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.  

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.