FreshUbuntu

The storm caught me unsuspected this past month even though the regional weather reporters had predicted it days in advanced.  But, who besides a true pessimist can trust folks who predict rain and gloom 99% of the time during the months of November through May and sometimes into June.  I have become a completely cynical towards most any prediction even from weather people who I presume get scientifically sound data and then extrapolate that data to get to a clear and unified conclusion.  Maybe it's just me, but I have been burned once too often by weathermen especially while living in the Pacific Northwest.  Prediciting a sunny and warm day then being doused with a sudden squall as you are about to goto work is just an all too common occurance though the summers here are without a doubt gorgeous.  So, back to the storm, it was a combination of things that set the conditions just right for a white Christmas.  First, a cold front coming in from the northeast bringing in freezing temparatures.  Then, the famous Pineapple Express (not the movie mind you), a phenomenon of a westerly wind known as the "jetstream" that dips down into the south Pacific Ocean bringing in warm and moist air from places like Bora Bora and Java up towards the northwest tip of the United States and Canada.  The meeting of the two storm fronts happened, well, right here and in many parts of the Pacific Northwest.  Perhaps the hardest hit being the whole state of Washington.  But, Oregon got its share with the brunt taken by Portland which is 50 miles to the north of me.  It was quite a fascinating and wonderful time of year being Christmas and all.  Add the snow and you have yourself a white Christmas that will be remembered for a long time.  Here are some pictures of the beginning of the ice storm that shut down schools and businesses throughout the region.  Shortly after the photos were taken 8 inches of snow fell from the sky and an accumulated 12 inches were on the ground which I meant to take pictures of but just didn't get around to.