This morning, the Newton Patch published a summary of predictions for snow accumulations between now and Tuesday. They range from 12″-18″ at the low end to 20″-24″ at the high end. No matter how you cut it, it looks like we’ve got yet one more big storm coming.
Unlike the previous big ones, this one will be unfolding in slow motion between now and Tuesday, so there’s a much better chance of keeping ahead of it with the plows – that’s the good news. The big problem is all those snowbanks. With all the leftover snow from our earlier storms there’s no where to put the new snow.
There’s not much we can do about it now. It’s too late for the tradional response. So kick back, and enjoy this unlikely mashup instead.
Any physics experts out there? I have a question:
I have a stand alone, unheated garage with, not surprisingly, a LOT of snow on all four sides of its slanted roof. I also have a roof rake but because of a fence and other obstacles I am only able to rake, two of the four sides.
Should I do so? Or is the relatively equal weight on four sides better for the roof than having two sides weigh less that the other two?
You don’t need a physics expert. This sounds like a job for a local, high price high value structural engineer. And if you are disinclined to retain said engineer, default by clearing the entire roof, even if it is not easy.
Greg,
Are all 4 surfaces about equal in size?,.. Or radically different ? Are exterior walls bulging out ? Usually the result of the lack of collar ties ( horizontal roof framing acting in tension keeping the roof from sagging and walls bulging out ).
Does the framing look like it is sagging? Has this garage been here for a long time? Is the framing old time old growth real 2″x ( stronger ) lumber ? I leave mine alone ( circa 1912 ), its survived so far all these years. Most roof failures these days are with new light ( cheap ) construction, ( Supermarkets, school houses etc.) or rotting conditions due to roof leaks left untended.
@Blueprint: Yes all four sides equal and it’s probably about the same age as yours, early 1900s. Brick. Everything looks fine, just a lot of snow up there.
We don’t get a lot of calls on our landline. So when the phone rang just before 6 tonight we all guessed correctly that it was David Fleishman. No school kids.
Now, we’re waiting for Aaron Goldman, our other regular caller.