Whitegrass 12/8
December 9, 2011
12/7 - I saw the Weather Channel and other forecasts of the coming 'snow event' and made my decision. Midweek snow & retirement are good buddies. The mistake was waiting until 1:30 to leave Fairfax. Rain pounded down and temp dropped but too slowly; 40 at WV line, 39 in Moorefield, 37 in Seneca Rocks. The first flakes were spotted at the bottom of Allegheny Mtn. and by the top it was snowing about as intensely as I've ever seen. The flakes were huge and reflected headlights so as to almost blind. Fog lights didn't help much. It was 20 mph white knuckle driving for the rest of the way. I was very grateful to have just put the snowtires on and for the Outback's AWD. At least a half dozen times I had to use the lane for oncoming traffic to pass a stopped truck, car, or in one case, school bus, on an uphill, an unnerving proposition at best. Blackwater Falls Lodge was the goal but after cresting the Rt 32 grade and entering the valley it was changed to Canaan Valley Lodge. I have never been so grateful to end a bad weather drive.
12/8, lots of people at WG. Several confirmed that driving in the 5-6 hour the previous evening was about as bad as they'd ever seen. Unfortunately less than an inch fell after 7 PM. The total fall was probably 6" but hard to tell because the open areas were scoured to near bare ground and there was heavy drifting in other places. The ground was warm, the middle heavy and the top wind crusted in many places, variable in others. I am a bad snow lover, or more honestly, a lover of snow that almost kicks my butt. Then I can smugly tell others that it's 'challenging but fun'. I had to quit after just a couple runs. I've had a bad sinus infection and been on antibiotic for a couple days but not yet up to par. This snow should last and help to build a good base.
"The total fall was probably 6" but hard to tell because the open areas were scoured to near bare ground and there was heavy drifting in other places" (quote by Denis)
Chagas Paper towel Cam at 3300' showed 8 inches which is what I called for at the bottom of TL's Chairlift & Dave Lesher at 3715' reported 10 inches & that should have confirmed my predict of 11 to 12 for the highest most northern Mtns (MPC/Wiess Knob)...SS further South only got 4 inches. What you saw was a very settled Snow pack due to the Warm ground & very moist Snow (huge Flakes)
It was well advertised to be a Quick Hard hitter & I posted that fact a # of times leading up to the Snow storm...Might Have been funner at 7pm the night before under the lights at TL but like you said..you were just Glad you made it safe to tell the Tale!!
