Dry Ice: The MOST Hidden Danger of Winter

 Dry ice - we are all familiar with it.  Typically we see it at 80's tribute band concerts and high school plays.

When dry ice is indoors, it's controlled...and safe

However, that's not the dry ice gaining attention this winter season.  Like it's cousin, black ice, dry ice is difficult to spot.  Black ice appears as slick wet pavement, but is in fact a thin layer of frozen horror.

Dry ice is even more difficult to see.  It appears as a completely dry road surface.  The only thing that makes it noticeable at all is the extreme caution drivers use when going over it.  So the next time you are caught in slow moving winter traffic, and there seems to be no apparent reason for it, don't get angry.

Some communities now use farm vehicles or even horse and buggy to lead the way in the crusade against dry ice.

 Instead, be grateful that someone up ahead discovered the dry ice and slowed to a safe speed, ensuring you and other motorists don't slide wildly off the side off what appears to be a completely dry and normal road surface.

Have you encountered any dry ice?  Let us know and we will tweet out warnings.  Remember, we are all in this together.

As always, the Chester County Weather Insider is ahead of the curve, bringing cutting edge coverage of stories that matter.  

Helena Arrives With Little Warning, and Even Less Impact

Helena arrived in Chester County with very little fanfare on Thursday evening, and after a few hours we kind of saw why.  This event was really only significant for a handful of reasons:

1. It was the first snow of 2017
2. It was the first system responsible for a delay at AGSD
3. It allowed CCWI to implement new FB Technology and begin true Go-Cam Live Footage and narratives (for better or worse.)

Helena managed only a 1.2 on the WAIF

"The system was relatively weak as it approached on Thursday, and limped along in a predictable fashion allowing us to get the roads treated before she arrived," said  Tim Grabowski, at ChesDOT.  "After about 4 hours of continuous snow, the NWS was still only predicting snow at an 80% likelihood, which is a good indication of what little power this system packed.  Like when we were kids, and our little brother was hitting us and we pretended not to notice..."

Snow covered the ground and the NWS still only gave Helena an 80% chance of amounting to anything. #itsamansworld

However, by time the storm was over, she had left her mark.  A tricky dusting of flakes and spots of ice in corn fields and on ponds had local schools taking no risks, delaying the start of classes for 2 hours.  

We sent our West Grove Correspondent out this morning, during the morning rush, and while the roads were clear and safe, the same could not be said of social media, where he was shamed for not thoroughly cleaning snow off his hood and windshield.  

The Insider takes aim at social media shamers.

Investigations later revealed that the snow amounts on the hood of the car were exaggerated by the camera angle and proximity in the windshield mount, and a reckless situation had not taken place.  Despite that, we are told our correspondent went to Lowe's immediately after work to invest in a high tech snow and ice scraper for future events.

Couple Braves Hermine and Visits the Nota Republic!

Despite cloudy skies and moderate temperatures, we set out to head south towards the threat of Hermine and spend part of our Labor Day weekend in the Nota Republic.

The skies looked a tad intimidating but our spirits were not dampened.  We checked the forecast and felt it offered us a window to make it happen.

Our spirits never dampened as we headed out, until we got there.  While I was aware that this was primarily a business trip, I still hoped a chance to visit a remote land would afford some photo ops and maybe even an exotic meal or two.  

A few years back, my trip to the Dominican Republic was just wonderful.  This year's trip to the Nota Republic was in comparison, a disappointment.

While the people from both republics were very friendly and accommodating, the overall impact of the Dominican was far superior.   However, our entire trip to the Nota Republic only cost us 5 dollars, plus 35 cents for gas.  I guess it's true.  You get what you pay for.

The best photo ops occurred on our way home, at Lowes.  Here we see the weather control system they use to keep the bad weather out and let the good weather in.  Here in the business we refer to this as an Atmospheric Scrubber.

As we headed back north, skies cleared and we reflected on our time at the Nota Republic - definitely worth it for business but not exactly a "destination", especially when tropical weather threatens.  

The good news is you do not need to worry about travel insurance, as the costs are so reasonable.

Reptile Concerns Accompany Jonas

Winter storm Jonas is ramping up to become the event of the year in the Mid-Atlantic.  Granted blockbuster status earlier this week, and added honorary Jonas brother credentials, the storm has all the makings of a "celebrity to be".

However, it's not all smiles and sunshine.  The National Weather Service has issued a Lizard Warning from Friday through Sunday.  

It seems the cold temperatures and snow would be dangerous for these cold blooded species.  We asked Art Beckman, herpetologist from the Philadelphia Zoo why he felt a lizard warning was issued and not a snake warning.  He explained,"while this IS an unusual warning, I can only imagine it's the legs and toes issues.  Lizards have legs and toes.  They are much more susceptible to frostbite and winter related set backs.  Snakes are all core, and the core is the last part of the body to be affected."

Signs that your reptile may be suffering and need a warm rock and sun would be a loss of color, irritated look, and deformed toes, as the above example illustrates.

As people prepare for the weather, we sent our staff photographer out this morning and he was able to visit about 35 grocery stores in the area, and photograph what we believe are the last of the milk, bread and eggs that our region will see until late Monday.

We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated as Jonas makes its way into the area.

Chester County in the Bulls-eye? Some Models Say Yes!

Chester County residents are bracing for what could be the biggest snow event of the season, making recent events look like trivial dustings...which they were.  This weekend things are in place for a winter storm to be named later to develop and ravage the mid-atlantic before heading up the east coast and developing into a Nor'Easter.

We at the Insider know it is hard to really take a winter storm seriously until it has a name.  But don't be lulled into complacency by the anonymity of this little low pressure devil.

As things set up, the two most reliable weather models show slightly different forecasts, but both spell significant snow for our region.

Sally, the US GFS Weather Model had this to say:

"Well, so far it's been like, uh, pretty mild, but now it's cold, and when that happens the rain we normally get freezes and becomes snow.  And I drew this map and I say the bulls-eye is like right here, to the west of philly."

Sally is predicting a total of 2-3 feet for our area, the highest of any place on the east coast.

Other models feel that the storm will be a little stronger to the south and west.

Ulf, our European model had this to say:

"Vee sink zee storm shall be more strong a bit to zee lower states.  Eet is in ziss areas zat zee totals will exceed 90 cm, or as you say 3 ft."

Even Ulf feels Chester County could see 12-18 inches.  Avongrove Schools have already scheduled an inservice day on Monday, so students can sled their way to stores and get any bread or eggs that their parents forgot to get Thursday.  "We consulted the Farmer's Almanac last year and knew we were in for a doozy," said Ernie Sneed, head of transportation.

Winter Squall Alice Rocks Chester County

Our first significant weather event whipped up yesterday afternoon and into the night. The warm generous Mother Nature that had cared for us this winter season turned her back on us, and then released her wrath.

This was the scene as temperatures plummeted from the low 40s into the lower 40s and finally dipped into the 30s causing many a resident to zipper their coat.

In the evening it worsened as flakes fell from the sky in rapid succession.  We had our top reporters out on the road, and we can report that visibility was slightly decreased by the intensity of what some are dubbing the squall of the century.  However, in a press conference, Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has announced he will call it the squaw of the century.

The squall forced many to use their wipers and defrosters if they braved the conditions. 

Dave Renz reported that many braved the storm to get salt...not sidewalk salt, as much as table salt. Others in the area prepared for the event by buying bread and milk.  Clearly those seeking these sources of processed food and salt on a winter evening are addicted to the poisons that have become staples in the upside down US diet, and should probably read our health blog, Newtritarian.

Field reporter Brian Holden captured the fall out in the southern corner of the county.

The folks in this neighborhood were mostly waiting it out before tackling the remnants of the Squall of 2016.  "We'll have time in the morning to deal with this mess," said Bob Castaldi.

All Chester County Schools are scheduled to be opening on time thanks to the efforts of the communities to clear the streets from the storm's dastardly doings.  However, keep your eyes on the skies... We have a feeling many of you may not be risking a frigid commute on Monday.

Until next storm, be safe and be warm.

Chester County Dreams of Wet Christmas

Christmas 2015 was one for the ages as old man spring reared his ugly head and blasted the region with mild temperatures and warm rain.

While the warm temperature was a blessing for many in the region who have lost weight reading the Insider Inc.'s health blog, "Newtritarian", it created some problems for Santa as he moved through the region.

Just south of the Poconos, our Weather Insider Santa Tracker picked up this troubled Santa at dawn.  However, within a short time some friendly elves in the Warm Weather Troubleshooting Division airlifted in a solution, and in a flash Santa was on his way again.

Santa was able to make his remaining stops in Chester County using this 2 wheleled sleigh, before ditching it when it ran out of gas as he crossed into Jersey.

This unusual Subtropic blast, referred to in serious weather circles as "La Piñata" gets its name from the warm temperatures associated with Cinco de Mayo and the way water dumps from the sky as if a giant Piñata has been bashed over our region.

Santa was able to deal with the warm weather and unusual amounts of water in style - here he is finishing up deliveries along the Black Horse Pike in nearby NJ, humming the beach boy classic "Little St. Nick" and making the most of this year's unusual circumstances.

We at the Insider would encourage you to be safe this holiday season. Check in on elderly neighbors and relatives to make sure none are in danger of heat stroke, and make sure they are staying hydrated.

La Piñata is expected to influence the region for at least a few more weeks.  We will have more updates when our weather models have new information.

Our current model seems to really have no idea what to expect.