ICE STORM
DECEMBER 11-12, 2008
Miss Kardas
Atmospheric Science
Final Project
DAY 1: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11th 2008
STORM APPROACHING THURS-FRI
4:04am by AlbanyWeatherman
A potentially dangerous storm is brewing in the southern states this afternoon. We expect
this low pressure system to track northward into the mid-Atlantic region early Thursday and
then into New York and New England by Friday. Precipitation will occur in advance of the
storm, so we expect it to arrive in the Capital Region by Thursday afternoon. There is
increasing concern that the precipitation type will be mixed. The storm itself will draw in
warmer air in the upper atmosphere, causing rain. The temperatures at the surface
however will be just below freezing since the region experienced the passage of a cold front
this morning. There is potential for a significant icing event, so be sure to check back for
updates as this situation will be monitored closely.
ICE STORM POTENTIAL
5:48am by AlbanyWeatherman
The latest weather balloons launched are showing a thick
layer of warm air in the upper atmosphere. Rain will fall
through a majority of the atmosphere but will freeze in the
thin layer of cold air at the surface. We should be hearing
from the National Weather Service soon. I expect some type
of winter weather warning to be issued shortly.
URGENT MESSAGE FROM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
6:14am by AlbanyWeatherman
An ice storm warning has been issued for several
counties in the New York Capital region and points
south. An ice storm warning means that accumulations
of 1/4 of an inch of ice or greater are expected (purpleshaded regions). Winter storm warnings have been
posted for areas north and west of Albany.
Accumulations of 6-12 inches are expected (pinkshaded regions).
1 COMMENT
6:28am CASOCCER says:
School’s closed- it’s not even raining or anything yet!
BE PREPARED
10:30am by AlbanyWeatherman
Heavy accumulations of ice can bring down trees, utility poles, and phone lines. Power may
be disrupted for several hours or days while repairs are being made. Travel by vehicles is
especially dangerous since motorists often do not see the ice buildup on the roadways.
You can prepare for the ice storm by making sure you have the following items in your
home:
-Flashlights with batteries
-Battery-powered radio
-Extra medicine
-Extra food and water
-First aid supplies
-Emergency heat source (keep at least 36 inches away from other objects and turn
off if you leave the room)
-Carbon monoxide detector
Avoid travel if possible, but if necessary, carry a winter survival kit:
-Extra clothing to keep warm
-Extra blankets or sleeping bag
-Food and water
-Road maps
-Small shovel
2 COMMENTS
10:36pm AJM2154 says:
Good point about the carbon monoxide detector. Electric generators may produce
harmful gases especially if they haven't been used in a while!
10:46pm SKI243 says:
I keep cat litter in my car- works great for traction in case you get stuck! It’s also a
good idea to keep a full tank of gas if you have to travel.
DAY 2: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12th 2008
NEED YOUR STORM REPORTS!
5:12am by AlbanyWeatherman
ROLL CALL! Please send me your storm reports!
5 COMMENTS
1:32am MissKardas says:
VERY heavy rain right now. I keep hearing tree branches breaking followed by
flashes of light. I’m guessing the power lines are already starting to come down since
the lights keep flickering.
2:36am AdirondackMTN says:
Thunder and lightning in Glens Falls! Rainfall rates of 1/4- to 1/3- inch per hour.
3:25am CatskillGameFarm says:
Flooding in Catskill - the Catskill Creek is overflowing its bank at West Main Street.
6:36am AJM2154 says:
ICE EVERYWHERE! Maybe a half inch thick at my house!!
6:39am CASOCCER says:
School’s closed again. AHHH YEAH!! We have no power and my phone is about to
die 
THOUSANDS WITHOUT POWER
8:52am by AlbanyWeatherman
National Weather Service Radio is reporting that a LOT of people are without power. That
explains the lack of storm reports. I will gather more information and post it tomorrow!
DAY 3: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13th 2008
LOCAL RAINFALL TOTALS AND ICE ACCUMULATIONS
4:46am by AlbanyWeatherman
Impressive storm- it will make historic records for sure! Rainfall totals ranged from 2-3
inches across the Capital Region. Here is a list of local ice accumulations reported by our
weather watchers:
Schenectady, NY: 0.88"
Colonie, NY: 0.80"
Albany, NY: 0.60"
Clifton Park, NY: 0.60"
Middleburgh, NY: 0.75"
Feura Bush, NY: 0.75"
Round Lake, NY: 0.60"
STATES OF EMERGENCIES
5:02am by AlbanyWeatherman
This storm had quite an impact not just in our area but also across the entire eastern
seaboard! States that were affected by ice accumulation include: Pennsylvania, Vermont,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine! Some states also experienced heavy rain and
flooding problems as well as impressive snowfall amounts up to a foot. Over 1.25 million
people are without power, including 255,000. Utility crews from Canada to South Carolina
are being called in for clean-up and restoration. Be patient folks- it looks like this will take
days if not weeks to get back to normal!
1 COMMENT
6:33am by TroyCITY
The City of Troy is one of many in the region to declare a State of Emergency. We
are urging residents to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary since traffic lights are
out and city crews are in the process of cleaning up. The Red Cross has set up
shelters at the HVCC gym and the former Verizon building on 6th Ave. Busses
marked "Special" will pick up senior citizens without power and transport them to
shelters.
CALMER (BUT COLDER!) WEATHER ON THE WAY
10:08am by AlbanyWeatherman
It looks like we have some clearing weather behind this storm, but temperatures
will plummet. An arctic air mass from Canada will usher in a few days of very cold air.
Tonight we expect temperatures in the teens across the area with single digits in the higher
elevations. A high pressure system is working its way here, which means clearing skies.
The high pressure departs on Sunday, bringing southerly winds and moderating
temperatures. Certainly good news for clean-up crews!
LIST OF REFERENCES
Caprood, Tom. "Troy gets walloped by ice storm." The Record. N.p., 13 Dec. 2008.
Web. 30 Dec. 2011. <http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2008/12/13/news/
doc4942891e23418894812010.txt>.
Ferrell, Jesse. "Ice Storm Map: Did AccuWeather Miss the Forecast?"
Accuweather. N.p., 13 Dec. 2008. Web. 30 Dec. 2011.
<http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-blogs/weathermatrix/icestorm/
17656>.
"Ice Storm December 11-12, 2008." National Weather Service Forecast Office
Albany, NY. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Dec. 2011. <http://www.erh.noaa.gov/aly/
Past/2008/Dec_11-12_2008/Dec_11-12_2008.htm>.
PAH Webmaster. "Today's Topic: Ice Storms - Winter's Destructive Power."
National Weather Service. Paducah, KY Weather Forecast Office, 12 Nov.
2010. Web. 30 Dec. 2011. <http://www.crh.noaa.gov/pah/
?n=winterawareness10>.
Tirrell-Wysocki, David. "Ice storm leaves 1.25 million powerless in Northeast."
USA Today. Associated Press, 13 Dec. 2008. Web. 30 Dec. 2011.
<http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/winter/
2008-12-12-ice-storm_N.htm>.