7 February 2010
This morning dawned clear and cold at 5oF. We’re back in the deep freeze, but this time with an official 21.1 inches of snow. This is the fourth largest snowfall since Pittsburgh began keeping records in 1884 and it sets the record for February.
After the snow stopped falling yesterday, the sun came out and the air felt almost balmy. Heavy snow began to fall off the trees, people came outdoors to dig out their cars and I took a walk to Schenley Park to see what was going on.
The snow was up to my knees. I had to walk in the road, but so did everyone else and there were very few cars. If I hadn’t been able to walk where it was plowed I’d never have made the 3.7 miles round trip.
When I got to Phipps Conservatory I found the sign show at top. Yes, there are tropics inside their building but it was closed. All the action was on Flagstaff Hill, mobbed by thrill-seekers with snowboards, saucer-sleds and makeshift toboggans.
As promised I took a lot of pictures on my low quality cell phone, shown in the slideshow below. (Click on any image to see the slideshow in its own lightbox.)
Cars and their tracks are buried
The tropics are definitely wishful thinking today.
p.s. Here’s a map of the total snowfall. Notice how Pittsburgh, Westmoreland County and the mountains got the most snow!
(photos by Kate St. John)
Thanks for sharing your pictures; took alot myself yesterday. Other tenants & me in condo did our cars yesterday & the plow has put about 4 ft. behind them so a kind gentleman did mine & another tenants. Haven’t been out yet today but plan on doing so; need gas, trip to drug store.
This morning saw many birds of prey flying across Bridgeville skies. WIth the snow sodeep the little critters are probably scurrying around under it or still sleeping. Food will be hard to come by. The trees are beautiful but nature does not make it easy for the winter birds & critters. There will be no melting much either & we are to get 2-4 more this week. All I hear outside are branches cracking in the woods. We were very fortunate, no power outages. Just off & on for several seconds tho, scary with a husband on oxygen but we have back up stuff so we just went with the flow ( of snow!!!) Faith Cornell
Beautiful photos, Kate. Your phone camera does a great job. Southerners may have warmth, but they don’t have beautiful days like a winter day after a fresh snowfall.