Associated Press, via FoxNews.com (December 12, 2010)
"The inflatable roof of the Minnesota Vikings' stadium collapsed Sunday and roads were closed throughout the upper Midwest as a storm that dumped nearly 2 feet of snow in some areas continued to crawl across the region.
"A blizzard warning was in effect for parts of eastern Iowa, southeastern Wisconsin, northwestern Illinois, and northern Michigan, according to the National Weather Service. Surrounding areas including Chicago were under winter storm warnings.
"The Metrodome's Teflon roof collapsed after Minneapolis got more than 17 inches of snow. No injuries were reported. The snowfall that ended Saturday night was one of the five biggest in Twin Cities history, National Weather Service meteorologist James McQuirter said. Some surrounding communities got more than 21 inches of snow, he said...."
Here in central Minnesota, where the Lemming lives, we've got a wind chill advisory. At the moment, it's a comparatively balmy eight degrees above zero, Fahrenheit: with the wind making it feel like about minus six. Hence "wind chill" of minus six.
The sun is setting: and we're told to expect wind chill overnight of around minus 25 or 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The advisory helpfully suggests, to folks out taking a stroll: "...make sure you wear a hat and gloves."
It's good advice, actually.
(WunderMap® by wunderground.com, used w/o permission)
A Minneapolis, Minnesota, news station, WITI, was at the right/wrong place at the right/wrong time, and got video of the Metrodome collapse.
Good news: nobody got hurt. Bad news: there's a lot of rescheduling going on.
"VIDEO: FOX exclusive video of the Metrodome collapse in Minneapolis"
WITI / FOX6NOW.com (December 12, 2010)
More:
"Metrodome Collapses; Massive Blizzard Hits Midwest"
Kevin Dolak, ABC News/US (December 12, 2010)
"Harsh weather has caused massive road closures across the Midwest, caused the cancellation of all inbound and outbound flights in a number of Midwestern airports and has collapsed the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn.
"The panels of the Metrodome roof started giving way around 5 a.m. and deflated after the storm, which dumped more than 17 inches of snow on the city, Chairman of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission Roy Terwilliger told ABC News affiliate KSTP in Minneapolis - St. Paul.
"A Sunday NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Minnesota Vikings had already been pushed to Monday, as the Giants were stranded in Kansas City, unable to reach Minneapolis after the Twin Cities' airport was closed.
"Terwilliger says this has only happened three other times in the Metrodome history, the last being on April 14, 1983...."
"Winter storm packs snow, sleet, wind across area"
Sven Sundgaard, KARE11.com (December 12, 2010)
"The Twin Cities area including Minneapolis and St. Paul, remains under a Winter Storm Warning as a major winter storm continues to roll through the region Saturday, causing event cancellations, snow emergencies and slippery driving conditions.
"Snow fell throughout Friday night in the southern and central part of Minnesota and into western Wisconsin. Ice and sleet have been mixing in throughout the night and into Saturday along the Interstate 90 (I-90) corridor in southern Minnesota creating slick driving conditions. At 11 a.m., the Minnesota Department of Transportation closed I-90 from Albert Lea to the South Dakota border and advise no travel in southeastern Minnesota.
"Snowfall amounts range from 12 to 20 inches across the metro with an official total of 16.5" at MSP Airport through 6:00 PM Saturday...."
There isn't quite so much snow here in central Minnesota. As for the wind chill? The Lemming grew up near the North Dakota/Minnesota border: so this isn't particularly unfamiliar weather.
And the Lemming has been wearing a hat and gloves.
No comments:
Post a Comment