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Monday 8 January 2018

A bomb cyclone

They called it a bomb cyclone. We were as ready as we could be, food, water, generator and outside items stored away. The winds were forecast to gust to 140 kilometers an hour. At the least, we expected to lose shingles.


Forecasters use the term cyclone when warm and cold air masses collide and produce a rotating pattern with a subsequent drop in barometric pressure. When the pressure drops 24 millibars in 24 hours, it is known as a weather bomb. We kept a close eye on our barometer prior to this storm. We had never seen it this low. 




It started with a heavy snowfall. Then the winds picked up. After several hours, the snow turned to ice pellets, then rain, as the temperature climbed. The winds increased, gusts hitting the house, shaking the balcony, windows and roof. It was impossible to sleep upstairs.


The family room downstairs was our best choice. My husband and I settled in for the night but even on the lower level, where we rarely hear wind or rain, we could hear the gusts slam into the house.


We keep an afghan made by my husband’s grandmother, Classie, in our family room. 




The multi-coloured crocheted wool cover, sized for a double bed, is at least thirty years old. That night it was a comfort, huge and warm, a hug from Classie which helped us sleep in spite of the raging storm.


We lost shingles but not power. The next day, the temperature dropped and we’ve been in a deep freeze with high winds and temperatures equivalent to the -30s C. Winter in eastern Canada can be quite an adventure.

48 comments:

Linda d said...

But you take in stride. Keep warm and safe.

DJan said...

It sounds terrifying. I'm so glad you had a safe place, and a safe afghan to protect you from the storm! :-)

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Sounds awful! Glad you have Classie's afghan! Stay warm!

Tabor said...

Sorry about the loss of shingles, but glad that is all. That is scary. I thought our edge of the storm was bad, but yours does sound worse.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Yikes! That sounds a little too exciting Marie 😊 I might not complain so much about my 35C in summer anymore!

Jenn said...

Crazy! Glad you didn't lose power. Stay warm! Weirdly I heard the term bomb cyclone for the first time yesterday.

William Kendall said...

You certainly did get hit by that system!

Celia said...

What a rip roarer of a storm. So glad you kept your power and had a snuggly room to stay in. Love the afghan.

Mage said...

What a powerful norwester. I'm so glad you two are ok. Stay warm now. That Afgan is beautiful.

Elephant's Child said...

Glad to hear that you escaped relatively lightly. And can't help thinking that the hug from Classie must have helped.

Down by the sea said...

It makes our winds of 70 miles an hour feel mild in comparsion and that was bad enough I can't imagine what it would be like to be double that! Hope you are keeping safe and warm. Sarah x

Bill said...

Wow, that sure sounds very intense. Glad you didn't lose power and were safe. Stay warm and safe. Hopefully the weather will improve for you.

Joanne Noragon said...

Glad you made it through so well. How I miss a garage! We (Laura) was an hour getting through the ice on the car.

Barb said...

Though the weather outside was nasty, your inside looks cozy! Thank goodness power wasn't lost. We're due for some high winds here in Breckenridge this week, too.

Shammickite said...

We missed the storm, but it has been SO COLD! I really can't go outside for long when it's -25C and very windy, too dangerous. Thank goodness it's a little milder today.

Danielle L Zecher said...

That sounds scary and awful. I don't think I'd handle it very well if our winters were like that. I'm glad you didn't lose power.

Barbara said...

Oh my goodness. That is so much cold. I hope you are able to stay safe and warm until this bad boy cyclone is over.

Anvilcloud said...

You were certainly walloped.

Catarina said...

I was waiting for this post!
I heard about the storm, of course, and thought of you.
It is very scary to say the least.

jenny_o said...

Such a good account of the reason behind the storm and of the storm itself, Marie. It is such a relief when the power stays on, isn't it?

The Happy Whisk said...

Love the blanket!

Anonymous said...

Hi Marie! Glad you didn't lose power! I hope it warms up for you. Our weather is warming up this week for a little rest from the cold. Beautiful wool cover! Andrea

The Furry Gnome said...

I will stop complaining about winter now!

Marie Smith said...

We will, Linda. Thank you.

Marie Smith said...

It was a bad storm, Jan.

Marie Smith said...

Classie’s afghan kept us warm, Debra.

Marie Smith said...

A new metal roof will fix the shingle loss when the weather allows the work, Tabor.

Marie Smith said...

I can’t imagine that heat, PDP.

Marie Smith said...

It was a new one for me too, Jenn.

Marie Smith said...

It was bad, William.

Marie Smith said...

We fared well. Celia.

Marie Smith said...

It was a terrible storm, Mage

Marie Smith said...

It was, EC.

Marie Smith said...

Our gusts only got up to 100 km/hr, Sarah. That’s why the damage wasn’t so bad.

Marie Smith said...

Let's hope, Bill.

Marie Smith said...

A garage is a real treasure to me, Joanne.

Marie Smith said...

Good luck, Barb.

Marie Smith said...

It’s warming up here too, Shammi.

Marie Smith said...

It was awful, Danielle.

Marie Smith said...

Thank goodness it wasn’t longer, Barbara.

Marie Smith said...

Indeed, AC.

Marie Smith said...

Thank you, Catarina.

Marie Smith said...

Losing the power is bad in those temperatures, Jenny.

Marie Smith said...

Thanks, HW.

Marie Smith said...

Thanks, Andrea.

Marie Smith said...

Wish it was spring, FG.

Debbie said...

i love a good storm but this one was a monster, more than we bargained for!!

the afghan is so colorful and beautiful!!

Marie Smith said...

It is a cozy afghan too, Debbie!