We called it that... the April 97 Blizzard. As many you know, we (Robin) reports to the National Weather Service as an observer. Our station is Hereford 12SW. That April storm had lots of wind as you can see in the picture of the snowdrift. We had 17 inches of good wet snow... and then over the course of the next four days we had another five inches... and it stayed cold throughout the week. That proved pretty hard on the calves. We lost a considerable percentage of our calf crop along with eight cows that had drifted into our big dam and drowned. One cow made it though about three feet of water and I when I rode up on her on horseback, she was completely covered with ice. She sounded like jingle bells when she walked. She did survive however.
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I have included two more pics that show the result of sufficient moisture... Plenty of water and grass and the wheat crop was good as well.
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Not everyone can handle living in this region... however we choose to... and we are better for it. And I believe the we understand a little better than most of who is really in control.
Around 3:30... cleared up for just a short while. This is the view out of front window. Danny had spent yesterday and last nite in town, but was able to get fuel filters picked up and brought home in that time period. Yes the tractor had gelled up... and yes Danny's mode of transportation (the pickup) is still parked up the road on the other side of snowdrifts. The good news is that they were able to get the tractor running and everyone is home. It is still blowing... around -45 degree chill factor. We are just grateful that all are home. Praying for the livestock.. our community... the region. This has been a tough go.
Wednesday was tough... 30-50 mph winds with lots of drifting...
Today... Thursday was the toughest day so far.. Winds gusting to mid fifties... lots more snow... whiteout conditions most of the day.... Drifts are building... two feet plus of snow... but who knows... wind has been more than constant.
Blizzard warning continues into tomorrow and more snow... Temps next week dropping to minus 20... It is winter folks.
Current Temp Officially 15 degrees... winds presently 36 mph gusting to 44 mph Wind chill at -6... and still snowing
The stock fared well in this storm. Different than Storm Atlas when they did not have winter hair. Some pretty big drifts...70+mph winds moved things around pretty good. And the day after was beautiful.
The Original Homestead Shack...No on live here now, but 90 some years ago, this was home to the Reinhold family. Can you imagine living with your family on the wide open plains during a blizzard?
