Friday, February 28, 2014

Winter of 2013-14 Coldest on Record for New York City metro-area?

The 2013-14 winter season will go down in history as one of the coldest,snowiest winters on record for the Northeastern and Midwestern US,and the New York City metro-area,in particular,as New York City's Central Park has recorded a whopping 57.3 inches of snow through February 28,2014 and with 6-12 inches of snow forecasted for Monday,March 3,2014,this would give New York's Central Park up to 69 inches of snow for 2013-14,pulling the city within 7.5 inches of snow from the all-time record of 76.5 inches set in 1995-96 (assuming the city gets the maximum 12 inches from this storm;if it gets the minimum 6 inches,Central Park will have 63 inches for the season,pulling within 13.5 inches of the record 76.5 inches),and certainly pulling the 2013-14 winter season within the top 2 or 3 snowiest winters on record.Here's the High and Low Temperatures for New York's Central Park and the city of White Plains,NY,in the northern suburbs of Westchester County,for the 2013-14 winter season,which began on December 21,2013,as of 1:30AM,EST,March 1,2014 from weatherunderground.com,enjoy:






Central Park:






December 21,2013:                65/51            42/30              +23/+21         (Record High Set)
December 22:                         71/61            42/30              +29/+31         (Record High Set)
December 23:                         64/42            42/30              +22/+12
December 24:                         42/26            42/30                  0/-4
December 25:                         31/19            41/29               -10/-10
December 26:                         36/30            41/29                 -5/+1
December 27:                         41/31            41/29                  0/+2
December 28:                         56/36            41/29               +15/+7
December 29:                         48/42            40/28                 +8/+14
December 30:                         45/23            40/28                 +5/-5
December 31:                         33/21            40/28                  -7/-7
January 1,2014:                      34/24            40/28                  -6/-4
January 2:                               34/18            40/28                  -6/-10
January 3:                               18/10            40/28                -22/-18
January 4:                               30/8              39/27                  -9/-19
January 5:                               41/27            39/27                  +2/0
January 6:                               55/19            39/27                +16/-8
January 7:                               20/4              39/27                 -19/-23          (Record Low Set)
January 8:                               23/9              39/27                 -16/-18
January 9:                               32/22            39/27                   -7/-5
January 10:                             38/30            39/27                   -1/+3
January 11:                             58/38            39/27                +19/+11
January 12:                             54/38            38/26                +16/+12
January 13:                             51/37            38/26                +13/+11
January 14:                             52/44            38/26                +14/+18
January 15:                             46/34            38/26                  +8/+8
January 16:                             41/35            38/26                  +3/+9
January 17:                             45/33            38/26                  +7/+7
January 18:                             40/28            38/26                  +2/+2
January 19:                             37/25            38/26                   -1/-1
January 20:                             46/34            39/27                  +7/+7
January 21:                             34/12            39/27                   -5/-15
January 22:                             19/7              39/27                 -20/-20
January 23:                             19/9              39/27                 -20/-18
January 24:                             20/10            39/27                 -19/-17
January 25:                             28/20            39/27                 -11/-7
January 26:                             34/18            39/27                   -5/-9
January 27:                             44/22            39/27                  +5/-5
January 28:                             21/13            39/27                -18/-14
January 29:                             24/14            39/27                -15/-13
January 30:                             30/16            39/27                  -9/-11
January 31:                             39/25            39/27                   0/-2
February 1:                             46/36            39/27                 +7/+9
February 2:                             56/40            39/27               +17/+13
February 3:                             44/32            39/27                 +5/+5
February 4:                             36/22            40/28                  -4/-6
February 5:                             35/29            40/28                  -5/+1
February 6:                             33/21            40/28                  -7/-7
February 7:                             32/24            40/28                  -8/-4
February 8:                             29/21            40/28                -11/-7
February 9:                             31/21            40/28                  -9/-7
February 10:                           29/21            41/29                -12/-8
February 11:                           26/16            41/29                -15/-13
February 12:                           25/13            41/29                -16/-16
February 13:                           36/24            41/29                  -5/-5
February 14:                           40/32            41/29                  -1/+3
February 15:                           37/27            42/30                  -5/-3
February 16:                           31/21            42/30                -11/-9
February 17:                           32/18            42/30                -10/-12
February 18:                           40/26            42/30                  -2/-4
February 19:                           45/35            42/30                 +3/+5
February 20:                           51/37            43/31                 +8/+6
February 21:                           50/36            43/31                 +7/+5
February 22:                           54/40            43/31               +11/+9
February 23:                           55/43            43/31               +12/+12
February 24:                           44/28            44/30                   0/-2
February 25:                           33/25            44/30               -11/-5
February 26:                           32/20            45/31               -13/-11
February 27:                           34/14            45/31               -11/-17
February 28:                           24/10            45/31               -21/-21






-Highest Temperature: 71 degrees on December 22,2013
-Lowest Temperature:    4 degrees on January 7,2014





-# of Highs above normal:    26 days
-# of Highs right at normal:    3 days
-# of Highs below normal:    41 days
-# of Highs at least 10 degrees above normal: 12 days
-# of Highs at least 10 degrees below normal: 20 days
-# of Highs at least 15 degrees above normal:   8 days
-# of Highs at least 15 degrees below normal: 11 days
-# of Highs at least 20 degrees above normal:   3 days
-# of Highs at least 20 degrees below normal:   4 days
-# of Record Highs Set: 2
-# of Record Lows Set: 1







White Plains,NY:





December 21,2013:                     60/48              39/27           +21/+21        (Record High Set)
December 22:                              68/50              39/27           +29/+23        (Record High Set)
December 23:                              59/39              39/27           +20/+12
December 24:                              38/24              38/26               0/-2
December 25:                              26/16              38/26            -12/-10
December 26:                              33/25              38/26              -5/-1
December 27:                              37/27              38/26              -1/+1
December 28:                              52/30              37/25           +15/+5
December 29:                              44/38              37/25             +7/+13
December 30:                              40/18              37/25             +3/-7
December 31:                              29/17              37/25              -8/-8
January 1,2014:                           30/20              37/25              -7/-5
January 2:                                    28/14              37/25              -9/-11
January 3:                                    15/3                36/24            -21/-21            (Record Low Set)
January 4:                                    24/0                36/24            -12/-24            (Record Low Tied)
January 5:                                    44/10              36/24             +8/-14
January 6:                                    53/19              36/24           +17/-5
January 7:                                    15/3                36/24            -21/-21            (Record Low Set)
January 8:                                    20/6                36/24            -16/-18
January 9:                                    30/16              36/24              -6/-8
January 10:                                  34/24              35/23              -1/+1
January 11:                                  55/35              35/23            +20/+12
January 12:                                  54/34              35/23            +19/+11
January 13:                                  46/28              35/23            +11/+5
January 14:                                  47/39              34/22            +13/+17
January 15:                                  45/29              34/22            +11/+7
January 16:                                  38/30              34/22              +4/+8
January 17:                                  42/24              35/23              +7/+1
January 18:                                  37/27              35/23              +2/+4
January 19:                                  36/24              35/23              +1/+1
January 20:                                  42/28              35/23              +7/+5
January 21:                                  27/9                36/24               -9/-15
January 22:                                  14/2                36/24             -22/-22
January 23:                                  18/4                36/24             -18/-20
January 24:                                  18/8                36/24             -18/-16
January 25:                                  26/18              36/24             -10/-6
January 26:                                  27/15              36/24               -9/-9
January 27:                                  40/18              36/24              +4/-6
January 28:                                  16/10              36/24             -20/-14
January 29:                                  22/12              36/24             -14/-12
January 30:                                  27/11              36/24               -9/-13
January 31:                                  37/21              36/24              +1/-3
February 1:                                  42/28              36/24              +6/+4
February 2:                                  52/30              36/24            +16/+6
February 3:                                  37/21              36/24              +1/-3
February 4:                                  33/17              36/24               -3/-7
February 5:                                  34/26              37/25               -3/+1
February 6:                                  27/19              37/25              -10/-6
February 7:                                  32/20              37/25                -5/-5
February 8:                                  27/17              37/25              -10/-8
February 9:                                  28/12              37/25                -9/-13
February 10:                                26/18              37/25              -11/-7
February 11:                                24/10              38/26              -14/-16
February 12:                                23/9                38/26              -15/-17
February 13:                                35/23              38/26                -3/-3
February 14:                                42/28              38/26               +4/+2
February 15:                                36/26              38/26                -2/0
February 16:                                27/19              39/27              -12/-8
February 17:                                29/15              39/27              -10/-12
February 18:                                37/21              39/27                -2/-6
February 19:                                41/21              39/27               +2/-6
February 20:                                46/30              39/27               +7/+3
February 21:                                45/35              40/28               +5/+7
February 22:                                52/34              40/28             +12/+6
February 23:                                51/33              40/28             +11/+5
February 24:                                43/23              41/27               +2/-4
February 25:                                28/20              41/27              -13/-7
February 26:                                27/13              41/27              -14/-14
February 27:                                28/10              42/28              -14/-18
February 28:                                19/7                42/28              -23/-21         (Record Low Set)







-Highest Temperature: 68 degrees on December 22,2013
-Lowest Temperature:    0 degrees on January 4,2014





-# of Highs above normal:   30 days
-# of Highs right at normal:   1 day       (December 24,2013)
-# of Highs below normal:  39 days
-# of Highs at least 10 degrees above normal: 13 days
-# of Highs at least 10 degrees below normal: 20 days
-# of Highs at least 15 degrees above normal: 10 days
-# of Highs at least 15 degrees below normal:  9 days
-# of Highs at least 20 degrees above normal:  4 days
-# of Highs at least 20 degrees below normal:  4 days
-# of Record Highs: 2
-# of Record Lows: 4

Noah's Ark Set to be Erected in Kentucky

By: By Eric Zerkel
Published: February 28,2014







ArkEncounter, Youtube
An artist's rendering of the construction phase of a planned 510-foot ark in Kentucky.
America, round up your animals in pairs. After more than three years of roadblocks, a Christian ministry says it finally received adequate funding to erect a 510-foot ark akin to the one mentioned in the biblical tale of Noah. And if a three-story wooden boat doesn't satiate your thirst for the biblical, you're in luck. The ark is only the first wave in a flood of biblically-themed monuments set to be erected as a part of a $120 million theme park.
The theme park, dubbed Ark Encounter, was first proposed by the Christian ministry Answers in Genesis back in 2010. But private donations for the park ran dry and the prospect for a giant ark on the Kentucky hillside seemed doomed, reports the Associated Press. That all changed after Answers in Genesis president Ken Ham staged a highly publicized "creationism" vs. "science" debate against famed science proponent Bill Nye on Feb. 4.
According to the AP, the debate gave Ham a platform to revitalize both his Creation Museum and funding for the Ark Encounter project. An uptick in private donations coupled with a bond from the city of Williamsport, Ky. — the proposed site for the theme park — worth an estimated $61 million, reports the Associated Press, helped set the plans for construction in motion. Ark Encounter officials say most of the bonds were sold to investors, according to a report in The Courier-Journal. The Ark Encounter's website reports more than $14 million in private donations.
The first phase of the theme park, which will include the ark and a petting zoo, is expected to cost roughly $70 million, $24.5 million of which will be dedicated to building the ark alone, reports The Courier-Journal. In subsequent phases the theme park would add interactive attractions like animal shows, a special-effects theater and a rustic first-century village as well as other constructions related to Biblical tales like the "Tower of Babel." All told, the project will check-in at $120 million and spread across an 800-acre space off of I-75 roughly 40 miles south of downtown Cincinnati.
The decision hasn't been met without opposition, though. Science advocates argue the theme park would validate a "false account of world history and biology," reports the Courier-Journal. Ham and other creationists argue that the site would "present America and other nations with a reminder about the Bible's account of the Ark."
For politicians, the motivation to build the park appears to be purely economic. Williamstown Mayor Rick Skinner told the Courier-Journal that the town was "happy to be home to the Ark" and that construction of the theme park would create hundreds of jobs and attract attention to otherwise rural community.
Indeed, Grant County – which includes the city of Williamstown – economic development director Wade Gutman echoed those praises.
“Thank you for the jobs you are going to bring to Grant County," Gutman told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "Thank you for the economic impact it will have on Grant County.”
Even though construction is set to begin this year the park likely won't open up until 2016. In the meantime, maybe you can use your imagination to conjure up thoughts of just how terrifying a creepy, abandoned Ark would be.
MORE: Vintage Amusement Parks
1924: The rollercoaster ride at the fair at Wembley exhibition, London. (General Photographic Agency/Getty Images)

Why Astrophotographers Do What They Do (PHOTOS)

By: By Camille Mann
Published: February 28,2014
 
 
 
Photographer Nicholas Buer has traveled through the desert, tundra and Arctic, not to just capture landscapes, but to shoot them at night. Buer has battled a range of environments — from the Northern Lights above a waterfall in Iceland to the Milky Way above the desert in Chile — to capture incredible starry nights around the world.
“I have always had a passion for astronomy. Gazing up at the night sky has always filled me with a sense of wonder, but it has only been since recent advancements in [camera] technology that I have been able to capture the beauty of the night sky in ways I could have only dreamed of as a child,” the U.K.-born photographer told weather.com.
Since his first successful photo of the Milky Way in 2010, Buer, who is also an amateur astronomer, said he’s been “hooked.” Now he spends time carefully researching and planning his trips around the new moons. Even though he comes prepared, some things he can’t control.
(MORE: 25 Amazing Shots of the Night Sky)
“Every environment has its challenges. In the desert the dry air makes your skin crack and split,” Buer explained. “In the Arctic, the winds can pummel you with every gust, and when it is dark it can make conditions seem even more challenging.”
Shooting at night also poses problems. “At night your senses are heightened, every tree creak and wind whistle can seem more unnerving if you are unfamiliar with your surroundings.” To avoid confusion shooting at night, Buer tries to visit the location during the day “to get a feel for the area.”
In addition to scouting locales, Buer keeps a close eye on weather reports. “When you are an amateur astronomer you also have to be a meteorologist because, it should go without saying, but to see the stars the sky needs to be clear,” Buer said. “So I regularly monitor the weather… to find my best possible chance of clear skies.”
But apart from all of the shooting and planning Buer says he always takes time to “look away from the LCD screen and enjoy the moment,” which is something he came to appreciate even more after a chaotic trip to Chile. After spending a rough 36 hours of traveling that included broken planes, missed flights, lost luggage, Buer decided to lie on the ground and look up at the night’s sky.
(MORE: Stunning Night Skies You Won't See Anywhere Else)
“A few stars had started to appear. I knew the constellations so I could see that the Scorpius and Sagittarius were high in the sky even though it was still too light to see the central bulge of the Milky Way yet,” he said. “Then slowly more stars started to appear as the sun descended farther below the horizon and then, in what felt like a blink of the eye, our home galaxy revealed itself in all its overwhelming beauty.”
Moments like this, Buer explained, are why astrophotographers do what they do. To see more of Buer’s work visit his website, Facebook or Vimeo page.

National Weather Summary for February 28,2014 from weatherunderground.com

Weather Underground midday recap for Friday,February 28,2014

A very active weather system moved across the western third of the country on Friday, while several waves of low pressure trekked across the central U.S.

A cold frontal boundary inched across California on Friday, bringing much needed rain and snow to the drought ridden state. Flash flood warnings and coastal flood warnings were issued across southern California as several bands of heavy rain and thunderstorms pushed across the region. Oxnard, Calif., reported a midday total of 1.99 inches of rain, while Van Nuys, Calif., reported a midday total of 1.94 inches of rain. Winter storm warnings were issued across the central and southern Sierra Nevadas, as well as a handful of southern California mountain ranges. Mono, Calif., reported a midday total of 8.0 inches of snow.

A cold front also extended from the Pacific Northwest, over the Intermountain West and into the Plains on Friday, as blizzard warnings and wind chill warnings were issued across Montana. Cascade, Mont., reported a midday total of 6.0 inches of snow. Meanwhile, a pair of low pressure systems pushed across the central and southern Plains. Snow showers moved across the northern Plains and the upper Midwest, while a band of showers and thunderstorms inched across the Mississippi Valley. High Pressure kept the East Coast clear of precipitation.

This Date in Weather History for February 28,2014 from weatherforyou.com

Weather History
For Friday,February 28,2014
 
 
1900 - A massive storm spread record snows from Kansas to New York State. Snowfall totals rangeD up to 17.5 inches at Springfield IL and 43 inches at Rochester NY, with up to 60 inches in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. (David Ludlum)
1952 - An intense storm brought coastal sections of southeastern Massachusetts to a halt, stranding 3000 motorists on Lower Cape, and leaving ten thousand homes on the Cape without electricity. Winds gusting to 72 mph created mountainous snowdrifts of the 18 inches of snow which buried Nantucket and Hyannis. A barometric pressure reading of 29.02 inches was reported at the center of the storm. (The Weather Channel)
1987 - A powerful storm produced severe thunderstorms in Louisiana and Mississippi early in the day. About mid morning a monstrous tornado touched down near Moselle MS and grew to a width of two miles as it passed near Laurel MS. The tornado traveled a distance of 40 miles killing six persons, injuring 350 others, and causing 28.5 million dollars damage. The tornado swept homes right off their foundations, and tossed eighteen wheel trucks about like toys. Strong straight line winds associated with the powerful storm system gusted to 70 mph at Jonesboro AR and Carbondale IL. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - Thunderstorms in California produced severe weather during the early morning hours. Strong thunderstorm winds, gusting to 74 mph, downed trees in the Sacramento area. Unseasonably mild weather prevailed in the northwestern U.S. The afternoon high of 71 degrees at Portland OR was a February record. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1989 - Thunderstorms in the southeast corner of the nation produced winds gusts to 58 mph at Fort Lauderdale FL, and a total of seven inches of rain. Heavy snow whitened parts of the Northern Plateau and the Northern Rockies, with ten inches reported at Marion MT. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1990 - Showers and thunderstorms over the Southern Plains Region capped a record wet February for parts of Oklahoma. Totals for the month ranged up to 9.11 inches at McCurtain, with 4.63 inches reported at Oklahoma City. Snow and sleet fell across northern Oklahoma, with four inches reported at Freedom and Jefferson. Snow also spread across southern Kansas into Missouri and Arkansas, with six inches of snow reported at Harrison AR. In Alaska, February temperatures at Nome averaged 21 degrees below normal, ranging from -38 degrees to 29 degrees during the month. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

Severe Storms to Threaten Central Texas to Mississippi Sunday

By , Expert Senior Meteorologist
February 28,2014; 9:10PM,EST
 
 
As a snowstorm travels across the central Plains and Midwest, the potential for severe thunderstorms will exist Sunday from parts of central Texas to along the lower Mississippi River.
Most of the storms are forecast to fire in an area bounded by the I-10 and I-20 corridors.
The greatest risks from the storms are urban flooding, large hail and damaging wind gusts. However, this setup may also bring a few tornadoes. As a result, people living in or traveling through the aforementioned area will want to keep an eye out for rapidly changing weather conditions.

According to AccuWeather Enterprise Solutions Severe Weather Meteorologist Tyler Dewvall, "The storms are likely to fire first near Dallas, Texas, early Sunday morning, where the main threats are likely to be large hail and urban flooding."
As Sunday progresses, the storms will expand and shift southward and eastward.
"The greatest risk for a few tornadoes is Sunday afternoon, and that is most likely in portions of northeastern Texas to near or just north of Houston," Dewvall said.
The storms are likely to continue farther east into Sunday evening. During this time, the storms will move into parts of Arkansas, Louisiana and western Mississippi. The primary threat of the storms will shift toward damaging wind gusts, along with a continued threat for blinding downpours, urban flooding and an isolated tornado.
RELATED:
Major Snowstorm Kansas to Massachusetts on the Way
California Rain Brings Drought Relief, Flooding
AccuWeather Severe Weather Center

On the northern fringe of the severe weather area, including portions of Arkansas and northern Mississippi, a change to colder conditions could lead to ice or a wintry mix Sunday night.
During Sunday night into Monday, while the storms are likely to be less volatile east of the Mississippi River, there will be an ongoing risk for urban flooding and localized damaging wind gusts. This potential will exist from New Orleans to Montgomery, Ala., and Atlanta.

On Social Media
Texas Weather Board
TxWeaherBoard
The Storm Prediction Center issues a Slight Risk for severe storms for portions of Central, SE, E, NE Texas and... fb.me/6oi0OH30F
CyG_US_TX
CyG_US_TX
Severe Storms to Threaten Central Texas to Mississippi Sunday #NewsAd link CyG-NewsAgent.net/NewsAd.php?url…
Nick Hurst
ALStormChaser
Potential for severe weather across East Texas, extreme Southern Arkansas and Central/Northern Louisiana on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/mtKdVU36c6
 

World Weather Hot Spot for February 28-March 1,2014 from accuweather.com

Camarillo,California,USA: Heavy rain;received 1.91 inches of rain on Thursday (February 27,2014)

New Orleans May Sneak Away With a Rain-Free Mardi Gras

By Kristen Rodman, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer
February 28,2014; 9:09PM,EST
 
 
Despite a cold front and some rainy days surrounding the Mardi Gras holiday in New Orleans, the actual celebration day, Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2014, looks to remain dry.
A cold front will sweep through the area early Monday morning, dropping temperatures into the lower 40s, nearly 10 degrees below the region's normal March temperatures.
It will be a rainy and wet start to the week, as showers and possible thunderstorms roll into the city early Monday afternoon but the chances for showers will decrease into the evening hours. While a shower or two is still possible at night, it's likely that the region will be able to dry out overnight.

Despite drier weather, Fat Tuesday will feel cold as temperatures will only reach the 50s, approximately 15 degrees below the normal average for this time of year.
"It will definitely feel cold with a lot of clouds around," AccuWeather Meteorologist Carl Erickson said.
RELATED:
Detailed New Orleans Weather
Louisiana Weather Radar
Southeast Regional Weather Radar

However, another storm will form over the northwest Gulf on Tuesday, making light showers possible in New Orleans late Tuesday night.
For those headed home from the festivities on Wednesday, it will be a rainy and wet day in the area.

On Social Media
Dr. Bill Evans, LHD
Evansweather
Keeping eyes on 13th NYC snow storm from Jiminy Peak, Hancock, MA, talk to you from the slopes here Tomorrow! Fresh Tracks, Let's Go!
AccuWeather.com
accuweather
AccuFan #Weather Photo of the day: Afternoon light in Shokan, N.Y., taken by "watchscott" on 2/23/14. ow.ly/u7w6V #photooftheday
AccuWeather.com Videos
Brief Break from Winter Storms
Although some milder air will finally begin to melt the snow across the North, more storms are on the way this week.
 
 

Fierce Winter, Potholes Create a Maze for Travelers in Northeast

By Jenna Abate, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer
February 28,2014; 9:04PM,EST
 
 
Mayor de Blasio and DOT Commissioner Trottenberg launch comprehensive plan to battle potholes as the record-setting winter continues on Feb. 20, 2014.
Potholes are notorious for their annual appearances as wintry weather subsides and springlike temperatures slowly creep into the forecast. It's going to be a bumpy road to spring, and that is thanks to this year's potholes popping up sooner due to the frequent freeze-thaw cycle of this wild winter.
In Massachusetts, potholes have been so bad that for the first time ever Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has published their pothole hotline on their website so that the community can aid in spotting potholes quickly.
"It's pretty tough to gauge where the most or largest potholes will be especially because Massachusetts roads and bridges are exposed all year long but the hotline helps us prioritize where we need to be first, second and third," Michael Verseckes, public affairs officer of MassDot, said.
MassDot is trying to work as efficiently and as quickly through the I-95 corridor to make travel safe on the Massachusetts highways but unseasonable warming periods are making their job tough to keep up with.
Potholes are normal visitors during the Massachusetts springtime and with two rather recent warm periods, MassDOT has seen potholes sooner this year, Verseckes said.
Massachusetts has had some above- and below-freezing temperatures, and therefore Verseckes said the freeze-thaw process has sped up.

Conditions in Pennsylvania also have suffered due to the incessant freeze-thaw cycle.
"As for the current concern, potholes, the freeze-thaw cycles this year has resulted in more potholes than usual. Pennsylvania Department of Transpiration (PennDOT) crews are plowing and treating state roads to keep them passable when winter precipitation strikes and fixing potholes between winter events, George McAuley, assistant director executive for maintenance of PennDOT said.
RELATED:
Hidden Hazards of Road Salt: Car Corrosion Can Take a Toll
Five Ways Cold Can Damage Your Car
Snowstorm to Cause Major Disruptions From Chicago to NYC

However, thanks to a new piece of legislation, the roads in Pennsylvania should be repaired sooner rather than later. This, combined with revenue for much-needed and long-delayed projects, will bring tremendous benefits to Pennsylvanians on the roads.
"Thanks to the recent passage of the new Transportation Funding Bill, once winter is over, we will be resurfacing more roads and fixing more bridges starting this year. With Pennsylvania's aggressive freeze-thaw cycle, we will always see potholes, but the funding bill will ensure that our forces and the private sector through construction contracts can reconstruct roadways on which we could previously only patch potholes," McAuley said.
It seems as though no Northeastern metropolitan area was spared by the wintry weather hangover. New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) is reporting staggering numbers. The weekend of Feb. 21, 2014, 100 crews were dispatched to resurface key portions of major highways throughout the city.
"Our crews have been hard at work all winter long maintaining the city's roadways as they experience wear-and-tear due to the significant snowfall and cold weather," Nicholas Mosquera, spokesperson for NYCDOT, said.

Number of NYC Potholes as of Feb. 26, 2014

Borough
# of Potholes
Bronx
26,113
Brooklyn
45,466
Manhattan
20,240
Queens
36,692
Staten Island
16,769
Total
145,280
Potholes have become such an issue that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has set aside $7.3 million to facilitate and accelerate the extraordinary number of road repairs needed this winter. The 100 crews released the weekend of Feb. 21, 2014, will be the first of many weekly pothole blitzes to fix the issues beginning in March.
NYC's administrative departments clearly recognize the issue and these blitzes are apart of the stepped-up efforts the city is making on pothole repair.
In the meantime, social media has been used to keep records of the potholes throughout the Northeast. Mosquera said that NYCDOT has a "Daily Pothole" Tumblr page where statistics, pictures, and memes making light of the situation have been posted.
Twitter has been flooded with TwitPics and digital accounts of #PotholeProblems.
But it's not all bad; two Montreal-based photographers were able to make light of the pesky potholes via Elite Daily.

POTHOLES you might say one good thing about Boston's potholes is you get to see the historic past of cobblestones

Interviewing cabbies for who are in a long line to get tires repaired courtesy NYC's potholes


On Social Media
Indy DPW
IndyDPW
We are about to see yet another freeze-thaw cycle over the weekend. Perfect conditions for potholes. #HistoricWinter
Jenna Abate
Jenna_Abate
Beware potholes as winter starts to wind down! My latest on the bumpy situation via @accuweather! bit.ly/1eGFnwx
 

National Temperature and Rainfall Extremes for February 28,2014 from accuweather.com

As of 9PM,EST/6PM,PST




Daily U.S. Extremes

past 24 hours

  Extreme Location
High 86° Edinburg, TX
Low -37° Orr, MN
Precip 1.99" Oxnard, CA

Today's Worst Weather for February 28,2014 from accuweather.com

Elephant Rock,California: Rainy and Windy

Kansas to Massachusetts: Up to a Foot of Snow to Fall Across 1,300 Miles

By , Expert Senior Meteorologist
February 28,2014; 7:00PM,EST
 
 
March may not come in like a lion everywhere across the nation, but winter will roar during the first several days of the month and impact more than 100 million people.
Snow will expand from the northern Rockies and central Plains to portions of the Midwest this weekend, reaching the Northeast early next week.
The adverse winter conditions will develop Friday into Saturday over the Plains and is forecast to shift slowly eastward Sunday and Monday.
These locations are expected to add to their already abundant snowfall so far this winter.
Snowfall from the cross-country storm will exceed 1,500 miles on its journey. There is the potential for more than 6 inches of snow to fall along a 1,300-mile stretch from Topeka, Kan., to Kansas City, Mo.; Peoria, Ill.; Indianapolis; Columbus, Ohio; Pittsburgh; Philadelphia; New York City; Hartford, Conn.; Providence, R.I.; and Boston. Some locations along this swath could end up with a foot of snow or more.

People traveling by road or airways should expect major long-lasting delays as this area of snow expands eastward and crawls along.
For a time, the snow or a wintry mix will impact areas between the I-70 and I-90 corridors over the Rockies and Plains and the I-64 to I-90 corridors in the Midwest and East. From the Midwest to the Northeast, portions of I-80 could close for a time due to a very heavy snowfall rate. Snowfall rates at the height of the storm may reach 2 inches per hour.

Major airport hubs from Kansas City, Mo., Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Detroit, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City and Boston may all be directly affected by the storm with the potential for thousands of delays and/or cancelations. Ripple-effect flight delays and cancelations are likely to reach nationwide.

One batch of snow will push slowly eastward Saturday into Sunday from the Great Lakes to part of the central Appalachians. It is during this first batch where Chicago, Detroit and Buffalo, N.Y., are likely to get most of the snow from the event.
However, it is during the last part of the storm, when the heaviest and longest-lasting snow is likely to occur centered farther south and in part of the coastal Northeast. The heaviest snow is projected to be Sunday to Sunday night over the northern Ohio Valley states to part of the central Appalachians and Sunday night and Monday in the coastal Northeast.
Initially, the storm will evolve into a blizzard over the northern Rockies and northern High Plains with dangerously low AccuWeather RealFeel® temperatures.
Farther east, the storm may be less intense in terms of wind and low RealFeel extremes, but precipitation can be quite heavy and very disruptive. The storm is likely to impact not only travel, but also school and business activities. The storm may completely tap remaining ice-melting supplies in some communities.
RELATED:
Rough Winter to Lag Well Into March for Midwest, East
California Rain Brings Drought Relief, Flooding
AccuWeather Winter Weather Center

According to AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Elliot Abrams, "The challenge with this storm is figuring out where the north-south boundary between rain and snow will set up and migrate to as the storm progresses slowly eastward."
A tremendous temperature contrast will set up from north to south with the storm. A distance of 100 miles could bring temperatures ranging from the 60s and 70s to the 20s and 30s and the difference between rain, ice and snow.
"In a narrow swath, all or part of the storm will deliver snow that may be difficult to shovel and plow, due to its accumulation and weight," Abrams said.
Ice is a concern in between the heavy snow and soaking rain area.

"Because of the great amount of moisture available to this storm, a narrow zone of heavy ice can occur with downed trees and power outages," Abrams said.
A shift in storm track by as little as a few dozen miles and more of a press of cold air could make the difference between heavy snow, light snow, ice and rain.
In the warm air on the southern flank of the storm, drenching rain and thunderstorms will occur. Long-duration rainfall will occur near the rain/snow line, while the potential for strong to locally severe thunderstorms sweeping through is greatest over the lower Mississippi Valley.

On Social Media
MarketWeight
MarketWeight
Western economy collapses. Chicago PMI doubles. Northeast home sales triple. -------> ANOTHER Storm: Up to Foot of Snow Across 1,300 Miles
Kristin Mena
kmenaaa
There's already a lot of hype & we'll maybe get an inch... #stlwx | Snowstorm to Cause Major Disruptions accuweather.com/en/weather-new…
Jay
unholyglee
Dear Nature, Why? WHY? WHYYYYYYYYY LADY? (Snowstorm to Cause Major Disruptions From Chicago to NYC accuweather.com/en/weather-new…) Sincerely, Me
Marcy McGowan
marcylauren
Kansas to Massachusetts: Up to a Foot of Snow to Fall Across 1,300 Miles accuweather.com/en/weather-new… This sucks!
Janice Dean
JaniceDean
Big snow/ice event this weekend from the Plains/MS River/Ohio River/Northeast and Midatlantic. I'm naming this one Winter Storm Angry.
Steve Goddard
SteveSGoddard
Experts warn that there isn't enough snow for skiing anymore accuweather.com/en/weather-new… pic.twitter.com/eMv4MizKsp
Tony Schumacher
schumacher_waow
Don't go south to escape winter for now. Heavy snow to bury Kansas City, Indianapolis to the East Coast by Sunday. accuweather.com/en/weather-new…
Robert Whitmore
rwhitmmx
CHILL OUT: ANOTHER Storm: Up to Foot of Snow Across 1,300 Miles... accuweather.com/en/weather-new…
Steve Fermier
SteveFermier
Central PA, Sunbury, Danville, Pottsville, Williamsport could get 18 inches from the storm. accuweather.com/en/weather-new…
Nettie Britts
nettie_b
Note Southern 'springlike warmth' RT @DRUDGE_REPORT: ANOTHER Storm: Up to Foot of Snow Across 1,300 Miles... drudge.tw/1hZmTPS
Maria Molina
FoxMariaMolina
High Impact Storm: hitting West w/heavy rain & mountain snow, Midwest/Plains this wknd with snow & ice, then Northeast Sunday into Monday!
Kevin Harned
KevinHarned
Be prepared! High impact storm moves into the area Sunday. Rain, ice & snow followed by bitter cold, strong winds. Power outages possible.
Michael Bayer
mbayer1248
Current models predicting a foot of snow for the Northeast on Sunday. I blame the groundhog accuweather.com/en/weather-new… pic.twitter.com/fdeXcmBsbs
Todd B. Bates
ToddBBatesAPP
"Kansas to Massachusetts: Up to a Foot of Snow to Fall Across 1,300 Miles" accuweather.com/en/weather-new… #weather #environment #NJenviro #NJ
Middleboro Jones
Leadership_One
Read it & Weep - Up to a Foot of Snow to Fall Across SE #Massachusetts accuweather.com/en/weather-new… Time to drink heavily pic.twitter.com/9uzEDZhSmD
Jim Wilhelm
BreakingNewzman
#Pittsburgh could take a big hit from winter storm. Counties south like Greene and Fayette may get nasty ice hit-> ow.ly/u5804
 
Kevin Harned
KevinHarned
Be prepared! High impact storm moves into the area Sunday. Rain, ice & snow followed by bitter cold, strong winds. Power outages possible.
Michael Bayer
mbayer1248
Current models predicting a foot of snow for the Northeast on Sunday. I blame the groundhog accuweather.com/en/weather-new… pic.twitter.com/fdeXcmBsbs