It's been a while since we've had a big snow event in New Jersey. Back in 2016 we had a storm hit which put up over 20 inches of snow on the ground in some parts of the State. While some people just think of snow totals what makes some storms worse is the makeup of what hits the ground.
This weekend we're going to get a mix of ice and snow which can really hamper snow removal and make driving treacherous. The question for this storm will be what comes first the chicken or the egg in the ice or the snow. Fluffy snow first at least gives you the chance to get out and shovel more easily before it's encapsulated in ice.
As with usual snow storm predictions the question is where is that "line" between just snow and real snow. The 95 corridor and the Delaware River always seem to be a dividing line but this storm is looking like a north and south event with Central Jersey and north getting the worst of it.
While most readers here come for the fly fishing you know that this weekend is TFFS in Edison. I heard yesterday was a good Friday opener and today should be very busy as there's uncertainty as to what's going to happen for Sunday. Like I've said maybe Edison should be a two-day show anyway. For those vendors or attendees that travel it might be an early exit on Saturday after the doors close at 6 pm. That would give them hours to get back home or risk being stranded in Edison and at one of the local hotels. So if you're going, go today.
And let's circle back to the snow storm and more specifically snow removal. I think most of the readers here are probably up in age. You're not the guy or gal you used to be. You're not in great shape anymore. You eat poorly and live a basically sedentary lifestyle. That annual, well really you don't go every year, physical reveals the same results, your cholesterol is high, you need to lose some weight, and your blood pressure is creeping up. Throw in beers and a few heaters from time to time and you know. So testing your left ventricle this weekend trying to save a few bucks on snow removal may not be the best idea.
If you do test the limits and suffer any chest discomfort don't play around. Chest pain comes from your heart not getting enough oxygen to the heart muscle that keeps you alive. There's two different things that could be going on angina or myocardial infarction, with the first option being better then the latter. If you've been giving a script for nitroglycerin then make sure you have it handy. If you take a baby aspirin each day or a few times a week then make sure you have one on board. But if you experience chest pain go to the ER, time is heart muscle.
Yesterday I didn't make TTFS as I started an ER rotation with the nursing students. I can tell you that in some ER somewhere they're laying down bets on what time the first snow shoveling massive heart attack, or MI, will come through the door. It's kind of like the same betting on days like the 4th of July, like when the first M-80 blown apart fingers will come through the door.
So don't be that guy or girl. Don't think you'll offend the 20-something year old kids you still have living in the house by asking, well telling them, to handle ALL of the shoveling. They don't even pay you rent! In the end it might just save you some cardiac muscle. And stay off the roads! Just because you think you can drive in your newer all wheel drive Subaru doesn't mean the other people on the road have AWD OR 4WD vehicles and know how to drive in bad weather.
So go to TFFS early, then stop by ShopRite on the way home and pick up whatever is left on the shelves, and wake up Sunday planning on sitting on the couch watching the late NFL football games. Monday will be a snow day for the kiddies and the old folks unless your an essential person, like a cop, firemen, nurse, or doctor- who'll be ready to take your out of shape chest pain ass to the cardiac cath lab when that chest pain kicks in. Be safe out there!
