USA Severe Cold weather ...Swirling 'Polar Vortex' Over Northern US

[micjer]

That looked damn cold at the Packers game on Sunday also. 

[astr0144]

Freeze! Escaped Convict Surrenders In The Cold.

Hard to say if this guy made the right decisions after he escaped from prison... but it may have been unfortunate timing on his behalf....Or maybe he just had no other choices at the time and he could not think or see any alternative due to the severe cold...


Sub-zero temperatures in Kentucky have forced an escaped prisoner to give up his short-lived life on the run.

Robert Vick, who fled from a minimum security facility in Lexington on Sunday, surrendered to authorities on Monday after temperatures in the region plunged in the freezing weather sweeping across the States.

Vick walked into a motel and told the clerk he wanted to turn himself in and escape the Arctic air, Lexington police spokeswoman Sherelle Roberts said.

Wind chill readings in Lexington were -29C (-20F) on Monday.

"This was definitely of his own volition," Ms Roberts said. "It's cold out there, too cold to run around. I can understand why the suspect would turn himself in."



http://uk.news.yahoo.com/freeze-escaped-convict-surrenders-cold-210555817.html#Wbu9WrV

[The Seeker]

Zorgon, I know we have had this conversation before in another thread; the movie "The Day after Tomorrow" is based on the book "The coming Global Superstorm" by none other than Art Bell...
My advice to everyone is the same as yours; be prepared, hopefully live in a more southernly area{ it was 5 degrees this morning here in NW Georgia} I have a wood stove as a back up heat source, a generator to run my well pump, couple three chainsaws plus axes and wedges, 8 acres of trees that I own, around a year's worth of non-perishable food stock plus my seed stocks...

it just blows my mind at how many citizens do not have a clue about basic survival skills...

mayhap it is time to start a thread covering the basics...


seeker

[sky otter]

yeah seeker..those are good things..but the last two years the growing season has changed in ways not to be dealt with..unless you are growing in one of those tunnel systems..the weather is a roller coaster..up - down- hot- dry-wet..all in spades.. and only about 3 days or less each..
the plants are so mixed up ..that's the worst of it

we were very cold for yesterday and today..tom. it's to go to 24 and then into the 40's and then back down...roller coaster...keeps you on your toes for sure

before the freeze all my bulbs were up with 2/3 inch sprouts..they are probably dead for sure now..there was so little snow cover..

add some blankets and soap to your stuff..and if folks don't know the basics by now i don't think
there's much time for them ...sadly

[dasioux777]

well heres the link to the terracotta flowerpot candle heater  instructions

here how to make olive oil candle



                                                            sent with great love

[Amaterasu]

And some of Us have a clue and are still working on methods of affording any prep...

[deuem]

I have a wood stove as a back up heat source, a generator to run my well pump, couple three chainsaws plus axes and wedges, 8 acres of trees that I own, around a year's worth of non-perishable food stock plus my seed stocks...

      Seeker                                                       Deuem

wood stove as a back up heat source,                      Lots of blankets and my honey [or wife] a generator to run my well pump                             What ever water is left in the cooler couple three chainsaws                                          One chinese carpenters saw with no teeth plus axes and wedges,                                           Big Bone cutting knife and rocks 8 acres of trees                                                     No trees, no grass, no worms. lots of concrete a year's worth of non-perishable food stock               Buy food every day plus my seed stocks                                               Several packs of seeds from the states

Guess I'm gonna die first or I can go out side and nibble on a few skinny locals. Just hope they don't look at me as a feast on feet.

Deuem, I'm dead

[The Seeker]

yeah seeker..those are good things..but the last two years the growing season has changed in ways not to be dealt with..unless you are growing in one of those tunnel systems..the weather is a roller coaster..up - down- hot- dry-wet..all in spades.. and only about 3 days or less each..
the plants are so mixed up ..that's the worst of it

we were very cold for yesterday and today..tom. it's to go to 24 and then into the 40's and then back down...roller coaster...keeps you on your toes for sure

before the freeze all my bulbs were up with 2/3 inch sprouts..they are probably dead for sure now..there was so little snow cover..

add some blankets and soap to your stuff..and if folks don't know the basics by now i don't think
there's much time for them ...sadly

Aye, furry little sister, I do have several blankets and quilts, not to mention those shiny space blankets that work so well, have a supply of assorted anti-bacterial soaps and body washes, bleach, canning jars and supplies, medical kit...

the last two springs here my garden drowned except for my tomato beds; am going to build a couple of Thor's homeboy hoop houses{greenhouses} and hopefully keep the squash, okra, and tomatoes n cucumbers going; I put those in raised beds anyway, just have to do some serious work on the corn and beans to keep them drained...


seeker

[The Seeker]

Deuem my friend, I have been slowly making preps since the days of Jimmy Carter and then Ronald Reagan, a little at a time, doesn't take much, just a gradual process... haven't seen any deer for the last few years, but I do have a plethora of squirrels and rabbits plus many lakes to fish...

take care my friend...


seeker

[rdunk]

Another report on this "historical cold spell", from wwgp 1050:

US Coast Guard Battles Ice to Keep Shipping Channels Open

"The Coast Guard said it was the earliest the ice had frozen here since the 1930s, and the river connecting Lakes Superior and Huron has been some of the toughest ice they have seen. With cutting through ice, the noise is loud and constant".

http://www.wwgp1050.com/2014/01/07/us-coast-guard-battles-ice-to-keep-shipping-channels-open/

[deuem]

Seeker, I would have to head for the hills, get out to the inlaws. If I could make it there, we are all set. So I need my SUV and 1/4 tank of gas, 2 hour ride at 30kph. Depending on how much time I had to react and who is in the way would be more of a problem.

We have a million folks in the region. They might all think the same thing. And then there is human nature. Do people help each other or bump them off and take their stuff. When it comes to starvation people change.

The good thing is we are a lot higher in elevation now, over the 1,000 ft mark and also in an area that should never be targeted by any other country. No military bases here that I can find. Just mountains everywhere. In those mountains are bores [wild pigs], monkeys, snakes, goats, wild birds and lots of vegatation you can eat. All the mountains leak fresh water. I'm sure that most of the locals would go out of their way to either help me or eat me. Must be careful. Deuem is not on the menu.

Deuem

[micjer]

The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) January 28, 2014
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/articles/cold-temperatures-snow-and-ice-hit-popular-warm-weather-tourist-destinations-in-the-southern-us/20256/

[sky otter]

and now a frost quake.. really..unreal

hubby woke up with the wind hitting the house the other night around 4 and said he saw lightning too
the last wind and below zero temps took out our greenhouse ( it was coming down in the spring but dang)


http://www.timesherald.com/general-news/20140124/frost-quakes-a-real-possibility-geologist-says

Frost quakes a real possibility, geologist says
By MICHAEL ROKNICK, The Sharon Herald
Posted: 01/24/14, 4:54 PM EST |

SHARON, Pa. (AP) — If you heard a bang or felt the earth shake a bit Tuesday night you weren't alone.

The noise and accompanying vibration were reported from Hubbard to South Pymatuning Township.

Unlike the mysterious explosion sounds people reported hearing last summer in various parts of Mercer County, this sound was literally closer to home.

"It was like something hit the house," people said over and over again.

While he can't say with scientific certainty, geologist Lindell Bridges said he believes the sound came from a phenomenon known as cryoseisms - more commonly known as frost quakes.

"I think it's a very good possibility," Bridges said of the clamor and vibrationst. "I think that's exactly what you heard."

The president of Pure Earth Resources LLC in Sharpsville is called upon for his services in the oil, gas and mining industries. And while he never experienced a frost quake firsthand, he believes there's a strong case to be made that such an event occurred in the area.

"It's pretty uncommon for it to happen — but that doesn't mean it didn't happen," he said.

During past couple weeks frost quakes have been reported in Canada, Wisconsin, Vermont, Cincinnati and elsewhere.

Two primary elements are needed to trigger frost quakes - water saturated ground and a sharp drop in temperature. Both conditions were present; heavy rains last week soaked the ground and in recent days temperatures rapidly dropped more than 40 degrees.

Frost quakes occur mainly at night when temperatures bottom out. As the water in the ground freezes, it expands and cracks the soil, bedrock or stones around it to create room.

"It's something like an earthquake, Bridges said. "The reason you get an earthquake is stress builds up in the ground and it breaks and releases stored-up energy."

There are significant differences. Earthquakes occur a mile or two beneath the surface when fault lines shift. Frost quakes are five feet beneath the surface or closer.

"It sounds like the near surface groundwater was frozen and built up some stress and finally exceeded the stress limit and it broke just like an earthquake - only much closer to the surface," Bridges said.

Besides the sound and vibration, people have reported seeing distant flashing lights before or during frost quakes. Those likely are caused by electrical changes when rocks are compressed. Cracks and fissures may also be seen on the surface, which can range from a few inches up to a couple miles.

Bridges advised anyone who might have experienced a frost quake to check around their homes.

"I would inspect around the house to see if anything is out of order," he said. "I doubt that it would crack a foundation. But if you have a natural gas or water line and smell or see gas or water seeping, call the gas or water company. Those lines are probably deeper than any damage you might see on the surface - but it's better to be safe than sorry."

Mercer County 911 said dispatchers had not received any reports of loud sounds or damage.




good pictures here but won't let me copy..sorry


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2538979/Wisconsin-cold-experiencing-ice-quakes.html

'Ice quakes' hit Wisconsin: Deep booms heard in the middle of the night cracks open in frozen ground
Ice quakes occur when water sinks into the soil, freezes and expands
The expansion causes a popping sound that can sound like gunshots and even feel like an earthquake

[micjer]

Here is one of them

The winter that will not end! 

[Gigas]

Wouldn't ya know

How convenient that a propane shortage erupts just as the polar plunge starts. Wisconsin, michigan and probably Minnesota are under a propane shortage with people being gouged on what little propane their suppliers will deliver only to customers with cash in hand.

Started a couple weeks ago as temps went below zero. Right now its -5 here and was colder last couple a days. Folks up north are in a panic with this polar vortex propane shock wave.

Seems propane was 1.99, then 3.99 and now I read 6.99 a gallon with suppliers limiting the fill amount and must have cash in hand to dump.

They opened get warm shelters but that doesn't help the frozen pipes. This is no coincidence.

The Gov walker did a state of emergency and waved the weight limit for propane trucks and waved the driver service hours so trucks can bring in the propane and deliver.

Its been dam cold here and well below zero for many days and nights. Somebodies doing something with the weather and manipulating heating demand.