spikes when a big storm with a name comes rolling through....

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

The return of the Feb 2010 Snowmageddon?

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

We aren't planning for much snow (3-6 inches) but just in case, we may take the robot to a mentors house for the weekend.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Our team is in the 24+ section. Right now the school will be closed Friday, Saturday, and possibly Sunday.

I think a few of us will get together to finalize the design of the last mechanisms and plan out the leftover work so once we get back up and running it is all speed ahead.

A bigger question is if the machinists at our sponsors shop will be able to make the trip up from Boston to make parts. If not we are in big trouble.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

1058 is not happy at all about this storm. The amount of snow we are getting could mean the loss of a whole weekend during build (we live in southeast NH). This could throw a big wrench in our plan for finishing our robot on time this year. To the team's not affected by the storm, consider yourselves lucky. To the team's not affected by the storm: do what you can to work, but not at the cost of driving in bad conditions, the last thing we want is for someone to get hurt over building a robot.

Stay safe everyone!

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

As of approximately an hour ago, 157's lost our whole weekend. We do not have school tomorrow nor do we are we allowed to be in our school (our build site) on Saturday or Sunday.

Guess we'll have to make due with tonight!

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Hey Jay can both our teams crash Mike's shop for the weekend and collaborate the remainder of our robots! ;)

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

But then all of the secrets of our robot will be exposed!:p We're lucky to have a possible place to go instead of our school, since the school will close, hopefully the roads won't get too bad!

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

You're expecting over 2-feet of accumulation. That's not even accounting for drifting. I'll be surprised if you can make it out the door.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Delaware ... Mostly rain, possibly some very wet "snow" Friday night. We might take the robot to a mentor house tonight just in case...

*sigh* I'd like to not be able to see my front yard because of all the snow.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

I'm just currently in denial about missing a weekend of robotics. This is one of those storms where I'm hoping that the weather channel is wrong. Over 2 feet of snow is just ridiculous, something you'll only find in New England (and probably Canada)

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Only 2 feet! :rolleyes: ;)

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

In other words, Just a dusting.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

I'm sorry, I forgot that you Northeasters are accustomed to digging tunnels through four feet of snow to get to school every winter. :rolleyes:

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

They may dig in the north east... up here in Minnesota, we just pull out the snow shoes and climb out the second story window :D

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

In Ohio, we just cancel everything, from work to religious services, and stay home watching the news and weather people on TV freak out about this mystical white material falling from the sky.

It's fun for the first ten minutes. Then you realize that they're interrupting your favorite show.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

And the Mid-Atlantic in 2010.
And 2003.
3 feet worth.
I remember 2003 because we lost 11 days of the build season due to the white stuff culminating in a blizzard over 5 days where couldn't build and couldn't ship.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

But at least they pushed out the ship day in 2003 (and 2001) a couple of days. Now we have no excuse not to bag and tag.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

You do if you can't get to the robot. It's an interesting situation now. While I don't expect this storm to cause closures that last through ship date, there could be another storm this year, or in another year, which prevents teams from getting to their build site.

As far as I know, there's no precedent for how FIRST will handle teams being unable to get to their work site to bag and tag their robot. In 2003 FedEx essentially forced their hand, since shipping was mandatory and donated, and they weren't doing any pickups in the Northeast on ship day. Now it's essentially a case-by-case basis depending on where the robot work is being done, if the particular school/build site allows access, etc. I'd hope FIRST has put some thought into how they will address this issue now if/when it comes up.

They have dealt with isolated special cases in the past, but never a large affected region.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

*Siberia

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

We'll I suppose that's an argument of whether( or Weather...) or not your team should have had the foresight to bag your robot in advanced if you know about a oncoming storm on bag&tag day. Personally I loved it when they did push out ship date.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

I forget what year it was, either 2010 or 2011(either way, a year with bag and tag/build season storms I think) and IIRC, FIRST increased the withholding allowance by a decent amount, rather than push back B&T.

Personally, I'm, concerned about the storm for a myriad of other reasons. Like many districts in NJ, we lost 6 school days from Hurricane Sandy, gained two days from the cancellation of the teacher's convention, putting our balance of reserved snow days at 1 day. The problem is, rather than add on days at the end of the year(due to heat), they add them to the tail-end of Spring Break, something that (will/could) interfere for our competition schedule, and I'm sure could effect others.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

As a Philadelphia team, we aren't super worried about Finding our way through Nemo. But joking aside we are going to be working away from our school over the weekend, but we are transporting it just before the minimal snow hits.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Southwestern Ontario will likely be in the midst of the storm. NBD though, I'll just ride my polar bear to the build site. Speaking of which... I happen to have access to the shop at my work, which is just down the road.
Maybe I'll leave the polar bear behind and just bring the moose and a toboggan.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Don't forget your toque.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Snow? What's that?

This must mean an attack of the... Non-Engineering Mentor Association!

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Well, our school now has a half-day tomorrow, and all extracurriculars are cancelled, including us :(. We're hoping that the janitors are able to clean up the school parking lot quickly, so we can come in as early as possible on Saturday. We will stay as late as the school is open, and might extend our Sunday meeting to make up for last time as well. The up-ed our expected snowfall to 8''-12''. Stay safe everyone.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

We already lost 4+ days due to 3ish winter storms. It's these days when students should be kids & go out and play :)

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I think the worst case for teams all around is the dreaded 'school in session; after school activities cancelled'. I would be willing to wager that's what we'll end up with tomorrow and the same for lots of schools later in the path of the storm. I'm just hoping it doesn't cut into our Saturday time.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

I predict that's exactly where we'll be at tomorrow... So we'll just have to work extra-long hours after... oh, wait, that's already the plan!

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

If my shop was snowed in and my unfinished robot was sitting in there, I'd dig it out with a plastic spoon or melt it out with a Bic lighter if I had to. Every hour counts. If there's a will, there's a way to make it happen.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

...or you could not violate school district policy by putting others at risk and going to a meeting when a building is locked up due to severe weather, take your lumps, and not have to worry about losing your build space because of irresponsibility...

Happened to us in 2010. We had to assemble structures in a car and attach the pieces together as they came out of the crate.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Yeah, it's important to note that at least in New York State (and likely other places), it's illegal to hold extracurricular activities on days where school is canceled due to weather.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Hey, it's New England....it's February.....it snows. Plan for it.

The team trailer was loaded up with all essential robot parts, raw materials, pieces and parts....it's off to the Agawam Robotics office and/or our sponsoring machine shop, G&L Tool, for whatever hours we can get.

Now, where did I put the chains for my truck????

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Good luck to all teams in the path of the storm. Please be safe and remember that the FIRST community is here to help with anything you need.

Here's some comic relief?

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

HQ is closing today.

Since we are on Bag and Tag now, do you think if people miss a massive amount of time, FIRST would delay the worldwide stop build time by 24 hours, do it for just New England, or hold their ground?

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

I think that FIRST should have gotten out in front of this historic storm with an announcement stating that they will or will not extend bag day for effected teams.

The northeast is shutting down right now, and teams that try and hold meetings to meet deadlines put the students at unnecessary risk.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Toronto public schools are in attendance with a dismal attendance record (6/24 kids in my period 1 class), but at least we get robotics after.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

To the best of my knowledge, FIRST has never extended the stop build day. Why would you expect them to now? Everyone should assume the stop build day will not be moved, and all current rules will remain.

That said, there is a precedent, back in 2010, of increasing the withholding allowance (which seems to be a term that is being phased out, although you're still allowed to keep 30 lbs outside of the bag) late in the build season. That's not to say it will happen this year (personally, I hope it doesn't... there were issues in 2010 of teams bringing in practically an entire robot, the withholding allowance was so large).

I realize the storm is a big problem for a lot of people. But in terms of FIRST teams, those affected by this particular storm really aren't that much... There are thousands of teams in FIRST, and a few hundred in path of the storm. During the 2011 build season, I had snow piled up higher than my car. We dealt with it and moved on, we didn't beg to have deadlines moved. If you miss out on a day or two of build, come up with a plan to deal with it and move on. It sucks, but that's life.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

I see what you did there.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

As a Canadian it amuses me every year when some Middle-US state gets 'hammered' by <2" of snow and brings the whole state to a grinding halt.

This morning, I beached my car trying to get out of my driveway, (~7-8" of snow), had to pull back into my garage and run my snowblower before I could leave for work, then drove an hour to my workplace over roads covered by 3-7" of snow. Since I've been at work another 3-4" have fallen, and its still coming.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Yes, FIRST has, though it DOES predate your team.

In 2003 and I think 2004 as well, it was pushed back a few days because FedEx wouldn't pick up the robots thanks to a freak storm the day before ship.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

I was wondering when you or Kathiek was going to chime in.... :D

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Hopefully, with a scheduled Team Update tonight, FIRST will say something in that(if there is one, I don't know if HQ being closed will prevent one from going out).

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Fun Fact - A ban on vehicle traffic has been issued for the STATE of Mass starting at 4pm.

So...better hope that robot, kids, and mentors are already at your planned work location for the night. It's like a lock-in provided free of charge by Mother Nature :)

Back in Syracuse, NY we just called this kind of weather "Winter".

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

It makes a big difference when everybody is familiar with driving in the snow and many have snow tires. There are a lot of awd crossovers and 4wd trucks. We also have a lot more plows available to keep the roads clear.

With that being said, uWaterloo still shut down today, along with a lot of other universities and schools, with the 8" on the ground and more coming down. It took 4 of us to get a guy's rwd BMW with bald summer tires moving after he buried it in a right turn lane.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Certainly 6-18 inches of snow presents real risk to traveling in any circumstance. As a lifelong North East resident I enjoy the snow and look forward to it, however just because you live where it's cold doesn't mean you love snow or are equiped to deal with it. We also have kids involved and I won't be the person to ask anyone to take any unnecesary risks. We won't let the kids operate a paperclip without saftey glasses.I believe that for more reasons than just the weather there should be a sliding date on the "stop build". That might be a good topic for another discussion.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

As an Ohioan, I thought the same thing when a friend in VA told me the entire city shut down over an inch of snow one year.

You have to realize, though, that they don't get snow every year like we do. Their drivers aren't used to dealing with slick roads, either due to inexperience or vehicles incapable of handling the snow. They also have a lot less funding going towards road salt/sand/de-icing, and some cities may not even own snow plows.

That being said, I still chuckle when I see a state go crazy over 2". We get more than that in most snowfalls each day.

There's a saying that goes something along the lines of driving safety just doesn't include yourself. I have a mild headache, so I can't remember. Basically, you're not the only one driving out there. Yes, you may be well equipped with your '99 XJ with snow tires, but that guy driving an Escalade on bald tires poses a risk not just to himself, but you too. There have been quite a few significant multi-vehicle accidents in multiple states within the last month, and they were with WAY less than 2-feet of snow.

If I were calling the shots (or even have an influence), I would suggest not trying to meet. Better to add extra work during Thursday at regional than to have a student injured, or worse. There's a reason why after school activities were cancelled. In the real world, unfair delays and setbacks happen all the time. You should probably just learn to deal with it now. Some risks just shouldn't be taken.

In 2010, when "Snowmeggedon" struck, FIRST did not make any changes to the deadlines. The DC area had two major storms back-to-back. Our team lost 19 build days due to the schools being closed. They did extend the withholding allowances, but no extensions on dates. Every year, due to winter weather, we know that teams will be impacted. Teams who have a risk of being impacted by winter weather, should develop risk mitigation plans to handle that risk, and not plan on any changes to the rules or deadlines.

The key to remember, stay safe - first and foremost! This is just a game, no one should put themselves at risk!

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Living in Oklahoma, it's obvious we don't receive the amount of snow the northern states do. You must realize though that we as a state do not have the equipment to clear roads. We do struggle with small snow amounts, but it is usually gone within a few days. We have our turn laughing at you when you complain that it's too hot when you reach 95 degrees when it is 120 in the shade here! LOL

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Our team split up some projects among a few houses. I have one drivebase and my little brother will work on some modifications to it while I finish some other stuff. One block from me our climber and disk manipulation system are being assembled.

The programmers took the practice chassis home. I better see working vision tracking after this long weekend! :rolleyes: :p

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

For the record, I understand why it happens, I just think its funny that such trivial amounts of snow can bring a whole state to a grinding halt.

Certainly, safety is important.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

You do realize Connecticut, Massachusetts and parts of New Hampshire are expecting 2-3ft of snow overnight? That's not exactly what I would call "trivial".

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

They canceled after-school activities, so I came home and did the following:

Mixed a quarter cup of honey with a quarter cup of maple syrup, microwaved it for thirty seconds, until just warm. Then I added a huge handful of brown sugar and a quarter cup of spicy brown mustard. I smeared this gooey mess over a ham, patted on crumbled Ginger Snap cookies, then put it in the oven. It'll be done in thirty minutes or so.

I intend to let it rest, slice it, and eat it along with a spinach salad with blue cheese dressing, accompanied by conversation with The Redhead(tm), of whom I see too little during the build season.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Sounds like NY is catching up to MA and is going to issue a state of emergency. But I don't think there will be a travel ban.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

1/2 hour ago I was just tired, Now I'm hungry too.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

FRC Blog - Two Feet of Snow

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...o-feet-of-snow

No extension to build time.

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Good plan, can I use that?

I was planning on filling a bowl with snow, and drizzling maple syrup (the real stuff, not Aunt Jemima) over it, and eating it with a spoon.

I think the ham idea is better. I just need a ham*.

*Wait! I AM a Ham...

Re: Winter Storm Nemo
 

Ah, but when you live in the "Great White North" like the Sinclair Sprockets do. Just go ask Bob and Doug Mckenzie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEbUtpPQihM