Northern weather

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I went out to clear up the 1-2 " but then as I did that it started snowing much harder. I can't tell that I did anything at all now.

Worry about it tomorrow....

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Yeah, snow has a way of waiting for you, no matter how long you might take to get to it. It's in no hurry. Only one time in my entire life can I recall my ever waiting-it-out, never shoveling a single flake, and sure enough, by the time I felt like getting to it, it had all melted away. Yup, all of it (maybe 2-3"), a couple years ago, all sidewalk and walkways, even the driveway!!!

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Yeah, snow has a way of waiting for you, no matter how long you might take to get to it. It's in no hurry. Only one time in my entire life can I recall my ever waiting-it-out, never shoveling a single flake, and sure enough, by the time I felt like getting to it, it had all melted away. Yup, all of it (maybe 2-3"), a couple years ago, all sidewalk and walkways, even the driveway!!!

Well, for a storm that was supposed to be all hype, and one that was supposed to be 1-3" and end about 6 hours ago, it's still going strong.

[robert.]

A local new station sent a crew to AC.NJ.No snow for their report. They also had a crew in Dover De. Just flurries. That’s a little stretch of PHILLY’s viewing area.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

OK. So. No sooner do I post about my vow not to drive in any snow, I get a call from Pittsburgh, just a few moments ago. A cousin has just died, yesterday. His parents called me. I'd like to go for the funeral, but I am very, very wary about launching myself out across Pennsylvania, along the PA Turnpike, as far as Irwin/Greensburg exit, from Jew Jersey, given the weather reports currently on the News.

May I have the benefit of your firsthand wisdom, Rufus, and Robert. Would the present snowfall across PA put me in unnecessary and definite danger? Would you advise against my making the trip? Googling "PA Turnpike snow and roads" reported a picture of snow, sleet, and black-ice conditions, plus traffic speed restrictions right thru to Thursday, from the border w/ NJ, right along such routes as81, 80, and the pike.
Murph

[rogruth]

Murph,
It is difficult when relatives and friends die. I attended funerals for my grand fathe, grand mother. an aunt, my mother and step-father.
I felt very bad but was not able to attend for 2 uncles, 2 aunts and my cousins husband (she was/is like a sister} but it just wasn't possible
at that time of year. I survived my unhappy feelings. I wouldn't make that drive. When was the last time you did that in winter weather?

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Murph,
... When was the last time you did that in winter weather?

Never.

[E7]

Murph, I am very familiar with the PA Turnpike and I've made several trips to Ohio in early January. The Pike is relatively flat and straight coming in from the East until you get west of Bedford, PA. The area directly west of Bedford is curvy and hilly. Your worst potential weather is generally around Somerset, PA which you encounter shortly after you go through the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel, which seems to be the East/West line of demarcation for crappy weather. They have improved a lot of the Western section of the Pike, but it still has way more curves than the Eastern part and more altitude. It is right about this point in January where the weather gets iffy.

I haven't been on the Pike just of late, but there seems to be less truck traffic.....probably because of the HIGH tolls.

I tried to pull up a Somerset forecast, but was not ale to do so! Weather forecast for central PA is pretty decent until Thursday evening....snow showers. I have not seen any weather reports for the western part of PA.


I know what I would do, but it's your call, my friend.

Rich

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Murph, I am very familiar with the PA Turnpike and I've made several trips to Ohio in early January. The Pike is relatively flat and straight coming in from the East until you get west of Bedford, PA. The area directly west of Bedford is curvy and hilly. Your worst potential weather is generally around Somerset, PA which you encounter shortly after you go through the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel, which seems to be the East/West line of demarcation for crappy weather. They have improved a lot of the Western section of the Pike, but it still has way more curves than the Eastern part and more altitude. It is right about this point in January where the weather gets iffy.

Agree. Only thing in its favor is that it's generally cleared pretty rapidly vs. all the roads getting to and from the TP.

[robert.]

With 6 days to to go. This weekend looks like a crap shoot. You maybe better off RT 80 west to 99 south. News media has stopped a little short of saying " Nor Easter" Give um a day or 2 then they'll say it.

[MurphOnMillerAve]

E7/Rich; Rufus; Robert, Thank You for your input on this. I much appreciate your kindness and good-lookin-out by replying with your experience about the roads, January, and about making such a trip now.

I was seriously considering embarking on the journey this morning. However, my wife and I decided I just shouldn't take the chance, and besides, I am not quite up to full power, yet, due to some medical issues I am still not fully recovered from. I can't take the chance of launching myself that far away from home and into uncertain weather conditions and road conditions.

So, here I am, instead, at my computer, tip-tapping away, keeping company with you good guys.

Thank you, again, for replying and for the quality of your replies, gentlemen.
And E7/Rich, I see that your reply was posted at 1:26am, which tells me you may have anticipated I might be deciding to go or not for early this morning. You were right. Thank you for such a timely action.
Murph

[E7]

Wise choice! Flowers and a note of condolence explaining your absence should suffice, particularly with your medical issues.

Rich

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Wise choice! Flowers and a note of condolence explaining your absence should suffice, particularly with your medical issues.

Rich

Yes, when the mother of our deceased cousin called yesterday to tell us of the loss, I did not detect any animosity or resentment when I was trying to figure out with her, and my wife on an extension phone, whether weather would permit such a trip , and if my health were up to the ordeal of such travel. Because she seemed so accepting of the suggested idea of my possibly not making it to Greensburg for any of the funeral arrangements, I didn't commit and decided to see if I would receive any helpful viewpoints from this forum. I feel most comfortable making decisions when I have as much information as I can muster before launch.

[rogruth]

My wife has had some rather serious heath problems recently and has not yet accepted that she can't keep going as she did 40 years ago.
I almost need to tie her down but then she starts to feel it backs off. Like Murph shas always gone full speed ahead but now must learn to do differently.

[Mitch]

The only thing that would keep me off of the Pike is the friggin' high tolls, which the Turnpike Commission just raised again this month. And,.... they discriminate against cash payers! Tolls are higher when ya pay cash as opposed to EZ Pass.

But I just love that friggin' road. Eastbound with an eighteen wheeler and damn near losin' it on the big curve downhill comin' out of the Allegheny Mountain tunnel, pullin' those big hills into Donegal, Somerset, and Bedford, and of course, Sidling Hill east of Breezewood, with the big diesel just hammerin' away. From Carlisle east to the Jersey line; booorrring!!!!!

But one thing about the Pike, especially in the mountains between Pittsburgh and Fort Littleton, when it's gonna snow, the trucks are already settin' in the mediums full of salt and plows ready. They move out when the first flakes fall, tho sometimes they can be overwhelmed. Generally, they keep the pike in pretty good shape.