Ft. Lee, Virginia.
Near blizzard-like conditions with over 6 inches of snow on the ground.
Significant drifts caused by winds gusting 30-35 knots. Ft. Lee has
actually closed today. I originally thought that that was an
overreaction, but after walking around in this for a few minutes I have
changed my mind.
At 2330 24 January, I observed rain with sleet coming down. Changover
from this mixture to snow began at about 2355 and by 0005 it appeared to
have changed completely over to snow. Observed winds appeared to be
gusting to about 20 knots. Interestingly, I also saw a herd of 12-14
deer skirting the woodline while the rain/freezing rain/sleet mixture
was coming down.
At 0655 I saw a changed world. Previous snowfall here did not obfuscate
ground features such as sidewalks, manhole covers, etc. This snowfall
has smoothed all these things out of view. Winds have caused drifts
which are burying vehicles to their leeward in the parking lot. Except
for my truck and a few other vehicles parked perpendicularly to the wind
direction. Looks as if I only have to worry about clearing away snow
for half the vehicle at this point, but I can't see the other side from
where I am. I was considerably startled when a gust blew a bunch of
snow off the eaves and a line of distrubed snow just seemed to
materialize a few inches away from the toes of my shoes (and splattered
me). Just about pitched my coffee cup through the upstairs balcony in
my surprise.
This is indeed quite a spectacle. Howling winds, horizontally flying
snow, and snow drifts seem to characterize this situation quite well.
--MICHAEL G. KAMEI, M.En.
"...once war is forced upon us, there is no alternative than to apply every available means to bring it to a swift end. War's very object is victory - not prolonged indecision. In war, indeed, there can be no substitute for victory."
General Douglas MacArthur Supreme Commander, U.N. Forces, 1951
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