Yes, there's a Jeep under there somewhere

Snow adds its own perspective to the landscape and transforms even mundane, everyday machines into a work of winterland art.

The transformation of my Jeep Wrangler from utilitarian daily driver into a work of snow art by Friday night’s snow storm almost made me want to leave it undisturbed Saturday but I needed the Jeep to get to town so I preserved this latest piece of Mother Nature’s handiwork by camera before taking the broom to the snow and clearing off the vehicle for the trek through the deep snow down our long, steep driveway.

Memo to self: Remember to put the snow blower in a more accessible location before the next big snowfall. A dead battery on my tractor combined with deep snow that blocked the doors of the utility shed where both the snow blower and shovels awaited prohibited use of either on Saturday.

Floyd Countians began digging out Saturday as the worst snowstorm in more than a decade moved northward, leaving a foot-and-a-half or more in the area and even more elsewhere.

Those who ventured out found the main roads passable but many secondary routes covered with drifting snow and untouched by snow plows.

In Floyd, few businesses opened. Food Lion and Slaughters served those who needed last minute staples while Pizza Inn displayed the only open light among restaurants.  Floyd X-Press Mart, West-End Market and E-Z Stop were open as well.

At Farmers Supply, Janice Yearout Patton held fort but told those looking for snow shovels that she had sold all but the smaller, flat-blade models. She also sold a room full of sleds on Friday before the storm started.

Mark Warren was out of his bicycle, making a run to the post office.

Some reports from Indian Valley said up to 27 inches of snow fell. Blackburg reported 14 inches, Radford 13. We had 14 inches at our house with drifts up to 25 inches.

The National Weather Service predicts winds and freezing temperatures tonight, meaning even more problems on Sunday.

Sunset over the Blue Ridge

The clouds broke open Sunday afternoon after a Saturday night’s freezing rain.

On my way to a meeting in Roanoke I was surprised to find more ice at the bottom of Bent Mountain than on top but warming temperatures later in the day left the road clear for the trip back home.

The forecast calls for temperatures in the mid-50s on Monday followed by — you guessed it — more rain.

Frozen Ground at Chateau Thompson

OK, 17 degrees is cold and two straight nights of sub-freezing temperatures is turning part of the tundra of Chateau Thompson into a winter wonderland. And the forecast says something about an “icy mix” Saturday night.

Then Monday will bring temperatures in the mid 50s.

Yes, that was ice on the trees, the ground and underfoot this morning. Some of the rain that fell overnight froze. Not enough for a major storm, mind you, but enough to close schools and cause some power interruptions.

With temperatures expected to climb into the 50s today, the ice will disappear soone enough. Good thing because it turns cold again tonight and ice and sleet are expected Saturday.