BAE Granite State Regional - Snow Storm

Competition Regional Competitions
1

So here we go! A nor’easter has the possibility of dumping a foot of snow in the area overnight, Thursday into Friday. If it gets bad, are teams going to have trouble getting to the event?

As for us, we’re commuting this year. Taking up residence in a hotel was very low on the priority list. It’s about 20 minutes of normal travel from our hometown to the arena. Looks like we’ll be getting up awfully early, Friday morning, to make it in safely to the competition.

Any one else going to have difficulty?

Just an aside, this is a link to the NWS office in Gray, ME that forecasts for our area: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/gyx

Good luck teams!

2

Don’t see any mention of a snowstorm here. Just possibly freezing rain.

3

Yeah, we just checked and it said something about 2-4 inches, then freezing rain… or the other way around.

Either way, it definately wasn’t a foot of snow.

4

gota love weather people, the only job where you can lie and be wrong while keeping your job.

5

Sometimes I enjoy reading the “Forecast Discussion” (linked near the bottom of NWS forecast pages). The forecasters make it very clear that they’re not lying–just guessing much of the time. They are only human, after all.

I don’t understand all of what the Forecast Discussions say. But some of it is clear enough: “QUESTIONS REMAIN… EVEN IF THE PRECIPITATION DOES MIX WITH OR CHANGE TO SLEET…FREEZING RAIN OR RAIN…HEAVY SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS WILL LIKELY FALL PRIOR TO THE MIX.”

I hope you all stay safe while traveling in this nasty weather…whatever it turns out to be.

6

http://www.usfirst.org/community/resourcecenter.aspx?id=4868
This is the first time I’ve seen anything like this posted on the FIRST Website in all the years I’ve been involved -
"BAE Granite State Regional Storm Updates

Weather reports indicate storm potential for Friday, March 2 in the Manchester area. If storm cancellations or delays for the BAE Granite State Regional are necessary, the information will be posted here."
As of this morning they are predicting 5-9 inches of snow folllowed by ice.
Drive safely!

7

So what’s worse. All the snow or all the flooding that the rain is gonna cause when it melts the snow?

8

Make sure you all allow extra travel time…

9

Every year GLR has some weather phenomenon that causes issues. Usually it’s a combination of snow/ice over night into Friday that makes people late and delays the start a little bit.

10

Driving Reminder: Your 4WD SUV is better than a regular car at propelling itself through snow and ice, but is worse at stopping on snow and ice.

11

Step 1.) Purchase good quality snow/ice tires for your 4WD/AWD vehicle.
Step 2.) Drive according to the traction you have.
Step 3.) ???
Step 4.) Profit!

12

On a weather related note -

There is a VERY strong potential for severe weather throughout the southeastern United States today. The Storm Prediction Center has issued a HIGH RISK outlook for severe weather across portions of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Northern Florida for today. A high risk outlook is very rare and very serious - there is a good chance that we will see reports of strong to violent tornadoes today in these areas.

If you live in any of these areas, PLEASE BE ALERT AND STAY INFORMED OF WEATHER WATCHES/WARNINGS FOR YOUR COUNTY. This is a very dangerous situation.

For information on watches, warnings, and areas at risk:
http://spc.noaa.gov/
http://spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html

13

I can’t get to the regional until 1pm anyway.

Woo delays!