Hoping for snow this weekend (bet you didn't expect that)

Hubble spies large mystery plume on Mars
(Photo and full story available widely, including here)

In reflecting on the precipitation possibilities for Saturday/Sunday (see yesterday's post), it's not just what will be coming down (rain/ice/snow) that's the problem - it's also how that precipitation may interact with what's already on the ground, trees, roof-tops, etc. A prolonged period of freezing rain or ice (which is looking increasingly possible for us) would permeate or encapsulate the snowpack, making it even heavier than it is now. That could mean widespread power outages, more roof cave-ins, and general grinding-to-a-halt everywhere. (Think "Snowtober 2011" in a much colder, snow-laden February.) Here's hoping it stays all-snow wherever you are - it would seem to be the least worst scenario right now. Clearing your roof as needed and getting stand-by supplies for a power outage would be a smart way to prepare over the next few days, just in case.

In other possibly weather-related news, giant plumes of gas are erupting from Mars and nobody knows why. I don't know if that's ominous or not, but it does distract from more earthly concerns.